You are all now seniors. Good luck!
Chuck says good luck also.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Final Exam Review
For the final you should look through your notes, and study the following works:
The Iliad
Beowulf
A Doll House
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Macbeth
You should have a good knowledge of the major characters as well as cultural norms of the era in which they are set.
Good luck.
The Iliad
Beowulf
A Doll House
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Macbeth
You should have a good knowledge of the major characters as well as cultural norms of the era in which they are set.
Good luck.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Troy
We are currently viewing the film Troy, based on The Iliad.
There are also 2 options available for extra credit. Students must see me if they wish to complete one of them.
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Iliad-HW for Monday
Students are to complete the following assignment for Monday:
The Iliad-“The Arms of Achilles” Book 18-20pts
Write a reaction to Achilles’ behavior when he learns of Patroclus’ death. Where does he focus his rage? Is this appropriate? How important is the feud with Agamemnon?
"Son of warlike Peleus,you must hear this dreadful news—somethingI wish weren't so—Patroclus lies dead. Men are fighting now around the body.He's stripped. Hector with his gleaming helmethas the armour."
Antilochus finished speaking.A black cloud of grief swallowed up Achilles.With both hands he scooped up soot and dust and poured iton his head, covering his handsome face with dirt,covering his sweet-smelling tunic with black ash. He lay sprawling—his mighty warrior's massive bodycollapsed and stretched out in the dust. With his hands,he tugged at his own hair, disfiguring himself.The women slaves acquired as battle trophiesby Achilles and Patroclus, hearts overwhelmed with anguish, began to scream aloud. They rushed outsideand beat their breasts around warlike Achilles. Then all the women's legs gave way, and they fell down.Across from them, Antilochus lamented,eyes full of tears, as he held Achilles by the hand. Achilles' noble heart moaned aloud. Antilochusfeared he might hurt himself or slit his throatwith his own sword. Achilles gave a huge cry of grief.His noble mother heard it from the ocean depthswhere she was sitting by her ancient father.She began to wail. Then around her gatheredall the divine daughters of Nereus deep in the sea—Glauce, Thaleia, Cymodoce, Nesaea,Speio, Thoe, ox-eyed Halië, Cymothoë, Actaia, Limnoreia, Melite, Iaera, Amphithoe, Agave, Doto, Proto,Pherousa, Dynamene, Dexamene,Amphinome, Callianeira, Doris, Panope,lovely Galatea, Nemertes, Apseudes,Callianassa. Also there were Clymene,Ianeira, Ianassa, Maera, Orithyia,Amatheia with her lovely hair, and others,Nereus' daughters living in the ocean depths.fThey filled the glistening cave,beating their breasts.
"Yes, Mother,Olympian Zeus has indeed accomplishedwhat I asked. But what pleasure's there for me, when Patroclus, my beloved companion,has been destroyed, the man I honouredas my equal, above all my comrades. I've lost him and the armour, which Hector took,once he'd killed him, that massive armour,so wonderful to look at, which the godsgave as a priceless gift to Peleuson that day they placed you in the bedof a mortal man. If only you had stayedamong the eternal maidens of the seaand Peleus had married a mortal wife.But now there'll be innumerable sorrowswaiting for your heart, once your child is killed. You won't be welcoming him back home again. My own heart has no desire to live on,to continue living among men,unless Hector is hit by my spear first,losing his life and paying me compensationfor killing Menoetius' son, Patroclus."
Through her tears, Thetis then answered Achilles:
"My son, from what you've just been saying,you're fated to an early death, for your doomcomes quickly as soon as Hector dies."
Swift-footed Achilles answered her with passion:
"Then let me die, since I could not preventthe death of my companion.
How does Achilles turn the tide of battle without even fighting? What promise does he make to Patroclus?
He strode from the wall, then stood there by the ditch.But recalling what his mother said to him,he didn't mingle with Achaeans. As he stood there,he cried out. From far away, Pallas Athena added her voice, too, causing great consternationamong the Trojans. As thrilling as a trumpet's notewhen it rings clearly, when rapacious enemies besiege a city—that's how sharp and piercingAchilles' voice was then. When the Trojans heard it,that brazen shout Achilles gave, all their heartswere shaken. Their horses with the lovely manesturned back the chariots, anticipating troublein their hearts. Charioteers were terrified, seeingthe fearful inextinguishable fire blazing from the head of the great-hearted son of Peleus.For Athena, goddess with the glittering eyes,kept it burning. Three times godlike Achilles yelledacross that ditch. Three times Trojans and their allieswere thrown into confusion. At that moment, twelve of their best men were killed by their own chariots and their own spears. Achaeans then, with stronger hearts,pulled Patroclus out of spear range and laid him on a cot.His dear companions gathered mourning round him,Achilles with them, shedding hot tears when he saw his loyal companion lying on a death bed,mutilated by sharp bronze. He'd sent him out to warwith chariot and horses, but never welcomed himat his return.
_________________________________________________________
And now, Patroclus, since I'm journeying under the earth after you, I'll postponeyour burial till I bring here Hector's head,his armour, too, the man who slaughtered you,you courageous man. I'll cut the throats of twelve fine Trojan children on your pyre,in my anger at your killing. Till that time,you'll lie like this with me by my beaked ships,and round you Trojan and Dardanian womenwill keep lamenting night and day, shedding tears, the very women we two worked hard to winwith our strength and our long spears, by lootingprosperous cities of mortal men."
The Iliad-“The Arms of Achilles” Book 18-20pts
Write a reaction to Achilles’ behavior when he learns of Patroclus’ death. Where does he focus his rage? Is this appropriate? How important is the feud with Agamemnon?
"Son of warlike Peleus,you must hear this dreadful news—somethingI wish weren't so—Patroclus lies dead. Men are fighting now around the body.He's stripped. Hector with his gleaming helmethas the armour."
Antilochus finished speaking.A black cloud of grief swallowed up Achilles.With both hands he scooped up soot and dust and poured iton his head, covering his handsome face with dirt,covering his sweet-smelling tunic with black ash. He lay sprawling—his mighty warrior's massive bodycollapsed and stretched out in the dust. With his hands,he tugged at his own hair, disfiguring himself.The women slaves acquired as battle trophiesby Achilles and Patroclus, hearts overwhelmed with anguish, began to scream aloud. They rushed outsideand beat their breasts around warlike Achilles. Then all the women's legs gave way, and they fell down.Across from them, Antilochus lamented,eyes full of tears, as he held Achilles by the hand. Achilles' noble heart moaned aloud. Antilochusfeared he might hurt himself or slit his throatwith his own sword. Achilles gave a huge cry of grief.His noble mother heard it from the ocean depthswhere she was sitting by her ancient father.She began to wail. Then around her gatheredall the divine daughters of Nereus deep in the sea—Glauce, Thaleia, Cymodoce, Nesaea,Speio, Thoe, ox-eyed Halië, Cymothoë, Actaia, Limnoreia, Melite, Iaera, Amphithoe, Agave, Doto, Proto,Pherousa, Dynamene, Dexamene,Amphinome, Callianeira, Doris, Panope,lovely Galatea, Nemertes, Apseudes,Callianassa. Also there were Clymene,Ianeira, Ianassa, Maera, Orithyia,Amatheia with her lovely hair, and others,Nereus' daughters living in the ocean depths.fThey filled the glistening cave,beating their breasts.
"Yes, Mother,Olympian Zeus has indeed accomplishedwhat I asked. But what pleasure's there for me, when Patroclus, my beloved companion,has been destroyed, the man I honouredas my equal, above all my comrades. I've lost him and the armour, which Hector took,once he'd killed him, that massive armour,so wonderful to look at, which the godsgave as a priceless gift to Peleuson that day they placed you in the bedof a mortal man. If only you had stayedamong the eternal maidens of the seaand Peleus had married a mortal wife.But now there'll be innumerable sorrowswaiting for your heart, once your child is killed. You won't be welcoming him back home again. My own heart has no desire to live on,to continue living among men,unless Hector is hit by my spear first,losing his life and paying me compensationfor killing Menoetius' son, Patroclus."
Through her tears, Thetis then answered Achilles:
"My son, from what you've just been saying,you're fated to an early death, for your doomcomes quickly as soon as Hector dies."
Swift-footed Achilles answered her with passion:
"Then let me die, since I could not preventthe death of my companion.
How does Achilles turn the tide of battle without even fighting? What promise does he make to Patroclus?
He strode from the wall, then stood there by the ditch.But recalling what his mother said to him,he didn't mingle with Achaeans. As he stood there,he cried out. From far away, Pallas Athena added her voice, too, causing great consternationamong the Trojans. As thrilling as a trumpet's notewhen it rings clearly, when rapacious enemies besiege a city—that's how sharp and piercingAchilles' voice was then. When the Trojans heard it,that brazen shout Achilles gave, all their heartswere shaken. Their horses with the lovely manesturned back the chariots, anticipating troublein their hearts. Charioteers were terrified, seeingthe fearful inextinguishable fire blazing from the head of the great-hearted son of Peleus.For Athena, goddess with the glittering eyes,kept it burning. Three times godlike Achilles yelledacross that ditch. Three times Trojans and their allieswere thrown into confusion. At that moment, twelve of their best men were killed by their own chariots and their own spears. Achaeans then, with stronger hearts,pulled Patroclus out of spear range and laid him on a cot.His dear companions gathered mourning round him,Achilles with them, shedding hot tears when he saw his loyal companion lying on a death bed,mutilated by sharp bronze. He'd sent him out to warwith chariot and horses, but never welcomed himat his return.
_________________________________________________________
And now, Patroclus, since I'm journeying under the earth after you, I'll postponeyour burial till I bring here Hector's head,his armour, too, the man who slaughtered you,you courageous man. I'll cut the throats of twelve fine Trojan children on your pyre,in my anger at your killing. Till that time,you'll lie like this with me by my beaked ships,and round you Trojan and Dardanian womenwill keep lamenting night and day, shedding tears, the very women we two worked hard to winwith our strength and our long spears, by lootingprosperous cities of mortal men."
Friday, May 23, 2008
HW for Wednesday 5/28
Students are to complete the following assignment for Wednesday 5/28:
The Iliad-books 12 & 14-(20pts)
“The Fight at the Barricade”
This is the single most powerful image of Hector. What heroic qualities does he display?
"Drive forward, you horse-taming Trojans. Breach that Argive wall. Then burn the shipswith a huge fire."
With these words, he drove them on.Their ears all caught his call. Hurling themselves at the wallin a dense mass, gripping sharp spears, they began to climb. Hector picked up a rock lying before the gates,thick at its base but tapering sharply on the top. Two of the best working men now livingcould not lever that stone out of the ground easilyinto their cart, but Hector carried it with ease alone.Crooked-minded Cronos' son made it light for him. Just as a shepherd has no trouble carrying a ram's fleece in one hand, hardly noticing the weight,so Hector lifted up that rock, then carried it straight to the doors guarding the strongly fitted gates, high double doors with two cross pieces holding them insidesecured with a single bolt. Hector moved up closer,planted himself before the doors, his legs wide apartto throw with greater force, then hurled that rockright at the centre of the doors. He smashed both hinges. The stone's momentum took it clear through the doors.The gates groaned loudly. The bolts were sheared right off. The impact of that boulder shattered all the planks.Glorious Hector, his face like night's swift darkness,leapt inside. The bronze which covered his whole body was a terrifying glitter. In his hand he held two spears.Once he'd jumped inside the gates, no one moving out to stop him could hold him back, except the gods.From his eyes fire blazed. Wheeling through the throng,he shouted to his Trojans to climb the wall.His men responded to his call. Some scaled the wall,others came pouring through the hole made in the gates.Danaans were driven back among their hollow ships in a rout, and the noisy tumult never stopped.
“Zeus Deceived”
How/why is Hera able to deceive Zeus so easily? What is the modern relevance of this scene?
As this was happening, on a peak of Mount OlympusHera of the golden throne was standing watching.She recognized her brother-in-law at once,as he kept busy in the war where men win glory,for he was her brother and her husband's, too. Hera's heart was pleased. She looked across at Zeus, sitting on the highest peak on top of Ida,with its many fountains. Hatred filled her heart.So ox-eyed queen Hera then began consideringhow she might deceive the mind of aegis-bearing Zeus. In her heart the best course of action seemed to beto make herself look most attractive, go to Ida,then see if Zeus would want to lie down with her,embrace her, and make love. Then she could pour outon his eyelids and his crafty mind a deep warm sleep. She went off to her bedroom, which Hephaestus,her dear son, had made for her, with close-fitting doorsset against their posts, secured with a secret lock,which no other god could open. She went in there,then closed the shining doors. First, with ambrosia she washed from her lovely body all the stains,then rubbed her skin with fragrant oil, divinely sweet,made specially for her. If this perfume were merely stirredinside Zeus' bronze-floored house, its scent would then diffusethroughout heaven and earth. She used this perfume all over her fair body, then arranged her hair. With her own hands she combed her shining locks in braids,a stunning style for an immortal goddess.Then she wrapped around herself a heavenly robe,which Athena made for her from silky fabric,adorning it with gorgeous embroidery.She pinned the robe around her breast with golden brooches. On her waist she put a belt with a hundred tassels.Hera then fixed earrings in her pierced ear lobes,each with three gemstones, an enchanting glitter. Next the queen of goddesses placed on her head a fine new dazzling shawl, white as the sun.She then slipped lovely sandals over her sleek feet.
Once Hera had dressed her body in this finery,she left the room and summoned Aphrodite.Some distance from the other gods, she said to her:
"My dear child, will you agree to do what I ask of you, or will you refuse,because you're angry with me in your heart,since I help Danaans and you aid the Trojans?"
Zeus' daughter Aphrodite answered her:
"Hera, honoured goddess, daughter of great Cronos,say what's on your mind. My heart tells meI should do what you ask, if I can,if it's something that can be carried out."
Then queen Hera, with her devious mind, replied:
"Then give me Love and Sexual Desire,which you use to master all immortals,and mortal men as well. I'm going to visitthe limits of this all-nourishing earth, to see Oceanus, from whom the gods arose, and mother Tethys, the two who reared me,taking good care of me inside their home,once they got me from Rhea, that time Zeus,who sees far and wide, forced Cronosunderground, under the restless seas.I'm going to visit them. And I'll resolvetheir endless quarrel. For a long time now,they've stayed apart from one another,not sharing love there in the marriage bed, since anger fills their hearts. If my wordscould reconcile the hearts in these two gods,bring them to bed again, once more in love,they'd think of me with loving reverence."
Laughter-loving Aphrodite answered Hera:
"It wouldn't be appropriate for meto say no to your demand, since you sleepin the arms of Zeus, the greatest of the gods."
Aphrodite spoke, then loosened from her breaststhe finely decorated, embroidered garment in which all her magic charms were fixed—for love, erotic lust, flirtation, and seduction,which steals the wits even of clear-thinking men.Aphrodite put this in Hera's hands, then said:
"Take this garment. Tie it round your breasts.Everything is interwoven in the cloth. I don't think you'll come back unsuccessfulin getting what it is your heart desires."
Hera sped off, leaving the crest of mount Olympus.
There she met Sleep, Death's brother. Clasping his hand,she spoke to him:
"Sleep, king of all men and gods,if you've ever listened to what I say, obey me now. I'll be grateful always. Lull Zeus' radiant eyes to sleep for me,when I'm stretched out for sex beside him.I'll give you as a gift a lovely throne,indestructible gold which my own sonHephaestus with his ambidextrous skillswill make for you. Under it he'll set a stool, so you can rest your feet when drinking wine."
Sweet Sleep then said in reply:
"Honoured goddess Hera,daughter of mighty Cronos, I could with ease bring some other immortal one to sleep, even the streams of river Ocean,the source of all of them. But I won't comenear Zeus, lull him to sleep, unless he bids me,asks in person. Your request some time agotaught me my lesson, on that very day when Hercules, son of almighty Zeus,set sail from Ilion, after he'd sackedthe Trojans' city. That's when I seducedthe mind of aegis-bearing Zeus, pouring my sweetness over him. You then carried evil in your heart for Hercules, drivingblasts of hostile winds across the sea,taking him at last to well-settled Cos,far from all his friends. When Zeus woke up,he was incensed, throwing gods around his house,looking, above all, for me. He'd have tossed mefrom heaven into the sea, if Night,who subdues gods and men, had not saved me. I ran away to her, and Zeus held back though still enraged, not wishing to offend swift Night. Now here you are again, asking meto do something I simply must not do."
Ox-eyed queen Hera then answered him:
"Sleep,why concern your heart about these matters?Do you think all-seeing Zeus feels for Trojansthe same rage he felt then for Hercules,his own son? But come, I'll give you as your wifeone of the younger Graces. You can marryPasithea, whom you long for every day."
Hera finished. Sleep was overjoyed and said:
"All right, then. Swear to me by watersof the inviolable river Styx, settingone hand on the all-nourishing earth,the other on the shimmering sea,so all may witness our agreement,even those gods underground with Cronos,that you will give me one of the Graces,Pasithea, whom I long for every day."
White-armed goddess Hera agreed to Sleep's request.
Hera moved quickly on to Ida's peak, high Gargarus.Cloud-gatherer Zeus caught sight of her. As he looked,his wise heart became suffused with sexual desire,as strong as when they'd first made love together,lying on a couch without their parents' knowledge. Zeus stood up in front of her, called her, and said:
"Hera, what are you looking for, comingdown here from Olympus? Your chariotand your horses are not here. You should use them."
Queen Hera with her crafty mind then answered Zeus:
"I'm going to visit the outer limitsof this all-nourishing earth, to Oceanus,from whom gods came, and mother Tethys,who looked after me in their own home.They raised me well. I'll try to mediate their endless quarrel. For a long time now,they've stayed apart from one another,not sharing love there in the marriage bed,since anger fills their hearts. As for my horses,they're standing at the foot of Ida,with its many springs, to carry meacross dry land and sea. I've come here now,down from Mount Olympus, to stop youfrom being angry with me afterwards,if I say nothing about going to visit deep-flowing Oceanus in his home."
Cloud-gatherer Zeus then answered:
"Hera,you can go there later. But why don't welie down and make joyful love together?I've never felt such sexual desire beforefor any goddess, for any mortal woman.It's flooding through me, overpowering the hearthere in my chest—not even when I lusted forIxion's wife, who bore me Peirithoös,a man as wise as gods, or Danaë, with her enchanting ankles, daughter of Acrisius, who gave birth to Perseus, most illustrious of men, nor the daughterof famous Phoenix, who bore me Minosand godlike Rhadamanthus, nor Alcmene,who gave birth to Hercules in Thebes,a mighty hearted son, nor Semele,who bore that joy to mortals Dionysus,nor fair-haired lady Demeter, nor Leto,that glorious girl, not even for yourself—I felt for none of these the love I feelfor you right now—such sweet desire grips me."
Queen Hera with her cunning mind then said in reply:
"Most fearsome son of Cronos, what are you saying? If you now want us to make love lying here,on Ida’s peaks, where anyone can see,what if one of the immortal gods observes us,as we sleep, then goes and tells the other gods?I could not get up from this bed and gointo your home. That would be scandalous. But if that's your wish, if your heart's set on it, you have that bedroom your own son Hephaestus had built for you. It has close-fitting doorsfixed into posts. Let's go and lie down there,since you're so keen for us to go to bed."
Underneath them divine Earth made fresh flowers grow—dew-covered clover, crocuses, and hyacinths,lush and soft, to hold the lovers off the ground.They lay together there covered with a cloud, a lovely golden mist, from which fell glistening dew.Then Zeus slumbered peacefully on Mount Gargarus,overcome with love and sleep, his wife in his embrace.
Sweet Sleep rushed to the Achaean ships, to inform Poseidon, the Encircler and Shaker of the Earth.Coming up to him, Sleep spoke—his words had wings:
"Poseidon, you could now assist the Argivesquite readily and give them glory,if only for a while—Zeus is fast asleep.I’ve covered him with a delicious sleep.Hera has seduced him on a bed of love."
The Iliad-books 12 & 14-(20pts)
“The Fight at the Barricade”
This is the single most powerful image of Hector. What heroic qualities does he display?
"Drive forward, you horse-taming Trojans. Breach that Argive wall. Then burn the shipswith a huge fire."
With these words, he drove them on.Their ears all caught his call. Hurling themselves at the wallin a dense mass, gripping sharp spears, they began to climb. Hector picked up a rock lying before the gates,thick at its base but tapering sharply on the top. Two of the best working men now livingcould not lever that stone out of the ground easilyinto their cart, but Hector carried it with ease alone.Crooked-minded Cronos' son made it light for him. Just as a shepherd has no trouble carrying a ram's fleece in one hand, hardly noticing the weight,so Hector lifted up that rock, then carried it straight to the doors guarding the strongly fitted gates, high double doors with two cross pieces holding them insidesecured with a single bolt. Hector moved up closer,planted himself before the doors, his legs wide apartto throw with greater force, then hurled that rockright at the centre of the doors. He smashed both hinges. The stone's momentum took it clear through the doors.The gates groaned loudly. The bolts were sheared right off. The impact of that boulder shattered all the planks.Glorious Hector, his face like night's swift darkness,leapt inside. The bronze which covered his whole body was a terrifying glitter. In his hand he held two spears.Once he'd jumped inside the gates, no one moving out to stop him could hold him back, except the gods.From his eyes fire blazed. Wheeling through the throng,he shouted to his Trojans to climb the wall.His men responded to his call. Some scaled the wall,others came pouring through the hole made in the gates.Danaans were driven back among their hollow ships in a rout, and the noisy tumult never stopped.
“Zeus Deceived”
How/why is Hera able to deceive Zeus so easily? What is the modern relevance of this scene?
As this was happening, on a peak of Mount OlympusHera of the golden throne was standing watching.She recognized her brother-in-law at once,as he kept busy in the war where men win glory,for he was her brother and her husband's, too. Hera's heart was pleased. She looked across at Zeus, sitting on the highest peak on top of Ida,with its many fountains. Hatred filled her heart.So ox-eyed queen Hera then began consideringhow she might deceive the mind of aegis-bearing Zeus. In her heart the best course of action seemed to beto make herself look most attractive, go to Ida,then see if Zeus would want to lie down with her,embrace her, and make love. Then she could pour outon his eyelids and his crafty mind a deep warm sleep. She went off to her bedroom, which Hephaestus,her dear son, had made for her, with close-fitting doorsset against their posts, secured with a secret lock,which no other god could open. She went in there,then closed the shining doors. First, with ambrosia she washed from her lovely body all the stains,then rubbed her skin with fragrant oil, divinely sweet,made specially for her. If this perfume were merely stirredinside Zeus' bronze-floored house, its scent would then diffusethroughout heaven and earth. She used this perfume all over her fair body, then arranged her hair. With her own hands she combed her shining locks in braids,a stunning style for an immortal goddess.Then she wrapped around herself a heavenly robe,which Athena made for her from silky fabric,adorning it with gorgeous embroidery.She pinned the robe around her breast with golden brooches. On her waist she put a belt with a hundred tassels.Hera then fixed earrings in her pierced ear lobes,each with three gemstones, an enchanting glitter. Next the queen of goddesses placed on her head a fine new dazzling shawl, white as the sun.She then slipped lovely sandals over her sleek feet.
Once Hera had dressed her body in this finery,she left the room and summoned Aphrodite.Some distance from the other gods, she said to her:
"My dear child, will you agree to do what I ask of you, or will you refuse,because you're angry with me in your heart,since I help Danaans and you aid the Trojans?"
Zeus' daughter Aphrodite answered her:
"Hera, honoured goddess, daughter of great Cronos,say what's on your mind. My heart tells meI should do what you ask, if I can,if it's something that can be carried out."
Then queen Hera, with her devious mind, replied:
"Then give me Love and Sexual Desire,which you use to master all immortals,and mortal men as well. I'm going to visitthe limits of this all-nourishing earth, to see Oceanus, from whom the gods arose, and mother Tethys, the two who reared me,taking good care of me inside their home,once they got me from Rhea, that time Zeus,who sees far and wide, forced Cronosunderground, under the restless seas.I'm going to visit them. And I'll resolvetheir endless quarrel. For a long time now,they've stayed apart from one another,not sharing love there in the marriage bed, since anger fills their hearts. If my wordscould reconcile the hearts in these two gods,bring them to bed again, once more in love,they'd think of me with loving reverence."
Laughter-loving Aphrodite answered Hera:
"It wouldn't be appropriate for meto say no to your demand, since you sleepin the arms of Zeus, the greatest of the gods."
Aphrodite spoke, then loosened from her breaststhe finely decorated, embroidered garment in which all her magic charms were fixed—for love, erotic lust, flirtation, and seduction,which steals the wits even of clear-thinking men.Aphrodite put this in Hera's hands, then said:
"Take this garment. Tie it round your breasts.Everything is interwoven in the cloth. I don't think you'll come back unsuccessfulin getting what it is your heart desires."
Hera sped off, leaving the crest of mount Olympus.
There she met Sleep, Death's brother. Clasping his hand,she spoke to him:
"Sleep, king of all men and gods,if you've ever listened to what I say, obey me now. I'll be grateful always. Lull Zeus' radiant eyes to sleep for me,when I'm stretched out for sex beside him.I'll give you as a gift a lovely throne,indestructible gold which my own sonHephaestus with his ambidextrous skillswill make for you. Under it he'll set a stool, so you can rest your feet when drinking wine."
Sweet Sleep then said in reply:
"Honoured goddess Hera,daughter of mighty Cronos, I could with ease bring some other immortal one to sleep, even the streams of river Ocean,the source of all of them. But I won't comenear Zeus, lull him to sleep, unless he bids me,asks in person. Your request some time agotaught me my lesson, on that very day when Hercules, son of almighty Zeus,set sail from Ilion, after he'd sackedthe Trojans' city. That's when I seducedthe mind of aegis-bearing Zeus, pouring my sweetness over him. You then carried evil in your heart for Hercules, drivingblasts of hostile winds across the sea,taking him at last to well-settled Cos,far from all his friends. When Zeus woke up,he was incensed, throwing gods around his house,looking, above all, for me. He'd have tossed mefrom heaven into the sea, if Night,who subdues gods and men, had not saved me. I ran away to her, and Zeus held back though still enraged, not wishing to offend swift Night. Now here you are again, asking meto do something I simply must not do."
Ox-eyed queen Hera then answered him:
"Sleep,why concern your heart about these matters?Do you think all-seeing Zeus feels for Trojansthe same rage he felt then for Hercules,his own son? But come, I'll give you as your wifeone of the younger Graces. You can marryPasithea, whom you long for every day."
Hera finished. Sleep was overjoyed and said:
"All right, then. Swear to me by watersof the inviolable river Styx, settingone hand on the all-nourishing earth,the other on the shimmering sea,so all may witness our agreement,even those gods underground with Cronos,that you will give me one of the Graces,Pasithea, whom I long for every day."
White-armed goddess Hera agreed to Sleep's request.
Hera moved quickly on to Ida's peak, high Gargarus.Cloud-gatherer Zeus caught sight of her. As he looked,his wise heart became suffused with sexual desire,as strong as when they'd first made love together,lying on a couch without their parents' knowledge. Zeus stood up in front of her, called her, and said:
"Hera, what are you looking for, comingdown here from Olympus? Your chariotand your horses are not here. You should use them."
Queen Hera with her crafty mind then answered Zeus:
"I'm going to visit the outer limitsof this all-nourishing earth, to Oceanus,from whom gods came, and mother Tethys,who looked after me in their own home.They raised me well. I'll try to mediate their endless quarrel. For a long time now,they've stayed apart from one another,not sharing love there in the marriage bed,since anger fills their hearts. As for my horses,they're standing at the foot of Ida,with its many springs, to carry meacross dry land and sea. I've come here now,down from Mount Olympus, to stop youfrom being angry with me afterwards,if I say nothing about going to visit deep-flowing Oceanus in his home."
Cloud-gatherer Zeus then answered:
"Hera,you can go there later. But why don't welie down and make joyful love together?I've never felt such sexual desire beforefor any goddess, for any mortal woman.It's flooding through me, overpowering the hearthere in my chest—not even when I lusted forIxion's wife, who bore me Peirithoös,a man as wise as gods, or Danaë, with her enchanting ankles, daughter of Acrisius, who gave birth to Perseus, most illustrious of men, nor the daughterof famous Phoenix, who bore me Minosand godlike Rhadamanthus, nor Alcmene,who gave birth to Hercules in Thebes,a mighty hearted son, nor Semele,who bore that joy to mortals Dionysus,nor fair-haired lady Demeter, nor Leto,that glorious girl, not even for yourself—I felt for none of these the love I feelfor you right now—such sweet desire grips me."
Queen Hera with her cunning mind then said in reply:
"Most fearsome son of Cronos, what are you saying? If you now want us to make love lying here,on Ida’s peaks, where anyone can see,what if one of the immortal gods observes us,as we sleep, then goes and tells the other gods?I could not get up from this bed and gointo your home. That would be scandalous. But if that's your wish, if your heart's set on it, you have that bedroom your own son Hephaestus had built for you. It has close-fitting doorsfixed into posts. Let's go and lie down there,since you're so keen for us to go to bed."
Underneath them divine Earth made fresh flowers grow—dew-covered clover, crocuses, and hyacinths,lush and soft, to hold the lovers off the ground.They lay together there covered with a cloud, a lovely golden mist, from which fell glistening dew.Then Zeus slumbered peacefully on Mount Gargarus,overcome with love and sleep, his wife in his embrace.
Sweet Sleep rushed to the Achaean ships, to inform Poseidon, the Encircler and Shaker of the Earth.Coming up to him, Sleep spoke—his words had wings:
"Poseidon, you could now assist the Argivesquite readily and give them glory,if only for a while—Zeus is fast asleep.I’ve covered him with a delicious sleep.Hera has seduced him on a bed of love."
Thursday, May 22, 2008
HW for tomorrow
Students are to complete the following assignment for tomorrow:
The Iliad-book 10 “A Night Raid”-20pts
Relate Diomedes’ and Odysseus’ treatment of the prisoner Dolon to today. Do they treat him fairly? Write a reaction to their actions. In other words, defend or refute.
Dolon wasn't much to look at, but he ran fast.He was the only male child, with five sisters.At that point he spoke up to Hector and the Trojans:
"Hector, my heart and my proud spirit prompt me to volunteer to sneak up to those fast ships and find out what I can. Come, raise your sceptre,swear to me that you'll give me those horses and that chariot decorated all in bronze which carry the fine son of Peleus.I'll not be a useless scout or disappoint you.I'll go straight through the army, till I reach Agamemnon's ship, where their best men must be in council talking of their plans, whether to flee or to continue fighting."
Dolon spoke. Holding up his sceptre, Hector swore:
"Let Zeus himself, Hera's loud-thundering husband,be my witness, that no other Trojan will be carried by those horses. I affirm that you will glory in them all your life."
Hector spoke. He'd sworn an empty oath, but Dolon was encouraged. At once, he slung across his shoulderhis curved bow, then threw a gray wolf skin on it. On his head he set a cap of marten skin, grabbed a sharp spear, and set off, going from the camptowards the ships. He would not be coming backbringing Hector information from the ships.But when he left the crowd of men and horses,he went eagerly along the path. As he moved, noble Odysseus saw him and said to Diomedes:
"Diomedes, someone's coming from the camp.I don't know if he's going to scout our ships or strip some dead man's corpse. Let's let himat first get past us on the plain, just a bit. Then we can go after him and catch him fast. If his feet outrun ours, we'll keep following himand chase him from his camp towards our ships.Keep brandishing your spear behind him,so he doesn't make it to the city."
After these words, the two men lay down beside the road,among the corpses. Dolon ran past them quickly, quite unaware. When he'd gone about as faras mules plough in a single day—and in deep fields they outwork oxen pulling double-jointed ploughs—the two men ran after him. When he heard their noise,Dolon stopped, hoping in his heart they were comradescoming from the Trojans to get him to turn back,Hector having changed the orders. But when they camewithin the distance of a spear throw or even less, he saw that they were enemies and started running,to get away as quickly as his legs could carry him.They set off chasing him with speed. Just as when two dogs, skilled hunting hounds with sharp fangs, harass some doeor hare relentlessly across a wooded country, the prey screaming as it runs, that's how Tydeus' sonand Odysseus, destroyer of cities, pursued him,keeping Dolon from his people with their constant chase.When Dolon was about to run into the sentriesin his flight towards the ships, at that pointAthena put fighting power into Tydeus' son,so no bronze-clad Achaean could make the boastthat he'd hit Dolon first and that Diomedeshad come up later. Springing forward with his spear,powerful Diomedes yelled:
"Stop! Or I'll hit you with my spear. I don't thinkyou'll long escape complete destruction at my hands"
Diomedes shouted this, then threw the spear,deliberately missing Dolon. The polished spear point sailed over his right shoulder, then stuck in the ground.Dolon just stood there terrified, stammering, pale with fear—his teeth were chattering in his mouth. The two men ran up,panting, and grabbed his hands. Dolon began to cry and beg:
"Take me alive, and I'll ransom myself. At home there is bronze, gold, well-wrought iron. My father will give lots of it to you—an immense ransom—if he once finds out I'm at Achaean ships and still alive."
Crafty Odysseus smiled at him and said:
"Don't worry. Don't let death weigh down your heart.Come now, tell me—and be sure to speak the truth.Why are you going like this to the ships alone,away from your army in the dead of night,when other warriors are fast asleep?Are you going to strip some dead man's body, or has Hector sent you as a spy,to learn something about the hollow ships?Or did your own spirit prompt you to this?"
Dolon answered Odysseus, his limbs trembling.
"Hector led my mind astray with foolish hopes,lots of them. He promised he'd give methe sure-footed horses of Achilles,Peleus' excellent son, and his chariotwith its bronze decoration. He told meto venture out into the swift dark night, get close to hostile troops, and then find out if they were guarding their swift ships as before, or whether, now we have defeated them,they were planning flight among themselves,unwilling to keep up watch at night,exhausted by their desperate efforts."
Shrewd Odysseus, still smiling, then continued:
"Your heart has been ambitious for big gifts.Those horses of warrior Achilles,descendant of Aeacus, are hard to manage or control for any mortal person,except Achilles, son of an immortal mother.Tell me, now, and be sure to speak the truth.When you came here, where did you leave Hector,shepherd to his people? Where's his armour?Where are his horses? How are the sentriesof the other Trojans set? Where are they sleeping?Tell me what they talk of amongst themselves, whether they're eager to stay beside the ships,quite far from home, or whether they'll return to the city, with Achaeans beaten."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus:
"I'll answer you in this quite truthfully.Right now Hector is with his advisors,holding a council meeting by the tombof godlike Ilus, some distance from the noise.As for the guards you asked about, noble sir,there's nothing special to protect the troops,or keep lookout. By all Trojan watch fires,as necessity requires, there are men who stay awake, calling to each other,to keep up their guard. But the allied force, which comes from many lands, is sleeping.They leave it to Trojans to stay on watch,for their wives and children aren't close by."
Crafty Odysseus, with a smile, then asked Dolon:
"Now, those allies—are they intermingledwith horse-taming Trojans where they sleepor separate from them? Tell me. I need to know."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus:
"I can reveal the truth of this as well.By the sea lie Carians, Paeonians,with their curved bows, Lelegians, Caucones,god-like Pelasgians. Around Thymbreare positioned Lycians, Mysians, impetuous fighters, and Phrygians,who fight on horseback, and from Maeoniathere are charioteers. But why ask me detailsof these matters? If you're keen to infiltratethe Trojan army, over there are Thracians, fresh troops, new arrivals, furthest distantfrom the rest, among them their king Rhesus,son of Eioneus. His horses are the best,the finest and largest ones I've ever seen,whiter than snow, as fast as the winds.His chariot is finely built—with goldand silver. He came here with his armour—an amazing sight—huge and made of gold.It's not appropriate for mortal men to wear such armour, only deathless gods. But take me now to your fast ships, or elsetie me up, leave me here in painful fetters,so you can go and check my story out,see whether I have told the truth or not."
Mighty Diomedes scowled at Dolon and said:
"Don't fill your heart with thoughts you'll get away,Dolon, even though your news is good.You've fallen in our hands. Now, if wereleased you or set you free for ransom,you'd come back to the swift Achaean ships, either to spy or fight us openly.But if my hands subdue you and you die,you'll pose no problems for the Argives later."
As Diomedes finished, Dolon was intending to cup his chin with his strong hand in supplication.But with his sword Diomedes jumped at him,slashed him across the middle of his neck, slicingthrough both tendons. Dolon's head rolled in the dust,as he was speaking. They stripped the cap of marten skin,then took the wolf hide, long spear, and his curved bow. Lord Odysseus held these objects high above him for Athena, goddess of battle spoils, and prayed:
Explain Diomedes’ actions in this scene. Are they heroic? Defend or refute them.
"There's our man, Diomedes. And these are the horseswhich Dolon told us of, the man we killed.Come, now, let's see that mighty strength of yours.It's not right for you to stand there idly with your weapons. So loose those horses. Or else kill the men, while I take care of them."
Odysseus spoke. Athena with her glittering eyesbreathed fighting power into Diomedes. Moving around everywhere, he began the killing.Agonizing groans came from those his sword then butchered. The earth grew soggy with their blood. Just as a lioncomes across an unguarded flock of sheep or goatsand leaps on them, heart thirsting for the kill,so Tydeus' son went at those Thracian soldiers,until he'd slaughtered twelve. Whenever Diomedesstood over some man he'd just killed with his sword,crafty Odysseus, from behind, would grab his feet and drag the body clear. For his mind was planninghow he might steal the fine-maned horses easily,if he didn't frighten them by forcing them to step on dead men's bodies, for they were not used to that.Tydeus' son came across the king, the thirteenth man whose sweet life he had taken. Rhesus lay there,in his last gasp. A bad dream had stood beside his headthat night, a device sent by Athena—and that dreamwas the son of Tydeus. Meanwhile, bold Odysseus untied the sure-footed horses, roped them together,and drove them from the camp, prodding with his bow,for he'd forgotten to pick up the shining whip from the ornate chariot. Then he gave a whistle, to signal noble Diomedes. But he just stayed there,wondering how he could do something really bold.Should he take away the chariot, which containedthe king's finely decorated armour, pull itby the pole, or lift it up above his headand carry it like that? Or should he take the livesof still more Thracians? While Diomedes turned overthese matters in his mind, Athena came, stood by him,then said to noble Diomedes:
"Think of going back,to the hollow ships, son of great-hearted Tydeus, in case you get driven there in quick retreat, if some other god wakes up the Trojans."
The Iliad-book 10 “A Night Raid”-20pts
Relate Diomedes’ and Odysseus’ treatment of the prisoner Dolon to today. Do they treat him fairly? Write a reaction to their actions. In other words, defend or refute.
Dolon wasn't much to look at, but he ran fast.He was the only male child, with five sisters.At that point he spoke up to Hector and the Trojans:
"Hector, my heart and my proud spirit prompt me to volunteer to sneak up to those fast ships and find out what I can. Come, raise your sceptre,swear to me that you'll give me those horses and that chariot decorated all in bronze which carry the fine son of Peleus.I'll not be a useless scout or disappoint you.I'll go straight through the army, till I reach Agamemnon's ship, where their best men must be in council talking of their plans, whether to flee or to continue fighting."
Dolon spoke. Holding up his sceptre, Hector swore:
"Let Zeus himself, Hera's loud-thundering husband,be my witness, that no other Trojan will be carried by those horses. I affirm that you will glory in them all your life."
Hector spoke. He'd sworn an empty oath, but Dolon was encouraged. At once, he slung across his shoulderhis curved bow, then threw a gray wolf skin on it. On his head he set a cap of marten skin, grabbed a sharp spear, and set off, going from the camptowards the ships. He would not be coming backbringing Hector information from the ships.But when he left the crowd of men and horses,he went eagerly along the path. As he moved, noble Odysseus saw him and said to Diomedes:
"Diomedes, someone's coming from the camp.I don't know if he's going to scout our ships or strip some dead man's corpse. Let's let himat first get past us on the plain, just a bit. Then we can go after him and catch him fast. If his feet outrun ours, we'll keep following himand chase him from his camp towards our ships.Keep brandishing your spear behind him,so he doesn't make it to the city."
After these words, the two men lay down beside the road,among the corpses. Dolon ran past them quickly, quite unaware. When he'd gone about as faras mules plough in a single day—and in deep fields they outwork oxen pulling double-jointed ploughs—the two men ran after him. When he heard their noise,Dolon stopped, hoping in his heart they were comradescoming from the Trojans to get him to turn back,Hector having changed the orders. But when they camewithin the distance of a spear throw or even less, he saw that they were enemies and started running,to get away as quickly as his legs could carry him.They set off chasing him with speed. Just as when two dogs, skilled hunting hounds with sharp fangs, harass some doeor hare relentlessly across a wooded country, the prey screaming as it runs, that's how Tydeus' sonand Odysseus, destroyer of cities, pursued him,keeping Dolon from his people with their constant chase.When Dolon was about to run into the sentriesin his flight towards the ships, at that pointAthena put fighting power into Tydeus' son,so no bronze-clad Achaean could make the boastthat he'd hit Dolon first and that Diomedeshad come up later. Springing forward with his spear,powerful Diomedes yelled:
"Stop! Or I'll hit you with my spear. I don't thinkyou'll long escape complete destruction at my hands"
Diomedes shouted this, then threw the spear,deliberately missing Dolon. The polished spear point sailed over his right shoulder, then stuck in the ground.Dolon just stood there terrified, stammering, pale with fear—his teeth were chattering in his mouth. The two men ran up,panting, and grabbed his hands. Dolon began to cry and beg:
"Take me alive, and I'll ransom myself. At home there is bronze, gold, well-wrought iron. My father will give lots of it to you—an immense ransom—if he once finds out I'm at Achaean ships and still alive."
Crafty Odysseus smiled at him and said:
"Don't worry. Don't let death weigh down your heart.Come now, tell me—and be sure to speak the truth.Why are you going like this to the ships alone,away from your army in the dead of night,when other warriors are fast asleep?Are you going to strip some dead man's body, or has Hector sent you as a spy,to learn something about the hollow ships?Or did your own spirit prompt you to this?"
Dolon answered Odysseus, his limbs trembling.
"Hector led my mind astray with foolish hopes,lots of them. He promised he'd give methe sure-footed horses of Achilles,Peleus' excellent son, and his chariotwith its bronze decoration. He told meto venture out into the swift dark night, get close to hostile troops, and then find out if they were guarding their swift ships as before, or whether, now we have defeated them,they were planning flight among themselves,unwilling to keep up watch at night,exhausted by their desperate efforts."
Shrewd Odysseus, still smiling, then continued:
"Your heart has been ambitious for big gifts.Those horses of warrior Achilles,descendant of Aeacus, are hard to manage or control for any mortal person,except Achilles, son of an immortal mother.Tell me, now, and be sure to speak the truth.When you came here, where did you leave Hector,shepherd to his people? Where's his armour?Where are his horses? How are the sentriesof the other Trojans set? Where are they sleeping?Tell me what they talk of amongst themselves, whether they're eager to stay beside the ships,quite far from home, or whether they'll return to the city, with Achaeans beaten."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus:
"I'll answer you in this quite truthfully.Right now Hector is with his advisors,holding a council meeting by the tombof godlike Ilus, some distance from the noise.As for the guards you asked about, noble sir,there's nothing special to protect the troops,or keep lookout. By all Trojan watch fires,as necessity requires, there are men who stay awake, calling to each other,to keep up their guard. But the allied force, which comes from many lands, is sleeping.They leave it to Trojans to stay on watch,for their wives and children aren't close by."
Crafty Odysseus, with a smile, then asked Dolon:
"Now, those allies—are they intermingledwith horse-taming Trojans where they sleepor separate from them? Tell me. I need to know."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus:
"I can reveal the truth of this as well.By the sea lie Carians, Paeonians,with their curved bows, Lelegians, Caucones,god-like Pelasgians. Around Thymbreare positioned Lycians, Mysians, impetuous fighters, and Phrygians,who fight on horseback, and from Maeoniathere are charioteers. But why ask me detailsof these matters? If you're keen to infiltratethe Trojan army, over there are Thracians, fresh troops, new arrivals, furthest distantfrom the rest, among them their king Rhesus,son of Eioneus. His horses are the best,the finest and largest ones I've ever seen,whiter than snow, as fast as the winds.His chariot is finely built—with goldand silver. He came here with his armour—an amazing sight—huge and made of gold.It's not appropriate for mortal men to wear such armour, only deathless gods. But take me now to your fast ships, or elsetie me up, leave me here in painful fetters,so you can go and check my story out,see whether I have told the truth or not."
Mighty Diomedes scowled at Dolon and said:
"Don't fill your heart with thoughts you'll get away,Dolon, even though your news is good.You've fallen in our hands. Now, if wereleased you or set you free for ransom,you'd come back to the swift Achaean ships, either to spy or fight us openly.But if my hands subdue you and you die,you'll pose no problems for the Argives later."
As Diomedes finished, Dolon was intending to cup his chin with his strong hand in supplication.But with his sword Diomedes jumped at him,slashed him across the middle of his neck, slicingthrough both tendons. Dolon's head rolled in the dust,as he was speaking. They stripped the cap of marten skin,then took the wolf hide, long spear, and his curved bow. Lord Odysseus held these objects high above him for Athena, goddess of battle spoils, and prayed:
Explain Diomedes’ actions in this scene. Are they heroic? Defend or refute them.
"There's our man, Diomedes. And these are the horseswhich Dolon told us of, the man we killed.Come, now, let's see that mighty strength of yours.It's not right for you to stand there idly with your weapons. So loose those horses. Or else kill the men, while I take care of them."
Odysseus spoke. Athena with her glittering eyesbreathed fighting power into Diomedes. Moving around everywhere, he began the killing.Agonizing groans came from those his sword then butchered. The earth grew soggy with their blood. Just as a lioncomes across an unguarded flock of sheep or goatsand leaps on them, heart thirsting for the kill,so Tydeus' son went at those Thracian soldiers,until he'd slaughtered twelve. Whenever Diomedesstood over some man he'd just killed with his sword,crafty Odysseus, from behind, would grab his feet and drag the body clear. For his mind was planninghow he might steal the fine-maned horses easily,if he didn't frighten them by forcing them to step on dead men's bodies, for they were not used to that.Tydeus' son came across the king, the thirteenth man whose sweet life he had taken. Rhesus lay there,in his last gasp. A bad dream had stood beside his headthat night, a device sent by Athena—and that dreamwas the son of Tydeus. Meanwhile, bold Odysseus untied the sure-footed horses, roped them together,and drove them from the camp, prodding with his bow,for he'd forgotten to pick up the shining whip from the ornate chariot. Then he gave a whistle, to signal noble Diomedes. But he just stayed there,wondering how he could do something really bold.Should he take away the chariot, which containedthe king's finely decorated armour, pull itby the pole, or lift it up above his headand carry it like that? Or should he take the livesof still more Thracians? While Diomedes turned overthese matters in his mind, Athena came, stood by him,then said to noble Diomedes:
"Think of going back,to the hollow ships, son of great-hearted Tydeus, in case you get driven there in quick retreat, if some other god wakes up the Trojans."
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