The curtain opens on the ancient world as cast our first gaze on the world of the Greeks and Trojans as heard through the imagination of Homer, our blind poet. But the curtain drips with the blood of battle—9 years of heavy hoplite warfare and no end in sight (at least not in the first 8 books).
True to the classical method of inquiry, we will consider the work on 3 levels.
Grammar
Who, what, when, where, why? We look at the characters and the plot. Be prepared to identify the key characters in these three groups: Argives (Greeks), Trojans, and gods.
Logic/Dialectic
Look at how the poem is constructed: meter, form, etc. How was it originally performed? How does it stand up as a work of literature? Identify the main theme and any sub-themes. In general, what do we learn about ancient Greek society from the story?
Rhetoric
Here is your chance to form and defend an opinion about the work.
- Analyze the conflict that started the war. Describe the forces at work as the conflict develops.
- What effect does rage/wrath have on good judgment?
- What do burial rites teach us about the values of the Greeks and Trojans?
- What do they believe about honor?
- Compare and contrast the personalities of Achilles and Agamemnon.
- Compare and contrast the leadership of Achilles and Hector.
- What is the role of fate in The Iliad? Are there differences in how humans and gods relate to fate?
- Homer goes into detail about the bloody deaths of warriors. What affect does this have on the story? Is this a good literary technique?
- What constitutes the “good life” according to this work? What constitutes a “hero” to Homer? Argue for or against the author’s view.