Reading Notes: The Iliad A
I've already said it once or twice, so I'll say it one last time: Most of these old Western myths are really sexist. While obvious exceptions exist, ones that show much of society (like epics) often end up back in displaying women as property, and nothing quite underlines that as the beginning of the Iliad, which is just that: a war over a woman, acted like a war over property.
Beyond that, what stood out the most to me was the argument of Agamemnon and Achilles, and Achilles' retreat from combat, followed by Agamemnon's rebuke. I'm aware of where this particular argument ends (Achilles' rage), but this stands as obvious jumping point as the construction for a revenge story, leading into the death of his "dear friend" Patroclus. The way Patroclus is swayed to fight for the Greeks, bearing Achilles' armor, leading into his hubris and eventual death to Hector. This creates the perfect means to have Achilles return to the fight, to rise and strike against the Trojans once more, with feeling. In my own project, I'll be picking apart such tales of revenge and emotional return, so beginning on such a classic story is an incredible part to begin.
One other thing to consider about the Iliad as a whole is the focus on champions. We see little of the rank and file soldiers of the Greeks, but are focused on the heroes and kings, slaying dozens in their wake, falling only to other great heroes - such as Sarpedon falling to Patroclus, or Patroclus to Hector. In there heroic legends, we see stories of great people form into a work of a great war, forming the tapestry of the epic.
Bibliography: The Un-Textbook, Iliad Unit, Part A. Web link.
Beyond that, what stood out the most to me was the argument of Agamemnon and Achilles, and Achilles' retreat from combat, followed by Agamemnon's rebuke. I'm aware of where this particular argument ends (Achilles' rage), but this stands as obvious jumping point as the construction for a revenge story, leading into the death of his "dear friend" Patroclus. The way Patroclus is swayed to fight for the Greeks, bearing Achilles' armor, leading into his hubris and eventual death to Hector. This creates the perfect means to have Achilles return to the fight, to rise and strike against the Trojans once more, with feeling. In my own project, I'll be picking apart such tales of revenge and emotional return, so beginning on such a classic story is an incredible part to begin.
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| Achilles and Agamemnon |
One other thing to consider about the Iliad as a whole is the focus on champions. We see little of the rank and file soldiers of the Greeks, but are focused on the heroes and kings, slaying dozens in their wake, falling only to other great heroes - such as Sarpedon falling to Patroclus, or Patroclus to Hector. In there heroic legends, we see stories of great people form into a work of a great war, forming the tapestry of the epic.
Bibliography: The Un-Textbook, Iliad Unit, Part A. Web link.
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