BOOK SEVEN – A Combat and a Rampart

Hektor and Paris provided HOPE “Like a wind” Paris and Hektor were like force of nature; shifting/propping up the

morale of the Trojans Hektor convinced Paris to go back to the fight Apollo and Athena truce between the Trojans and Akhaians Not surprised that Athena agreed because the Akhaians are losing while the Trojans have

the upper hand The Trojans were winning because the Akhaians didn’t have Akhilleus Apollo is calling for a duel because Akhilleus was Hektor’s counterpart and Hektor can

add to is prestige/be called the greatest warrior The gods intervene through

o Taking a different formo Putting the idea in the mind of the mortal

First duel: Menelaos/Paris (to get Helen/end the war) Second duel: Hektor/_________ (Hektor can win the fight) – military prowess The gods take delight in the sufferings of others They act like spoiled children They intervene to make more conflict Lines 99 – 105: hero’s goal = heroic glory (Hektor’s goal) Menelaos no match for Hektor (?) Aias eager and enthusiastic when he was chosen to fight Hektor/second to Akhilleus Aias “strong, defensive warrior” Roles are reversed

o Attacker defendero Defender attacker

Duel ends in a draw (because the gods intervene + the night is about to fall) Night should not be a barrier to not fight Antenor: give Helen back / Paris: no Priam sides with Paris in not giving Helen back Take a day off to bury their dead Put up a wall Akhaians defending themselves

BOOK EIGHT – The Battle Swayed by Zeus

Zeuso Sole control of the waro Anyone who disobeys him = punishedo Tyranny – absolute powero Arroganto Superiority complex

“that I may get this business done” promise to Thetis Trojans > Akhaians Akhaian leaders started pulling out Diomedes restored Greek superiority almost kills Hektor + saves Nestor Hektor claims that Zeus has given him victory Highest of the Trojan advance: when Hektor sets fire to the ships Agamemnon complains that Zeus cheated him/them Zeus: sends out an eagle to encourage the Akhaians Eagle represents the strengths of the Akhaians Fawn Trojans Hektor = lead the Trojans to drive the Akhaians back behind the wall they built Zeus saw Athena and Hera about to intervene sends Iris to warn them that they will be

punished Zeus mentioning Patroklos dead (killed by Hektor) – important because it signifies

the coming back of Akhilleus Set up camp Newfound confidence of the Trojans – gloating and boasting Campfires prevent Akhaians to escape

BOOK NINE – A Visit of Emissaries

Diomedes accuses Agamemnon of losing his will to fight Emissaries = ambassadors Agamemnon blames Zeus for siding with the Trojans “We came here under god” no need to retreat because they are with Zeus, they will see

the end of Troy Enumeration of gifts = showing Akhilleus that he has lots of possessions (more power) “I never went to bed or coupled with her” Agamemnon never really wanted Briseis “So let Akhilleus bow to me considering that I hold higher rank and claim the precedence

of age” all gifts but still Agamemnon had higher rank; stressing his authority Phoinix foster father of Akhilleus Allegory of prayers – beyond the literal

o Purpose: story with a moral trutho Tells a lesson

Prayers = request/petitions If you dismiss prayer folly will follow you until you learn the lesson Until you are humbled, you will commit foolish actions Forget your pride, think of the common good Agamemnon proposes “retreat” for the SECOND TIME (p. 198)

o Different from the first time Agamemnon actually tells them to retreat (he was even crying); he was not just testing them + Akhaians stood up to Agamemnon (they wanted to stay and fight)

o First time Agamemnon was only testing them; the Akhaians want to go home How Diomedes’ reaction on p. 198 differ from that of the one in Book 4 where

Agamemnon insults himo First time Agamemnon insults him = he keeps quiet (showed humility and

restraint)o P. 198 spoke up / said what he felt / found his voice

The role Nestor plays again a mediator between Agamemnon and Diomedes Nestor blames AGAMEMNON for the Akhaians’ troubles

o Gave way to your pride and dishonored a great prince (Akhilleus) Nestor’s two-fold offer to make full amends to Akhilleus

o Friendly giftso Affectionate words

Missing in Agamemnon’s offer despite all the gifts APOLOGY o His offer was actually briberyo There was the lack of affectionate words

Why the choice of Aias, Phoinix, and Odysseus?o Phoinix – father figure of Akhilleus / “leader” since he is oldero Odysseus – persuasive + good speaker o Aias – strong, defensive warrior / “beg” Akhilleus to return (desperate times call

for desperate measures) Playing the lyre and singing: What has become of Akhilleus

o LOST HIS PURPOSEo Agamemnon removed his reason for fightingo Music expression of profound emotionso Reminisce the times when he was in war

The disappointment Akhilleus voices out to Odysseus regarding his heroic lifeo Agamemnon is getting him back for Agamemnon’s own benefito Life > richeso A life without purpose, honor, glory = not worth fighting foro Agamemnon not only got his war prize, but also questioned his being

The three times Akhilleus changed his mind about leaving or stayingo 1. He was to sail home (Phoinix)o 2. He was deciding whether to sail home or stay (Odysseus)o 3. Decides to stay (Aias) Aias speech was the one that worked (shortest)o Aias – affected Akhilleus most / speech straight to the point (less is more)

Why Akhilleus hates Agamemnon’s giftso Lines 470-474o VENGEANCE – not being bettero Never-ending cycle of getting back at the other

o “Not if his gifts outnumbered the sea sands or all the dust grains in the world could Agamemnon ever appease me – not till he pays me back full measure, pain for pain, dishonor for dishonor” – VENGEANCE

o HATES Agamemnon For Akhilleus, the choice that all heroes must make

o Glory or long life The 3 parts of Phoinix’s speech

o Establish his credentialso Prayerso The story of Meleagros

Why Akhilleus’ reply to Phonix sound like the words of an outsidero like an OUTSIDER because they live in a society where honor is very importanto “This is an honor I can live without”

The same mistake Aias makes as Agamemnono Thinks he can win Akhilleus through material gifts

What Odysseus fails to report to Agamemnono What Akhilleus actually said (line 842)o He reports that Akhilleus plans to SAIL HOMEo But Akhilleus chose the short but glorious life no longer thinks about sailing

homeo Odysseus does not mention that Akhilleus will fight only if Hektor will come near

the ships will destroy the morale of the Akhaianso SHIPS – their last line of defense/last hope + if burned down = no more hopeo Akhilleus’ pride INCREASES – “show me that you NEED me”

Significance of Diomedes’ closing speecho Advises the Akhaians to rest

BOOK TEN – Night in the Camp: A Foray

flute sounds and pipes = symbolized the superiority of the Trojans Diomedes – ideal junior commander

BOOK ELEVEN – Prowess and Wounds of Akhaians

BOOK TWELVE – The Rampart Breached