Week 3 Journal

The Iliad Books 6–9

9/7/20

Self Study Session

11:00AM–1:40PM

Read Homer’s Iliad, Book 6

I read the beginning parts of Book 6 of the Iliad while at a small barbecue about 4 blocks from my house, near the beach. I stayed on the boardwalk part, away from my family members but didn’t really grasp any information. So I went home and sat in my living room-which I had not set foot in for about 2 weeks. It was much easier to concentrate since I was home alone and not distracted by my blasting AC or the tempting allure of my PS4 light. Book 6 begins with the absence of the gods, the Achaeans dominating Trojan forces who fall back to the city. A key moment in the earlier parts of this Book was the scene in which Menelaus attempts to imprison the Trojan warrior Adrestus, but Agamemnon convinces him not to. This seems like a bit of a turning point in the story, at the least, a signal of the growing intensity of the war. The Achaeans have a quite literal ‘take no prisoners’ attitude emerging in this part of the war. The son of Priam, Helenus, who is also a seer, tells Hector and Aeneas(son of Aphrodite) to rally the soldiers and to stand strong. Helenus also advises Hector to return to the city and organize a sacrifice for Athena, hoping that she’ll take pity on Troy. It seems as if the mortals fighting the war have realized that some gods, such as Athena didn’t particularly favor them. The Trojans are hopeful that this sacrifice may cause Athena to at least be more lenient towards them.

The Trojan soldier Glaucus meets Diomedes on the battlefield, the Greek soldier quickly stating that he will fight Glaucus if he happens to be mortal. The Trojan seems to believe ancestry is of unimportance, but eventually tells the story of a heroic ancestor of his, named Bellerophon. Diomedes suggests that they part as friends, or companions, considering their grandfathers knew each other in the past. This interaction is very indicative of not only the prideful but somewhat chivalrous as well. The fact that someone’s family member could determine one’s respectability is not a new concept, but it’s literally a matter of life or death at this point. Glaucus is clearly a brave man, and shows that he would take honor in being amongst the dead, if he was fighting for Troy, an honorable death. Upon hearing their familial backgrounds, the men part ways with a mutual respect for eachother. This interaction also seems to highlight the ideal that all men are doomed to die, emphasizing mortality.

When Hector reaches Troy, he tells the people to pray to the gods, then seeks out his mother, Hecuba, at Priam’s palace. Hector tells his mother to prepare a sacrifice for Athena to help him turn back the Achaeans. She gathers women and other materials for the sacrifice, but Athena rejects this and refuses to hear the Trojans’ prayers. Hector crosses paths with Paris in his chambers and-joined by Helen- berates him for neglecting his duties on the battlefield. Paris says that he is grieving but claims that their criticism is justified. He decides to arm himself and return to the battlefield. There is a stark contrast between Paris and Hector. Hector is a strong and brave warrior who prioritizes the protection of the city and its citizens. However, it seems that Paris cannot come to grips with the war and hsi grief makes him completely useless. Not that he’d actually be of any help, as the story doesn’t portray him to be as gifted as a warrior as his brother is.

Hector rushes to his own home, but finds that his wife, Andromache is not there. A servant reveals that she has gone to Troy’s watch tower to view the fighting. Hector speeds there, being met with his wife, and their infant son Astyanax. Andromache sobs over her past losses due to the Achaeans and desperately pleading to Hector to stay within the city walls, with the fear of becoming a widow. But Hector, ever so noble, tells her that he must fight so that Troy is not destroyed. An interesting scene is when hector reaches down to hold his son, his son is afraid, as he doesn’t recognize him with his helmet on. Hector removes his helmet, kisses his son and then says a prayer for him. He hopes his son will become a strong warrior; he expresses to Andromache that no one can escape their fate, telling her to go back home and weave. Hector is being shown as a family man, one who cares deeply for his wife and son. This is exactly what the Trojans are fighting to protect. If the Achaeans do win, every citizen of Troy will be subjected to slavery and be forced to endure the destruction of their civilization. Hector’s interaction with his family shows that they take a deep pride in their ability to obtain honor and glory, no matter the price. The value of men seems dependent on such abilities and accolades in this time. Hector returns to battle, being mourned by the women of Troy- who are convinced that he shall not return from the battle. To me, this seems like a bit of foreshadowing, indicating that Hector may be fated to die.

2:00PM-4:45PM

Read Homer’s Iliad, Book 7

In Book 7, Hector and Paris are back in the battle and each kill a Greek. Athena notices the surge in Trojan forces and tries to help the Achaeans but Apollo intercepts her and asks her to help him in combat. Disguised as Hellenus, Apollo tells Hector to challenge the Achaeans to duel with him in single combat. Hector does this and no Achaean is brave enough to step up. Menelaus steps up, but Agamemnon checks him, knowing that he does not have the strength to defeat Hector. Nestor speaks to the troops, telling them to stand up in honor of their army; 9 of them stand. Those of them who stood, cast lots and Ajax won. Ajax prays to Zeus before the battle. When the duel begins, Hector fails to pierce Ajax’s shield with his spear, whilst Ajax’s tears Hector’s shield apart. Hector is knocked over, but picked up by Apollo. Before they can continue the duel, they are told that night time is near and agree to end their duel. Hector is considered to be very strong, if not the strongest Trojan by the Achaeans and no one immediately rises to fight him. During the duel, Ajax is portrayed to be a bit stronger than Hector, he needed the assistance of Apollo just to stay upright. The gods are constantly injecting themselves into the events of the battlefield and this made me have a sort of existential crisis. I sat on my bed pondering if we are all puppets in some grand design. Like is there some omnipotent force influencing me ? My mom, our political leaders? But honestly, I came to the conclusion that we are a bore, who would bother even bother ?

Hector vs Ajax

The passages in this book show that the Achaeans have the utmost respect for the dead, especially those who have died in battle. They lament over the casualties and express that it is necessary that the dead be treated properly; they must be buried. Antenor, a Trojan elder, suggests that it may be time to return Helen and her treasure to end the war. The offer is rejected by the Achaeans, but they agree to a temporary truce that would allow for the dead to be buried. Once again, a deep respect for those who have died in battle.

7:30PM–9:00PM

Read Homer’s Iliad, Book 8

The text in Book 8, surrounds the themes of fate and free will supported by the interference of the gods in this war. Zeus summoned the gods and forbade them from interfering in the war, warning them that he is stronger than the rest of them put together. Zues tips his golden scale in favor of the Trojans, and sends lightning and thunder against the Greeks. Zeus is seeking to gain a greater control over the war, so banning their intervention allows him to do whatever he pleases with the mortals. The scale seems to be a physical embodiment of his influence on the outcome of the war, his will is quite literally aligned with fate itself. Despite turning the tides of war in favor of the Trojans, he sends a sign (in the form of an eagle) to Agamemnon, indicating that they are ultimately meant to be victorious.

What do you think it takes to have a strong marital partnership? To what extent do Hector and Andromache meet this standard?

• My idea of a strong partnership is one based on trust and loyalty. There is a balance between being together and separate, as a holy union means that the spouses are now one. Forgiveness,patience, and honesty are key factors in most relationships. Open communication is needed but without a sense of understanding it is pointless. It seems as if Andromache and Hector’s relationship does follow these guidelines(although I am not privy to Hector or his wife’s participation- or lack thereof- in extramarital affairs). It seems to me that Andromache is the one who cares more about the relationship. Obviously Hector has shown his love for his family, but Hector doesn’t realize that he is all she has left. As aforementioned, she has lost all of her family at the hands of the Greeks, and doesn’t want to lose the last thing she holds dear to her heart, to them again. Being a widow and raising her son all alone seems to be her biggest fear at the moment. The last thing she wants to hear is that her own son will become a warrior and seek out his own glory, maybe even dying in the process.

How does Hector compare to the other warriors in the epic so far? Do we have any reason to believe he can(or can’t) defeat Achilles?

• Hector is portrayed to be not just a skilled warrior, but also a respected and capable leader. When he returns to battle with Paris in Book 7, they are fighting so well that Athena decides to come down and intervene(a bit of a compliment if you ask me), but is stopped by Apollo. Achilles and Hector are considered to be the most skilled warriors for their respective armies. There is no admissible proof that one man is stronger than the other.

In-Class on 9/8/20

11:10AM–12:30PM

• In class we were separated into breakout groups in an attempt to gauge our overall understanding of the reading. In my group we discussed the large ego and amount of pride held by the characters, but especially Agamemnon. He is a lot more concerned about how he’ll be viewed by others if he doesn’t win the war, if he allows Menelaus to die,etc. My own curiosity was about why Paris and Helen were still with each other. She’s literally there for no reason. Helen constantly berates him, and seems to have such disdain for Paris. Their relationship doesn’t seem to go any further than sexual intercourse. They have no genuine affection for each other. Tying back into feelings of pride, Paris only wants Helen as a trophy wife, because she is the most beautiful woman in the land. She is property to be shown off, rather than a woman to love. This makes no sense to me considering Paris is described to be a pretty man, who also has the whole royalty thing going on for him- basically he can get any woman he wants. There are probably women who are just as beautiful as Helen, but sure, let your people die just because you want a little trophy that most likely resents you.

KEY TERM(S)

• Vaunt- stating who you are- your background and ancestry included- in order to intimidate your opponent
• Aristeia- “shining moment”
• Typically begins when a god/goddess will put courage (menos) into a warrior.
• A warrior will witness the death/injury of a dear comrade in arms.
• The hero is god-like for a short period of time
• Ends when the hero defeats the ‘level boss’, main antagonist, is killed, or reconciles with nemesis
• Aristos= “best”

9/9/20

Read Homer’s Iliad, Book 9

8:30PM–10:15PM

Book 9 is just a wreck. In the words of NYC birds of every borough, the Achaeans were ‘popped and panicking’ in the sense that their defense against the Trojans had been broken down and they had no aid from the gods. The ever prideful Agamemnon even diminishes his honor a bit by suggesting that they abandon the war. However, he is met with disapproval, and balmes the gods for his failures, not knowing the true extent of Zeus’ plans. Nestor makes a proposal that would require Agamemnon to make peace with Achilles. He set aside a massive reward for this man, including Briseis’ return and marriage to one of Agamemnon’s daughters when the war had ended. Presented with this offer by Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix, Achilles immediately rejects it. He was told by his mother, Thetis, that he can die at Troy and have everlasting glory or live a long yet unremarkable life; he doesn’t believe that any bit of wealth offered is worth his life. Next, Phoenix tries to convince Achilles not to sail home by telling stories of their youth and of the warrior Meleager, a man who refused to fight for his city out of anger, who eventually succumbed, but even this doesn’t move him. Lastly, Ajax tells Achilles that his anger has increased his pride and that if he returns to war, the other soldiers will gain more respect for him, therefore increasing his honor. However, Achilles says he will continue to refrain from fighting. Upon the return of the three men, the soldiers are dispirited by the news of Achilles’ refusal to rejoin the war. Diomedes expresses that Achilles is very proud, and will return when the time is right.

If you want to change someone’s mind, what do you try to arouse in them ?

• I would attempt to make it seem like they’re being selfish. If I will benefit from the person changing their mind, I would most definitely lie and appeal to their own feelings. I’ll tell them whatever they want to hear, exploit all their weaknesses to get what I want. It is easy to coerce someone to do something when they stand to gain something from your desired outcome. For instance, if I really want to go to a fair with my boyfriend, I’d simply express how it will be fun, how much he’d like the attractions and the food there, and most importantly how he never wants to do anything fun with me. The point is being extremely manipulative may be wrong, but it helps.

What emotions do Odysseus, Phoenix, and Ajax try to arouse in Achilles?

• The 3 warriors attempt to get Achilles back into the battlefield with emotional blackmail. They want Achilles to take pity on the fact that his people are currently losing the war, suffering due to his withdrawal from the war. He recounts their youth to make Achilles get over his pride.

In what ways (other than emotions) do Odysseus, Phoenix, and Ajax try to persuade him to return to battle ?

• Originally, they propose Agamemnon’s bribe of Briseis’ return and a wife. They attempt to “gas” his head up; Ajax tells him about the great respect other soldiers will have for him if he does decide to return.

The Embassy to Achilles