Iliad, Books 20-24
There is a great deal of important material in these Books; consequently, there are a lot of study questions below. The ones in bold print are the especially important ones and the ones we will spend the most time on in class, as they have to do with the central issues of the poem.
Book 20
- Lines 293-308: Why does Poseidon save Aineias? What is his destiny?
- Lines 419-454: Describe the first encounter between Achilleus and Hektor.
Book 21
- Lines 34-135: In the episode of Lykaon, what do we learn about the present state of Achilleus's heart? (remember 18.108-110)
- How is Achilleus saved from the river?
- How would you describe the tone of the battle scenes among the gods? Why might this be in the story?
Book 22
- What two people make
speeches before Hektor does? What do they say?
- Lines 99-130: This is "Hektor's Soliloquy" (a soliloquy is a speech to one's self). Read the three previous soliloquies: Odysseus's in 11.403-410, Sarpedon's in 12.310-328, and Agenor's in 2 553-570. What is the motivating code of conduct common to them all that makes them go out and fight when they'd rather not? What different things do they mention as motivations to fight?
- How are Achilleus and Hektor compared in line 158?
- How does Athene stop Hektor's running?
- How does Andromache hear of Hektor's death? What does she predict about her future, and her son's, in her final speech?
Book 23
- What does Patroklos's ghost say to Achilleus? Why must Achilleus fulfill this?
- What things are involved in the funeral rites for Patroklos?
- What kinds of games do they play at the funeral games for Patroklos? What is Achilleus's role during these games?
- What is the purpose of these "funeral games"?
Book 24
- 15. How has Achilleus been treating Hektor's body? What does this say about the continuing state of his heart? (remember 18.108-110)
- Describe Priam's journey to Achilleus's camp. Who guides him? Why this character?
- What is the thing that Priam does and says that finally softens Achilleus's heart?
- Lines 523-551: What kind of worldview does Achilleus seem to have? What reason does he give for bearing up under sorrow? Where does evil come from?
- How does the poem end? How does this add to your answer to the previous question?
SUMMARY QUESTIONS
- The Iliad is much more than just a moral. What are some of the lovely and powerful things in the story/poem that might explain people loving it for three thousand years now?
- But there *are* morals to be drawn from the story of the Wrath of Achilleus and its Devastation. What is Achilleus's tragic flaw (character trait)? How common is this in men? What might men learn from this story? What Biblical teachings does the Iliad illustrate? What things in the story would the Bible condemn?
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