1. The IliadAn Epic Poem by Homer

2. The Iliad - Background The Epic Form Oral tradition Provides form and structure to express the legend Homers language, meter, and style are formulaic Over time, bards developed common expressions, phrases, and descriptions that fit the rhythms of the epic verse line. These conventions became the building blocks of the epic genre. 3. The Invocation Homer begins the Iliad powerfully by statingthe epics theme and invoking one of theMuses. The Muses are nine goddesses in GreekMythology who were believed to preside over allforms of art and science. Homer calls on the Muse to inspire him with thematerial he needs to tell a story. This type of opening is one of the definingfeatures of a Homeric Epic. 4. In Medias Res Homer observes another epic convention bybeginning the story in medias res, which isLatin for in the middle of things. Reading a Greek epic from the beginning islike tuning into a story already in progress. Many of the storys events have already takenplace. Information about those events is revealed later in the poem through flashbacks and other narrative devices. 5. In Medias Res (continued) Homer could begin his poems in medias resbecause the general outline of the plot andthe main characters were already familiar tohis audience. The Iliad, like other epics, is a small fragmentof a large body of legendary material thatformed the cultural and historical heritage ofits society. 6. Homeric Epithets Epithets often compound adjectives cameabout as a result of composing and listening tooral poetry Examples include brilliant Achilles or Hectorbreaker of horses as well as blazing-eyedAthena. These epithets allowed the poet to describe acharacter or object quickly and economically, interms the audience would recognize. 7. Homeric Epithets (continued) Homeric Epithets and other formulaiclanguage may have helped the poet shape hisstory and compose while reciting. The repetition of familiar expressions also wouldhave helped the audience follow the narrative. 8. More About Homer The conditions of Homers poems reveal hisunwavering commitment to humanity. He had a universal view of mankind, as hisunbiased portrayal of the Greeks and Trojansshow in the Iliad. He uses no ethnic descriptions; in fact, hebestows glorious epithets on both Greek andTrojan characters. Greeks and Trojans are on the same human level. 9. The Epic Form The lengthy, formal speech is another typicalelement of the Homeric epic form Homers characters commonly expressthoughts and feelings by delivering longspeeches addressed to other characters. Especially at moments of crisis, charactersdeliver long monologues in which theyaddress their own souls or inner spirits. 10. The Epic Form (continued) Homers characters neither speculate about theiremotions nor analyze their thought processes. Nor does the poet directly reveal the charactersinner workings to his audience. Later Greek and Roman authors, like modernwriters, give us access to a characters thoughtsand feelings through interior monologues andsoliloquies. Both of these forms are modeled on the long Homericspeech. 11. Homer and Later Epics The building blocks of the epic genre the invocation,in medias res, stock epithets, fixed formulas, and longspeeches were commonly used by bards of oraltradition. Because Homer was so influential in Westernliterature, these same features were imitated in laterepics, even though they no longer served the samepurposes. Among the greatest epic poets who adopted Homer asa model were the Roman writer Virgil, the Florentinemedieval poet Dante Alighieri, and the seventeenth-century English poet, John Milton. 12. How the Trojan War Began The Iliad recounts only part of a long series ofevents in the Trojan War. The war was fought, according to legend, becauseof a quarrel among gods and the resultingincidents of betrayal among mortals.How did the War start?* King Peleus and the sea-goddess Thetis werethe parents of Achilles, hero of the Iliad. 13. How Did the Trojan War Begin? When Peleus and Thetis were married, all thegods were invited except Eris, the goddess ofdiscord. Angry at being excluded, Eris tossed a goldenapple among the guests. On it was inscribed for the fairest one. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed the prize. They chose the Trojan prince Paris, a handsome and unworldly man, to decide which goddess was the fairest. 14. How the Trojan War Began Each goddess offered Paris a bribe, and Parischose Aphrodites bribe. Aphrodite promised to give Paris the mostbeautiful woman alive (Helen) who wasalready married to Menelaus, King of Sparta. Paris violated the sacred bond of hospitalitywhen he went to Menelaus court as a guestand abducted the hosts wife. 15. How the Trojan War Began Menelaus sought the help of his brother,Agamemnon, King of Mycenae and the mostpowerful ruler of his time. Together with other kings, they mounted anexpedition against Troy to reclaim Helen andto sack a city for its opulence. The war lasted ten years until Troy was finallytaken. 16. How the Trojan War Began Out of a vast body of material that hisaudience already knew, Homer chose to focuson a period of less than two months in thetenth year of the war. Homer did not concentrate on the war assuch, but on the Greek warrior Achilles andthe consequences of his rage (wrath). 17. The Iliad Literary Analysis As you read excerpt from Homers Iliad, youwill focus on the theme, an important insightinto life that is usually conveyed indirectly in aliterary work. The theme of a literary work is its central idea,concern, or message. Long works, such as novels and epics, oftencontain more than one major theme. 18. Theme The theme stated at the beginning of the Iliadis the rage of Peleus son Achilles and itsconsequences. The poem also contains profound insightsabout war and peace, honor, duty,compassion, and life and death. 19. Theme Homer uses the following means to reveal thethemes in his epic poem. Characters statements and actions Events in the plot Images and their associationsAs you read, note the ideas and insights that thepoem conveys. 20. Foreshadowing The Iliads opening statement of theme is alsoits first instance of foreshadowing, the use ofclues to suggest future events in a literarywork. This technique creates suspense by building theaudiences anticipation. For example, the Iliads opening lines leave the reader wondering why Achilles is enraged and what consequences might follow. Look for other examples of foreshadowing as you read, and consider what effect the poet is trying to create. 21. Reading Strategy Analyze Confusing Sentences Homer wove lines dense with images andother details. To analyze confusing sentences, consider onesection at a time. Look at a complex sentence and separate itsessential parts (the who and what) from thedifficult language until you get the main idea. Use a chart like the one on page 362 to help youanalyze and interpret confusing sentences. 22. Vocabulary Incensed: adj. -- very angry; enraged Plunder: v. to rob by force in warfare Sacrosanct: adj. -- very holy; sacred Brazen: adj. literally, of brass; shamelesslybold Harrowed: v. distressed; tormented Bereft: adj. deprived or robbed