The Iliad

Background of the Epic Poem and The Iliad.

Pre-Reading Discussion

• What do you think of when you hear the word “epic”?

• List examples of epic movies, books, tv shows.

• What makes something “epic?”

Characteristics of an Epic Poem

long narrative poem• In medias res

– Epic poems begin in the middle– Listeners were already familiar with the people and

places– Jumps right into the action

• Invocation to the Muse– Muses – nine goddesses in Greek mythology– The poet must be inspired to tell his tale– The Odyssey and The Iliad begin this way

• Homeric Epithets– Descriptive words or phrases used to describe

people– Quick way to describe people ex. “brilliant Achilles”

and “Hector breaker of horses”

Bkgd. On The Iliad

• Details the Trojan War – 12th and 13th Centuries (1300-1101 BCE)

• Trojan War (10 year war): Greeks versus Trojans

• Took place in modern day Greece and Turkey • Written down by a man named Homer in the

8th Century (800-701 BCE)• The Iliad is only about the last two months in

the 10th year

Homer the “blind” poet

• Is credited with writing down the two oldest epics: The Odyssey and The Iliad

• Legend has it that he was blind

• Ultimate spokesman of the tradition of Greek Poetry

Qualities of the Epic Hero• Bravery, superhuman

strength, success in battle• Driving desire to

immortalize himself through various deeds

• Desire for eternal glory and fame

• Courage in the face of death

• High birth or of semi-divine origin or national status

• Achilles = Epic Hero?

Before the The Iliad begins….

• Wedding between Thetis and King Peleus (Achilles’ parents)

• Everyone invited except one: Eris – the goddess of discord

• Angry, she throws an apple into the wedding

Before the The Iliad begins….

• On the apple: “for the fairest one”

• Three goddesses believe they are the fairest– Hera– Aphrodite– Athena

Before the The Iliad begins….

• Zeus doesn’t want to decide

• Paris is chosen to pick and is offered the following– Hera: King of Europe and

Asia– Athena: wisdom and skill in

war– Aphrodite: the most

beautiful woman

Before the The Iliad begins….

• Paris is granted Helen of Troy – problem: married to King Menelaus

• Visits Menalaus’ home as a guest and kidnaps her

• Menalaus’ brother is Agamemnon: King of Mycenea and leader of Greek Army

• Guess what happens next

Nine Years and 10 Months Later

• The Iliad Begins• Greeks versus Trojans• Achilles versus Hector• Other famous Greeks:

Agamemnon, Helen, Odysseus, and Patroclus

• Famous Trojans: Andromache, Paris, Priam

• Gods take sides