The Iliad
The scene opens on the last year of the Trojan war. The war had raged for ten years, with the invading Greeks fighting against Troy. Apollo has sent a plague to the Greeks because Agamemnon, king and leader of the Greeks, dishonored a daughter of Apollo's priest. When the reason for the plague is discovered, Agamemnon becomes angry and defiant, unhappy to give the daughter back to her father to appease Apollo. Achilles, a superior Greek warrior, challenges Agamemnon's arrogance, but Agamemnon turns his anger to Achilles, and demands that Achilles give a slave girl to him as a compensation. Achilles fills with rage, but Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, calms both men down so that they do not fight with swords. Instead they argue, and Achilles withdraws from the Greek camp, refusing to fight until Agamemnon apologizes. Meanwhile, on Olympus, the home of the gods, the gods are taking sides in the conflict. Aphrodite persuades Zeus to give glory to the Trojans, if only temporarily. Zeus agrees, which angers his wife Hera, who favors the Greeks.
Achilles leaves the river, and rides to the gates of Troy. Patroclus becomes absorbed in the fighting, and fights beyond his ability. The Greek warriors rush to defend Patroclus' body. Athena assists in helping Pandarus tothrow a spear that grazes Menelaus. Achilles again tries to kill Hector, but Hector is saved by Apollo. Achilles chases Hector around the city walls three times, and Hector is protected by Athena posing as Deiphobus. Thetis presents the armor to her son Achilles, and also helps to preserve Patroclus' body. They have a feast, and burn the body of Hector. Achilles accepts his fate, and begins to fight. Hector foolishly throws away his spear, and when he asks for another one, there is no god to provide it, because Athena has abandoned him. Achilles kills every Trojan he sees without mercy. Rorabaugh 4 Agamemnon again suggests retreat, and Odysseus and Diomedes oppose him, and the Greeks stay. The Greeks do not sleep, and keep watch all night.
Common topics in this essay:
Menelaus Meriones,
Diomedes Odysseus,
Hector Achilles,
Greeks Greek,
Paris Hector,
Meanwhile Patroclus,
Achilles Achilles,
Apollo Achilles,
Ajax Phoenix,
Greeks Hector,
greek camp,
hector's body,
greeks stay,
single combat,
fight single combat,
night greeks,
patroclus' body,
apollo achilles,
gates troy,
achilles achilles,
rides gates,
rides gates troy,
enter greek camp,
|
Acceptance Essays
