BOOK SEVEN A Combat and a Rampart

Hektor and Paris provided HOPE

Like a wind Paris and Hektor were like force of nature; shifting/propping up the
morale of the Trojans
Hektor convinced Paris to go back to the fight
Apollo and Athena truce between the Trojans and Akhaians
Not surprised that Athena agreed because the Akhaians are losing while the Trojans have
the upper hand
The Trojans were winning because the Akhaians didnt have Akhilleus
Apollo is calling for a duel because Akhilleus was Hektors counterpart and Hektor can
add to is prestige/be called the greatest warrior
The gods intervene through
o Taking a different form
o Putting the idea in the mind of the mortal
First duel: Menelaos/Paris (to get Helen/end the war)
Second duel: Hektor/_________ (Hektor can win the fight) military prowess
The gods take delight in the sufferings of others
They act like spoiled children
They intervene to make more conflict
Lines 99 105: heros goal = heroic glory (Hektors goal)
Menelaos no match for Hektor (?)
Aias eager and enthusiastic when he was chosen to fight Hektor/second to Akhilleus
Aias strong, defensive warrior
Roles are reversed
o Attacker defender
o Defender attacker
Duel ends in a draw (because the gods intervene + the night is about to fall)
Night should not be a barrier to not fight
Antenor: give Helen back / Paris: no
Priam sides with Paris in not giving Helen back
Take a day off to bury their dead
Put up a wall Akhaians defending themselves

BOOK EIGHT The Battle Swayed by Zeus

Zeus
o
o
o
o
o

Sole control of the war

Anyone who disobeys him = punished
Tyranny absolute power
Arrogant
Superiority complex

that I may get this business done promise to Thetis

Trojans > Akhaians
Akhaian leaders started pulling out
Diomedes restored Greek superiority almost kills Hektor + saves Nestor
Hektor claims that Zeus has given him victory
Highest of the Trojan advance: when Hektor sets fire to the ships
Agamemnon complains that Zeus cheated him/them
Zeus: sends out an eagle to encourage the Akhaians
Eagle represents the strengths of the Akhaians
Fawn Trojans
Hektor = lead the Trojans to drive the Akhaians back behind the wall they built
Zeus saw Athena and Hera about to intervene sends Iris to warn them that they will be
punished
Zeus mentioning Patroklos dead (killed by Hektor) important because it signifies
the coming back of Akhilleus
Set up camp
Newfound confidence of the Trojans gloating and boasting
Campfires prevent Akhaians to escape

BOOK NINE A Visit of Emissaries

Diomedes accuses Agamemnon of losing his will to fight

Emissaries = ambassadors
Agamemnon blames Zeus for siding with the Trojans
We came here under god no need to retreat because they are with Zeus, they will see
the end of Troy
Enumeration of gifts = showing Akhilleus that he has lots of possessions (more power)
I never went to bed or coupled with her Agamemnon never really wanted Briseis
So let Akhilleus bow to me considering that I hold higher rank and claim the precedence
of age all gifts but still Agamemnon had higher rank; stressing his authority
Phoinix foster father of Akhilleus
Allegory of prayers beyond the literal
o Purpose: story with a moral truth
o Tells a lesson
Prayers = request/petitions
If you dismiss prayer folly will follow you until you learn the lesson
Until you are humbled, you will commit foolish actions
Forget your pride, think of the common good
Agamemnon proposes retreat for the SECOND TIME (p. 198)

o Different from the first time Agamemnon actually tells them to retreat (he was
even crying); he was not just testing them + Akhaians stood up to Agamemnon
(they wanted to stay and fight)
o First time Agamemnon was only testing them; the Akhaians want to go home
How Diomedes reaction on p. 198 differ from that of the one in Book 4 where
Agamemnon insults him
o First time Agamemnon insults him = he keeps quiet (showed humility and
restraint)
o P. 198 spoke up / said what he felt / found his voice
The role Nestor plays again a mediator between Agamemnon and Diomedes
Nestor blames AGAMEMNON for the Akhaians troubles
o Gave way to your pride and dishonored a great prince (Akhilleus)
Nestors two-fold offer to make full amends to Akhilleus
o Friendly gifts
o Affectionate words
Missing in Agamemnons offer despite all the gifts APOLOGY
o His offer was actually bribery
o There was the lack of affectionate words
Why the choice of Aias, Phoinix, and Odysseus?
o Phoinix father figure of Akhilleus / leader since he is older
o Odysseus persuasive + good speaker
o Aias strong, defensive warrior / beg Akhilleus to return (desperate times call
for desperate measures)
Playing the lyre and singing: What has become of Akhilleus
o LOST HIS PURPOSE
o Agamemnon removed his reason for fighting
o Music expression of profound emotions
o Reminisce the times when he was in war
The disappointment Akhilleus voices out to Odysseus regarding his heroic life
o Agamemnon is getting him back for Agamemnons own benefit
o Life > riches
o A life without purpose, honor, glory = not worth fighting for
o Agamemnon not only got his war prize, but also questioned his being
The three times Akhilleus changed his mind about leaving or staying
o 1. He was to sail home (Phoinix)
o 2. He was deciding whether to sail home or stay (Odysseus)
o 3. Decides to stay (Aias) Aias speech was the one that worked (shortest)
o Aias affected Akhilleus most / speech straight to the point (less is more)
Why Akhilleus hates Agamemnons gifts
o Lines 470-474
o VENGEANCE not being better
o Never-ending cycle of getting back at the other

o Not if his gifts outnumbered the sea sands or all the dust grains in the world
could Agamemnon ever appease me not till he pays me back full measure, pain
for pain, dishonor for dishonor VENGEANCE
o HATES Agamemnon
For Akhilleus, the choice that all heroes must make
o Glory or long life
The 3 parts of Phoinixs speech
o Establish his credentials
o Prayers
o The story of Meleagros
Why Akhilleus reply to Phonix sound like the words of an outsider
o like an OUTSIDER because they live in a society where honor is very important
o This is an honor I can live without
The same mistake Aias makes as Agamemnon
o Thinks he can win Akhilleus through material gifts
What Odysseus fails to report to Agamemnon
o What Akhilleus actually said (line 842)
o He reports that Akhilleus plans to SAIL HOME
o But Akhilleus chose the short but glorious life no longer thinks about sailing
home
o Odysseus does not mention that Akhilleus will fight only if Hektor will come near
the ships will destroy the morale of the Akhaians
o SHIPS their last line of defense/last hope + if burned down = no more hope
o Akhilleus pride INCREASES show me that you NEED me
Significance of Diomedes closing speech
o Advises the Akhaians to rest

BOOK TEN Night in the Camp: A Foray

flute sounds and pipes = symbolized the superiority of the Trojans

Diomedes ideal junior commander

BOOK ELEVEN Prowess and Wounds of Akhaians

BOOK TWELVE The Rampart Breached