Iliad

As we read through Homer’s work, I would like you to annotate for the following themes. We will discuss the following books, in class, with these themes in mind: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20-24 (skipping books 2, 3, 10, 11, 13, 17 and 19). We will begin class by clearing up any comprehension questions. Discussion will primarily be focused upon what we learn about the culture in mythological terms. At the end of discussion, we will shift to contemporary connections that we make with epic-poem. The themes:

Leadership – strong and poor, skills needed, internal/external conflicts leaders face, resolve conflict, success/failure, etc.

Women – role, portrayals, as objects, positive/negative effects on men, archetypal roles, etc.

Weakness – emotions/actions perceived as weak, consequences of, perceptions of, effects of (fear, rage, greed, guilt, pride, etc.)

Honor – source of, attainment of, as motivation or obstacle, quest for, actions that ruin warrior’s honor, etc.

Alliances – how and why are alliances formed, hinder or help, forged or broken, how formed, etc.

Death – causes of, consequences of, coping, honor dead, rights of dead, archetypal patterns, relationship between death and war, etc.