NOW THAT we are finished with our first drafts of The Ramayana essays, we can spend some time reading Homer's Iliad in earnest. Revisions are due this Wednesday.

Monday

Why does Thanksgiving matter? A brief lecture on ritual, food, and our next reading, Like Water for Chocolate, a modern novel on food and becoming a whole person. We will also have our last two readers, and then reviewing books 1, 3 and 5 for the six themes.
HW: Review books 1, 3 and 5 for the themes. Book 6 should be read by Wednesday. Your revision is due Wednesday as well.

Tuesday

Discussion of books 1, 3 and 5. We will start with some short written responses to questions, and then will talk about the themes in small group. We will also read a short anecdote about love, Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephastus.
HW: Finish book six and revising your essay.

Wednesday

Today we will discuss book six, primarily looking at the alliance between Diomedes and Glaucus, but then also the three women that Hector meets. What is Homer saying about hospitality and home in this book?
HW: Read book seven. What does this book say about war and respect for the ultimate sacrifice?

Thursday

Starting with the end of book seven, and the warrior's response to Nestor's plea and the burial of the dead. We will then go backwards, and look at Athena and Apollo's deciding of the fates. And then...a brief look at William Shatner's entry into the Greek pantheon.
HW: Read book eight. How do the gods respond to the human activity transpiring in book seven?

Friday

More feedback on essays. Time permitting, a short lecture on book three and five.
HW: Reading book nine and twelve, the failed assembly at Achilles' black ship and what happens as a result, the Trojans nearly taking the Greek camp.