ILIAD WRITING ASSIGNMENT.
CLST 1003: INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL STUDIES, GREECE
Illustration: Hector’s Farewell to Andromache,
Iliad 6 (Flaxman’s Iliad of Homer, 1805)
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING.
DUE: 30 SEPTEMBER, 2009.
This essay assignment is a way to help students get into the mindset
of the characters of the Iliad by imagining that they are writing
the thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears, of a god or a mortal vitally
involved in the epic.
Choose one of the following, and begin taking notes on your essay from
the beginning of your reading. Do not wait until the last minute.
1. Thetis’ Letters to Nereus.
Imagine that you are Achilles’ mother Thetis. Re-read Iliad, books
1, 18, 19, and 24 and write four letters — in the character of Thetis
–to your father Nereus, recounting and reflecting on the events in each
book from your perspective. Be sure to quote at least one character in each
book. Please use Lombardo’s translation.
How did you feel in each book, and why? What do you expect/fear/anticipate
about the immediate (or long-term) future? Be creative, but try to write
a reasonably realistic representation of your character. Use Homer’s words
to guide you in forming an idea of what kind of character she has. Write
in her voice. If you express affection or hatred towards another character,
make sure that you explain the source of your emotion (i.e. why you like
or dislike someone).
Your essay should show that you have read and understood what is going
on in the text, and that you understand your character.
Length: Minimum: at least one page for each book; Maximum: ten pages
double-spaced 12-point type.
2. Hephaestus’ Letters to Charis.
Imagine that you are Hephaestus, the god of fire and the forge. Re-read
Iliad books 1, 18, 21, and 24 and write four letters — in
the character of Hephaestus — to your wife Charis, recounting and reflecting
on the events in each book from your perspective. Be sure to quote at least
one character from each book. Please use Lombardo’s translation.
How did you feel in each book, and why? What do you expect/fear/anticipate
about the immediate (or long-term) future? Be creative, but try to write
a reasonably realistic representation of your character. Use Homer’s words
to guide you in forming an idea of what kind of character he has. Write
in his voice. If you express affection or hatred towards another character,
make sure that you explain the source of your emotion (i.e. why you like
or dislike someone).
Your essay should show that you have read and understood what is going
on in the text, and that you understand your character.
Length: Minimum: at least one page for each book; Maximum: ten pages
double-spaced 12-point type.
3. Hera’s Diary.
Imagine that you are Hera, the wife of Zeus and Queen of Olympus. Re-read
Iliad books 1, 8, 14, 21, and 24 and write five diary entries,
recounting and reflecting on the events in each book, from your perspective.
Be sure to directly quote at least one character from each book.
How did you feel in each case, and why? What do you expect/fear/anticipate
about the immediate (or long-term) future? Be creative, but try to write
as a reasonably realistic representation of your character. Use Homer’s
words to guide you in forming an idea of what kind of character she has.
Write in her voice. If you express affection or hatred towards another character,
make sure that you explain the source of your emotion (i.e. why you like
or dislike someone).
Your essay should show that you have read and understood what is going
on in the text, and that you understand your character.
Length: Minimum: at least one page for each book; Maximum: twelve pages
double-spaced 12-point type.
4. Priam’s Journal.
Imagine that you are Priam, husband of Hecuba, king of Troy, and father
of Hector and Paris. Re-read Iliad books 3, 7, 21, 22, and 24 and
write five journal entries, recounting and reflecting on the events
in each book, from your perspective. Be sure to directly quote at least
one character from each book.
How did you feel in each case, and why? What do you expect/fear/anticipate
about the immediate (or long-term) future? Be creative, but try to write
as a reasonably realistic representation of your character. Use Homer’s
words to guide you in forming an idea of what kind of character he has.
Write in his voice. If you express affection or hatred towards another character,
make sure that you explain the source of your emotion (i.e. why you like
or dislike someone).
Your essay should show that you have read and understood what is going
on in the text, and that you understand your character.
Length: Minimum: at least one page for each book; Maximum: twelve pages
double-spaced 12-point type.
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