ILIAD 13-16
Due Wednesday, September 19, 2007.
Answer the questions that end with the same digit as the
last digit of your U of AR ID.
Please type. No late answers will be accepted.
ILIAD 13
1. How does Poseidon travel, and what is his goal? (11-41)
2. How does Poseidon inspire the Ajaxes, and why is his choice of form
effective? What is the reaction of Oilean Ajax to his appearance? (49-75)
3. What does Poseidon say to the Achaian fighters about Agamemnon, and
why do you think he says it? (112ff.)
4. What does Idomeneus say about the coward and the brave man? (289ff)
5. What kind of relationship between Zeus and Poseidon do we see in this
book and in book 15? (13. 355ff; 15.185-220)
6. What cruel taunt does Idomeneus offer over the dead Othryoneus? (375-400)
7. Why does Idomeneus recite his lineage after he kills Alcathoous? How
did Poseidon make it easier for Idomeneus to win? What is his lineage? (440-472)
8. Why do you think that the poet uses the second person to address his
characters at 13.629, 15.373, and 16.790?
9. Why was Paris angered at Harpalion’s death, and whom did he kill in
response? What was the prophecy about him? What does the name Polyidus mean,
and why is it appropriate? (690-707)
10. How would you characterize the conversation between Ajax and Hector
at the end of this book? How do they refer to each other? (852ff)
Iliad 14
11. What are Agamemnon’s plans and Odysseus’ reaction? What are their
reasons for their arguments? 62-102)
12. Why does Diomedes recite his lineage during the argument between
Odysseus and Agamemnon? How effective is his speech? (105-130)
13. How do Hera’s preparations for her scheme to trick Zeus remind us
of an “arming scene” of a Greek hero (such as that of Agamemnon
at 11.15 ff)?
14. Why does Hera lie to Aphrodite about the reason she wants the love
charm? (188ff)
15. What does Aphrodite give to Hera? Why is she so willing to help her?
What is the etymology of the word “Aphrodisiac”? (212ff.)
16. Why is Sleep reluctant to help Hera? Why does he reject her first
offer? Why does he accept her second offer? How does his request match the
mood of the scene between Zeus and Hera following it? (230-285)
17. What is the purpose(s) of the Zeus’ listing his former lovers before
he makes love with his wife? What is the effect on the audience of the poem
(you!)? (315ff.)
18. What kind of impromptu bedroom does Zeus create for his tryst with
his wife? How does it reflect the fertility of their relationship as king
and queen of heaven? (345ff.)
19. How do the similes at lines 400 and 420 contribute to setting the
scene for the actions of this book? To which of the five senses do they
appeal, and why would the author choose to include them?
20. What kinds of taunts do Polydamas, Ajax, Acamas, and Peneleos make
at the end of this book, and what is the effect of each on the recipients?
What do you think is the purpose of these kinds of speeches? (457-520)
Iliad 15
21. When Zeus wakes up after making love to his wife, how has his attitude
towards her changed? Why? What oath does Hera take in response? Does she
perjure herself? (1-50)
22. How does Zeus impose his will and predict the future? (51-78)
23. How does Hera rile Ares up, and why do you think she does so? (102ff)
24. What is Athena’s reaction to Ares’ impulsive act? (115ff)
25. What is Poseidon’s reaction to Iris’ message? (176-219) How does
Iris get him to change his mind?
26. What does Zeus offer to Apollo, and how does Apollo use it? (225-369)
27. How effective is Nestor’s prayer to Zeus? (373-402)
28. How does Zeus protect Hector, and why does he do so? (472-518)
29. Why is it appropriate that Apollo protects Polydamas? (540ff)
30. The poet reminds us of the main theme of the Iliad in this
book. How do the poet’s words at 621ff reiterate the main theme of the Iliad,
as elucidated in book 1?
Iliad 16
31. What three things does the poet compare Patroclus with (3, 7, 49)
How appropriate are these images? What effect do they have on the audience
of the poem (you!)?
32. What is Achilles’ reaction to Patroclus’ speech that includes the
provocative exclamation “You and your damned Honor!” (34-35) How
does Achilles justify sending Patroclus out to fight in his place?
33. What are Achilles’ special instructions to Patroclus (85ff)? What
does he say about his sense of honor? What does the end of his speech say
about the strength of his friendship with Patroclus? (102ff)
34. In Patroclus’ arming scene, Homer specifically tells us that Patroclus
does not take Achilles’ spear. Why? How does this relate to Nestor’s cup
in book 11 (11.674) How does it relate to Achilles’ cup in this book (229ff)?
What is special about Achilles’ horses?
35. What is Zeus’ reaction to Achilles’ prayer? (242ff) Why do you think
that he does not grant him all he wants?
36. What is ominous about the simile at 265ff?
37. Look at Zeus and Hera’s reaction to the impending death of Sarpedon
(468ff). What does this say about the gods’ powers over mortal affairs?
38. How does Sarpedon’s death affect the Trojan fighters? the Greek fighters?
(570ff)
39. What is remarkable about Patroclus’ words to Meriones at 655, in
light of lines 778ff?
40. Why is it ironic that Hector rejects Patroclus’ prophecy about his
(Hector’s) death (899), considering which god has been Hector’s patron at
the end of this book, and who has just helped him to kill Patroclus?
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