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Alexandra Cequeria
The Iliad by Homer
About the Author
Homer composed The Iliad and The Odyssey, two of the oldest and most significant works in Greek
literature. There is a lack of certainty when it comes to Homer and his works. In earlier centuries,
scholars speculated that Homer was not a singular author, but a name that was attached to works
written by multiple people. However, in recent years scholars believe that Homer really was a
singular author due to the consistencies in plot and character construction throughout both works.
Plot Summary
The story begins in the tenth year of the Trojan War and takes place over fifty-one days. The Greeks
have taken many spoils of war, including the daughter of Chryses, a priest of the god Apollo.
Chryses comes to the Greeks’ camp to ask their leader, King Agamemnon, for his daughter’s
release. When Agamemnon refuses, and Apollo bestows a plague on the Greeks. In an assembly
summoned by Achilles, the Greeks demand that Agamemnon release the girl to appease Apollo.
Agamemnon agrees, but to compensate he takes Briseis, Achilles’s favorite slave. Enraged, Achilles
prays to his goddess mother Thetis to get a promise from Zeus that the Greeks will fail in their
efforts against the Trojans until Briseis is returned and Achilles’s honor is restored. Achilles’s
request is granted, and the Trojans successfully attack the Greeks. Achilles’s best friend Patroclus
eventually intervenes, requesting to go into battle in Achilles’s place. Achilles bestows Patroclus
with his armor. This fools the Trojans into thinking that Achilles has returned to battle. However,
this plan backfires when Hector, the Trojans’ greatest warrior, kills Patroclus. Devastated, Achilles
returns to battle and kills many Trojans, including Hector. The Iliad ends with Hector’s funeral,
along with the prophecy of Achilles’s eventual death and the fall of Troy.
Themes
Wrath- The wrath that is expressed in multiple characters cause the prolonged violence of the
Trojan War and the eventual fall of Troy.
Devastation- There is both physical and emotional devastation in this epic poem. The physical
devastation is due to the prolonged battles and war, while the emotional devastation is
due to the deaths of beloved friends and family.
Gods- The Greek gods often interfere in the dealings of mortals in the epic poem. Apollo spreads
plague and assists the Trojans. Achilles is assisted by his mother Thetis and Zeus.
Alexandra Cequeria
Mortality- Many great mortal men meet their demise in the Trojan War. Achilles, a half-god,
eventually dies as well, despite Thetis’s efforts to immortalize her son.
Power- Power is represented in both mortal and immortal characters. Achilles and Hector are
the best warriors from opposing sides. Apollo and Zeus also have the abilities to influence
the war.
Connection to the Course
The Iliad is a vitally important text to Greek history. However, it does not stand alone. There are
other ancient poems from the same time that offer descriptions of events that occurred before,
during, or after The Iliad. If the argument that Homer is not a singular author is true, then these
works that were collectively written resemble Coetzee’s and Daoud’s efforts to recreate an
alternative perspective to an original text.
The themes of devastation and destruction can be seen in multiple texts we have read, particularly
One Hundred Years of Solitude. The eventual fall of Troy resembles the demise of Macondo. The
emotional destruction of war can also be reflected in both stories, even if they are represented
differently. While Aureliano loses his ability to feel and sympathize after the war, Achilles
rampages after the death of his friend Patroclus. These two characters represent a spectrum of
emotional damage, ranging from too little emotion to an excess of emotion.
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2016.
Kahane, Ahuvia. Homer: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury, 2012. Print.
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Struck, Peter T. "Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer." Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer. N.p., 2009. Web. 01
Mar. 2016.
Struck, Peter T. "Greek & Roman Mythology - The Trojan War." Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer. N.p., 2009.
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