Discussion Questions for the Iliad (I)

Terms
Epic
Proem
Agency
Legitimacy

Note: My discussion questions are generally not those directly addressed in lecture. They are meant to point to aspects or moments of the poem that might be related to the topics of the lectures, or that could provoke other important conversations about the work.

1. Why does the poem begin where and as it does? Why begin a poem about the Trojan War with the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon?

2. Who is present for the quarrel scene?  Why does it matter?

3. Who is Thetis? What does Achilles want from her? [And, longer term—is his request fulfilled?] How do you understand her conversation with Zeus?

4. How does Agamemnon test his men? How does the test go?

5. How does Odysseus convince the soldiers to fight?

6. How do you understand Helen’s character? (See also Book 6) What are the Trojans like?

7. In 4.59-79 Hera offers a deal to Zeus. What is it? What do you make of it?

8. What happens between Glaucus and Diomedes? Why?

9. How do you understand the exchange between Hector and Paris? Hector and Andromache? Hector and Astyanax?