The Iliad by Homer is a Greek epic that scares most people off. Not that I claim to have read it because of my interest in the Classics but after having read it as part of my syllabus I can safely say its not as difficult as it is made out to be. Many people dispute that Homer wasn't the only one who wrote this grand epic, but the continuity of theme and ideas throughout the XXIV (twenty four) books suggest it was one man's mind behind it all.
The epic poem raises issues of war and peace, Helen realizes she is going to be the most cursed woman of all times, we see both Achilles and Hector choose a moment of glory over a life of mediocrity, we see the god's interfere in the working of mortal men, we see them bickering amongst each other but most of all we see the futility and nothingness of war and what it leads to- fathers burying sons, sons losing fathers, wives losing husbands. Homer makes us think about what we have achieved at the end of it all. It is based on the wrath of Achilles and his Prayer to his mother Thetis and the consequences that follow.
As the poem begins, the Greeks have captured Chryséis, the daughter of Apollo's priest Chryses, and given her as a prize to Agamemnon. When Agamemnon threatens Chryses as he attempted to gain his daughter back, Apollo sends a plague against the Greeks. At an assembly called by Achilles, the Greeks compel Agamemnon to restore Chryséis to her father to stop the sickness. Agamemnon agrees reluctantly but also takes for himself Briséis, whom the Achaeans had given to Achilles as a reward for his efforts. This causes Achilles, widely seen as the best warrior of the war, to withdraw from the fighting- we see him sulking and brooding.
In counterpoint to Achilles' pride stands the Trojan prince Hector, son of King Priam, a husband and father who fights to defend his city and his family. With Achilles on the sidelines, Hector leads successful counterattacks against the Greeks, who have built a fortified camp around their ships pulled up on the Trojan beach. The best remaining Greek fighters, including Odysseus and Diomedes, are wounded, and the gods favor the Trojans as a result of Achilles prayer to his immortal mother. Then the Trojans finally threatened the Greek ships with fire, Achilles allows Patroclus, his best friend, impersonating him by wearing his armor, to lead the Myrmidons back into battle. The death of Patroclus at the hands of Hector brings Achilles back to the war for revenge as he blames himself for the loss, and he slays Hector in single combat. Hector's body is abused for days until his father, King Priam, comes to Achilles alone (but aided by Hermes) to ransom his son's body and Achilles is moved to pity. The funeral of Hector ends the poem.
The Iliad is an exploration of human psyche, Homer raises questions in this book which remain unanswered even today? That is the power of this epic poem it transcends time and space and will continue to do so…Be Brave, read it… ALL HAIL HOMER :) |