HOMER, THE ILIAD, Pt. 6
Books XIV-XVIII

STUDY QUESTIONS

6. Iliad, Books 14-18

When Iris tells Poseidon not to reenter the fighting, on what grounds does he object to being required to obey Zeus? Does he eventually heed Iris’s message?

After pleading with Achilles to pity the Achaeans, Patroclus says "if down deep some prophecy makes you balk, some doom your noble mother revealed to you from Zeus, well and good: at least send me into battle, quickly" (line 16.40-42) How does Achilles respond to Patroclus insinuating that Achilles will not fight because of the prophecy?

What condition does Achilles require before returning to battle?

Homer mimics the first line of the book when calling upon the Muse to tell the story of the burning of the ships. (lines 16.134-136) Why does Homer do this?

Despite his tremendous anger, what does Achilles do when the ships start to burn?

In his prayer for Patroclus, we get to see Achilles heart stripped of any outward show. What do we learn of his real concerns from his prayer? Lines 16.276-293.

After Patroclus retreats Apollo encourages Hector to pursue him. Even though Hector is able to kill Patroclus what are the actual circumstances that make his victory somewhat inglorious?

At the end of book 16 Patroclus gives a prophetic speech as he dies. This speech and the following description of his death (lines 996-1010) very closely resemble the speech at and description of Hector’s death in book 22 lines 422-432. Some scholars say that these two sections are so similar because it was easy for Homer merely to reuse the same lines for Hector’s death rather than having to take the time to write new lines. Can you think of a better explanation for the similarity that does not lead us to believe that Homer was such a lazy knuckle-dragger? Notice the differences as well as the similarities between the two passages!

When Hector strips Patroclus armor and puts it on himself why is he rebuked by Zeus? (lines 17.230-239)?

The speech of Achilles’ in lines 18.91-150 gives us a remarkable example of "changed thinking." Yet, when it comes to the actual reasons why Achilles was refraining from battle, the same conditions remain- the prophecy concerning his own death remains, Agamemnon still has not truly shown him respect, he has not been given Briseus back and the Trojans have not yet reached his own ships. Read Achilles speech (lines 18.91-150) and answer in as much detail as possible- Why is he willing to abandon all these considerations and rush headlong into battle regardless of any of them being fulfilled? How did his thinking change so quickly?