HOMER, THE ILIAD, Pt. 7
Books XIX-XXIV
STUDY QUESTIONS
7. Iliad, Books 19-24
Achilles begins his speech to Ag., "Agamemnon- was it better for both of us, after
all, for you and me to rage at each other, raked by anguish, consumed by heartsick strife,
all for a young girl?" (lines 19.63-66) Who was it in the embassy that expressed this
same view of their conflict?
Rather than apologizing for allowing so many of his comrades to fall in battle during his
absence, what sentiment does Achilles express in his speech?
After Achilles speaks the Achaeans roar out in joy. When Agamemnon speaks he shows a
remarkable lack of self-composure. How is this manifested in the way he begins his
(lines 87-95) speech?
After this section Agamemnon tells this long story about Ruin (line 106-157). Why does he
tell this story and do you think it accomplishes his purposes?
What’s the significance of the fact that Achilles begins his speech by addressing
Agamemnon and Agamemnon begins his by addressing the army as a whole?
Who is Agamemnon addressing in line 158 when he says, "And so with me, I tell
you!"?
Who he is addressing is not clear until line 168 when "you" must be referring to
Achilles. What tone does this ambiguity give to his speech?
What is the disagreement that Agamemnon and Achilles have and why does Homer introduce it
at this point?
As Achilles prepares to return to the battle Homer shows his combination of grief and
hate- "his eyes blazed forth in searing points of fire, unbearable grief came surging
through his heart"(line 432-433). Achilles asks his team of horses to keep him from
harm but what do they reply?
As the Trojan retreat behind the walls, only Hector remains outside. His parents, watching
from on top of the wall, see Achilles coming and plead with Hector to join the rest of
them in the safe confines of the city. Priam knows all to well what happens to a king when
his city is overthrown, "the very dogs I bred in my own halls to share my table,
guard my gates--mad, rabid at heart they’ll lap their master’s blood".(line
80-81). We usually think that it is worse for a young person to die than an old person,
what is Priam’s view?
As Hector sees Achilles coming on, what are the thoughts that keep him from retreating
through the gates?
How is Hector finally brought to forsake his futile attempt to flee?
When Hector attempts to convince Achilles that they ought to form a pact, Achilles merely
replies, "wolves and lambs can enjoy no meeting of the minds" (line 311) What
does he mean by this?
In line 483, Homer says Hector’s mother groans as if "all Troy were torched and
smoldering". What is the irony in this?
When Achilles puts the lock of hair on Patroclus’ pyre why is that a sign that
Achilles has no hope of returning home?
During the games, we see Idomeneus and Ajax break out with a trivial quarrel, but what
event shows us the remarkably different spirit that now prevails among the commanders?
Why is the giant Ajax unable to bet Odysseus at wrestling?
What is Meriones tremendous feat with the bow and why was he able to accomplish such an
amazing feat?
At the end of the book, what is the final sign we are given of the reunion of Achilles and
Agamemnon?
What is Achilles' initial reaction at seeing Priam? (lines 563-567)
Why can Achilles and Priam have such a cordial meeting?
What insinuation does Priam make that angers Achilles?
What does it imply when Achilles says, "I may break the laws of Zeus"?
Is Achilles’ and Priam’s meeting a fitting ending to this book?
Have we seen the fall of Troy?
Is Achilles a believable character?
Does his being 1/2 immortal help us understand his character?
C.H. Whitman in his book, "Homer and the Homeric Tradition" points that whole
Iliad is actually one huge chiastic structure. The first and last books actually
repeat the same themes. The structure looks like this...
Book 1
A) The rejection of the father (Chryses) who wishes to ransom his daughter.
B) Quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon.
C) Thetis speaks to Achilles and agrees to take a message to Zeus.
D) Thetis and Zeus
E) Dispute among the gods.
Book 24
e) Dispute among the gods.
d) Zeus and Thetis.
c) Thetis speaks to Achilles, having brought a message from Zeus.
b) Friendly converse between Achilles and Priam.
a) Agreement that the father (Priam) man ransom the body of his son.
For the six-minute Iliad, go to http://phc.mpr.org/performances/19961012/