Author: Homer

Presentation by: Raheem Perkins

The Iliad

Overview

•Medias Res

•Vast Setting

•Beginning with a Muse

•Theme is stated in the beginning

• Epithets are used frequently

•Long Lists

•Formal Speeches occur

•Divine Intervention is always shown

•The story shows heroes that are embodiment of civilization

•There is a few examples of travelling to the underworld.

Epic Poem Characteristics

Achilles

Hector

Agamemnon

The Gods

“Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls, great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the dogs and birds, and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end. Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed, Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles.”

Essential Quotes

“All this weighs on my too, dear woman. But I would die of shame to face the men of Troy and the Trojan women trailing their long robes if I would shrink from battle now, a coward.”

“We everlasting gods . . . Ah what chilling blows

we suffer—thanks to our own conflicting wills—

whenever we show these mortal men some kindness.”

Essential Quotes Cont.

“There is nothing alive more agonized than man of all that breathe and crawl across the earth.”

Essential Quotes Cont.

• The Glorification of War• The Importance of Military

Status• The fate of human

creation and their purpose

Themes

• • Invocation• • Flashback• • Meter (dactylic hexameter)• • Foreshadowing• • Personification

Literary Terms

Historical Background

Achaean’s Ships

Achilles Shield

Omens

Burials