Iliad 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Iliad 16
It was further revealed in this chapter that even Zeus is subject to the fates, though he may oppose them. The consequences of opposing them are not revealed, but it is definitely looked down upon by the gods. Zeus had to witness the death of his own son, and did not pull him out of harms way in the manner of other gods and men in earlier chapters. Perhaps this restraint is evidence of Zeus' heiarchal placement above the others gods? Patroclus finally falls in this chapter to Hector, but we know the Hector's death is only moments away.
Iliad 17
A bloody battle ensues over the fallen body of Patroclus. The similes continue to build up the image of an offended lion who has put up with the death of a cub and continued attack, though the lion must stay at bay, it continues to build in anger. This foreshadows, I believe, the coming of Achilles to the battle who will turn the tide. The animal imagery is incredible. Even more so is the picture of Achilles' horses, who weep for the loss of Patroclus. Zeus even hears their cries and instills in them a deadly fire with which they burn to fight the enemy. The war has become very animal like in humans as well. It is a bloody contest of honor... two sides fueled by continued stimulation from the gods like cocaine, they are determined to burn themselves out until the bloody end. It would seem the gods almost wonder what they have done as they watch their favorites die bloody deaths.
lliad 18
In a moment of temporary respite from battle, the Greeks barely get Patroclus out of the battle, with the two Ajaxs' holding off a swarm of Trojans. Achilles mourns the loss of his comrade and is roused to battle, though he grieves through the night with the other Greeks for the loss of a great man. Hephaestus forges the great armor for Achilles. A shield that represents the culture, the struggle of life and all that is being fought for. Crafted 5 layers thick, this shield is nothing to laugh at. It is almost like a nuclear weapon in the hands of an angry, powerful giant, and Thetis is taking it to Achilles.
Iliad 19
Achilles is stricken with grief and rage such that he can't think rationally. Thankfully, Odysseus helps get the troops a meal. Here, it is revealed that Agamemnon is not necessarily to blame for his insult to Achilles, but rather it was a trick of the meddling gods. Now, the dispute is out in the open. Many women and gifts are given to Achilles, but he knows he is going to die anyway, so it doesn't really matter, although I was surprised he didn't care to see Breichius, his wife. Athena helps Achilles get some nourishment for the battle and he puts on his god-forged armor, ready to unleash his fury on the Trojans who are about to lose the war.
Iliad 20
The gods now enter into battle, picking sides, and it is not clear what Zeus has ordained, though we know the Greeks will win. Achilles enters the battle with rage. It becomes clear that the gods who support the Trojans think like the trojans. Like the earlier chapter when they sent warriors into battle that would not survive, Apollo sends Aeneus into battle against Achilles knowing he will not survive and not planning on helping him. This makes a worse case for the Trojans. The gore described magnifies and signifies the rage of Achilles, his godlike wrath and destruction.
It was further revealed in this chapter that even Zeus is subject to the fates, though he may oppose them. The consequences of opposing them are not revealed, but it is definitely looked down upon by the gods. Zeus had to witness the death of his own son, and did not pull him out of harms way in the manner of other gods and men in earlier chapters. Perhaps this restraint is evidence of Zeus' heiarchal placement above the others gods? Patroclus finally falls in this chapter to Hector, but we know the Hector's death is only moments away.
Iliad 17
A bloody battle ensues over the fallen body of Patroclus. The similes continue to build up the image of an offended lion who has put up with the death of a cub and continued attack, though the lion must stay at bay, it continues to build in anger. This foreshadows, I believe, the coming of Achilles to the battle who will turn the tide. The animal imagery is incredible. Even more so is the picture of Achilles' horses, who weep for the loss of Patroclus. Zeus even hears their cries and instills in them a deadly fire with which they burn to fight the enemy. The war has become very animal like in humans as well. It is a bloody contest of honor... two sides fueled by continued stimulation from the gods like cocaine, they are determined to burn themselves out until the bloody end. It would seem the gods almost wonder what they have done as they watch their favorites die bloody deaths.
lliad 18
In a moment of temporary respite from battle, the Greeks barely get Patroclus out of the battle, with the two Ajaxs' holding off a swarm of Trojans. Achilles mourns the loss of his comrade and is roused to battle, though he grieves through the night with the other Greeks for the loss of a great man. Hephaestus forges the great armor for Achilles. A shield that represents the culture, the struggle of life and all that is being fought for. Crafted 5 layers thick, this shield is nothing to laugh at. It is almost like a nuclear weapon in the hands of an angry, powerful giant, and Thetis is taking it to Achilles.
Iliad 19
Achilles is stricken with grief and rage such that he can't think rationally. Thankfully, Odysseus helps get the troops a meal. Here, it is revealed that Agamemnon is not necessarily to blame for his insult to Achilles, but rather it was a trick of the meddling gods. Now, the dispute is out in the open. Many women and gifts are given to Achilles, but he knows he is going to die anyway, so it doesn't really matter, although I was surprised he didn't care to see Breichius, his wife. Athena helps Achilles get some nourishment for the battle and he puts on his god-forged armor, ready to unleash his fury on the Trojans who are about to lose the war.
Iliad 20
The gods now enter into battle, picking sides, and it is not clear what Zeus has ordained, though we know the Greeks will win. Achilles enters the battle with rage. It becomes clear that the gods who support the Trojans think like the trojans. Like the earlier chapter when they sent warriors into battle that would not survive, Apollo sends Aeneus into battle against Achilles knowing he will not survive and not planning on helping him. This makes a worse case for the Trojans. The gore described magnifies and signifies the rage of Achilles, his godlike wrath and destruction.
posted by DCZX at 6:53 PM
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