Iliad Journal Week #2
Class Day #4 8.30.18
Today we took our first quiz in class on books 1–5 of the Iliad. Following the quiz, we began to discuss book 5 of the Iliad. We started off with some keywords, notably aristos-best, arsteia-dramatic scene, and kleos-glory (not to be confused to be connected to the word clout). We discussed the Aristeia of Diomedes at the opening of Book 5. He is described as similar to radiance and fire. This stuck out to me particularly because I had not seen homer use such a description thus far in the poem. I find it interesting that this extra power and courage given to Diomedes was not internal, it was from Athene in order to help defeat the Trojans. I am still struggling to see if Greek mythology says more about mankind or the imagined ‘gods’. If the gods limit free will and decide matters on Earth, then who deserves the glory and blame when man acts well or poorly? As Dr. S pointed out today, Divine gifts can be ruinous. This can be seen with Achilles and his weakness in his heel. I want to do more research on the topic of free will in general but I think that the topic of free will in the poem is especially interesting.
Outside of Class 8.31.18- Hours 4–8pm
Today I read books 6–8 and answered the following questions
- What do you think it takes to have a strong marital partnership? To what extent do Hector and Andromache meet this standard?
I think that a strong marriage consists of love, patience, forgiveness, respect, truth, and open communication. I think that they love each other but I do feel that Andromache loves Hector much more than he loves her. Andromache has lost many people in her life and is a tragic character all by herself. I think that all of her loss has led her to feel that Hector is all she has left. She even alludes to this sentiment in book 6, telling Hector that Achilles had killed her brothers and father and that she could not bear losing him as well. She also predicts that he will die in battle and Hecktor reassures her, telling Andromache that if he dies, it is fate. A key moment after he says this is when he tells her to go back home to weave. Not only does he brush aside her concerns and predictions about his own death, he also exemplifies a conformity to gender norms, expressing his manhood and suppressing his wife’s position by dismissing her to go and do housework.
A question originally posed by Dr. Sandridge was why should we read literature, and specifically the Iliad. Many classmates responded that reading a piece of fiction allows us to see further into the human soul and experience and that the triumphs, strengths, vices, weaknesses, and downfalls of characters often mimicked traits found in real life. I find this to be one of those moments, where gender roles in a fictional text are rooted in a foundation of human experience.
2 . How does Hector compare to the other warriors in the epic so far? Do we have any reason to believe he can (or can’t) defeat Achilles?
Hector seems to be a powerful leader thus far in the poem. This is evidenced by the fact that at the beginning of Book 7 he re-enters the battle with Paris and the army is reinvigorated with new life. They start doing so well, that Athena decides to come down and put a stop to it before she is stopped by Apollo. I also find Hector to be a prideful warrior, much like many of the other warriors. I think that this, unfortunately, might limit his abilities to defeat Achilles. Despite Achilles being a demigod, overconfidence in one’s abilities can lead to grave vulnerabilities. In book 7 we see Hector challenge the Greeks to a one on one battle. This challenge intimidates the Greeks and Menelaus admits that there’s no match for Hector. Finally, the Greeks decide on Aias to fight. Aias taunts Hector to get inside of his head. The two fight, Hector is slightly wounded in the battle and thanks to Apollo helping him when he falls, he is able to get back up and avoid getting killed. After fighting, the two decide to call a truce. I think that the truce is another distinction between Achilles and Hector. I feel that in the midst of a battle, Achilles would not even consider such an offer and would continue to fight until the end. His menis, in my opinion, shows no mercy.
This is also another example of the gods getting involved in the affairs on Earth. It makes me question if it is even possible for someone to obtain glory or survive a fight without some sort of divine intervention. Also, if those on Earth are directed and helped by the gods, then why even have mankind exist in the first place? I guess another way of framing my question is: what purpose does mankind have in the eyes of the gods? Are they simply there to give glory and praise to the gods or are they simply entertainment or game that the gods play to pass the time. I find this to be a question that keeps coming up in my head especially given my background and interest in philosophy and questions free will.
Class #6 09.04.18
Unfortunately, our class was canceled today. We were supposed to talk about philanthropy, Adestros, xenia, and Andromache.
Was it fate that classes were canceled today? Did Athene have some control over the immense heat in Locke Hall, who knows!?
Outside of Class 09.04.18 1–3pm
Today I read Book 9 and answered the following questions:
- If you want to change someone’s mind, what emotions do you try to arouse in them?
I would try and appeal to their selfishness or pride. Often I find it easiest to convince someone of something if I am able to show them why a change benefits them. I believe that it is human nature to think about oneself before thinking of others. I also find love to be another powerful motivator if the person you are trying to convince has deep romantic or familial ties that can be exploited. Although I do not know if it is the strongest way to get an individual to change his or her mind, I also find that causing someone great and public shame can coerce them into doing what you want. People don’t like to be singled out and humiliated and will usually go to great lengths to protect their name and reputation because of their own ego and pride. Lastly, anger is a powerful emotion that can be used against someone. If I truly wanted to change someone’s mind, I might make them furious about an issue and insist that my plan of action is the only way to resolve the conflict at hand.
2. What emotions do Odysseus, Phoenix, and Ajax try to arouse in Achilles?
I believe that the three are attempting to make Achilles feel inspired and stable and confident in his abilities. I also think that they want Achilles to feel pity for the people who are suffering at the expense of his inaction.
3. What other ways (other than the emotions) do they try to persuade him to return to the battle?
The three men try to appeal to Achilles’ sense of pride and his inflated ego.
-Odysseus tells Achilleus how bad things are going for the Greeks. Then he reminds him how his father Peleus must have instructed him to be good to his friends and rein in his fearsome temper. He then shares Agamemnon’s offer word for word. The offer is but not limited to give back Briseis back unharmed, lots of plunder from Troy, seven captive women, and seven cities to rule. Also marriage with one of Agamemnon’s daughters. After this, he basically says that Achilles should think of his friends as well as the glory that could be won by killing Hector. Odysseus appeals to Achilles’ self-pride, especially with the mention of potential glory.
-Phoenix appeals to Achilles’ aversion to shame. He speaks of the origins of their relationship and how he had come to be one of Achilles’ mentors. He basically says that he didn’t raise Achilles just to have him freak out now. Additionally, Phoenix tells another long story of Meleagros, a similar hero who’s city was in danger. He refused to help fight because of a fight with his mother. After a long time of begging and offering Meleagros bountiful treasures, he fought and saved the city. The people, however, refused to give him anything they had promised because he was so cruel and manipulative in a time of need. Phoenix urges Achilles to take Agamemnon’s offer and to not make the same shameful mistake of Meleagros.
- As the three are about to leave, Aias also appeals to a sense of shame as he criticizes Achilleus for being so inflexible. He says that even parents whose children have been murdered have let their anger go when they were paid appropriate amends.
I am interested to see how books 10+ play out and although I know that Achilles will enter the battle and help the Greeks win, but I am interested what is able to finally convince him to join the fray. Is it glory? Is it Briseis? I have a feeling that it will be some sort of intrinsic motivating factor that activates his desire to join and not some altruistic obligation to help those around him. I am also curious to see how the gods decide to finish the war and what actions are taken or not taken in order to end the war. As mentioned, I have a lot of interest in the actions of the gods and how and when they decide to act and how it may impact or eliminate free will.