The IliadThe Iliad

by Homerby Homer

Socratic Seminar: Socratic Seminar: Discussion Questions Discussion Questions

1. What makes a hero?1. What makes a hero?

2. What makes a good leader?2. What makes a good leader?

3. Girls, would you allow a war to be started over 3. Girls, would you allow a war to be started over you? A fight?you? A fight?

4. Boys, would you start a war over a girl?4. Boys, would you start a war over a girl?

5. Would you fight for a family member even if 5. Would you fight for a family member even if you knew they were wrong?you knew they were wrong?

6. Is war ever a good idea?6. Is war ever a good idea?

7. When a politician today does not win, who or 7. When a politician today does not win, who or what does he blame it on?what does he blame it on?

8. In society how do we gain glory?8. In society how do we gain glory?

9. How do you control your rage? 9. How do you control your rage?

10. What is hubris? Who is someone who is 10. What is hubris? Who is someone who is hubris?hubris?

Elements of the Epic Elements of the Epic

An extended narrative poem recounting An extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, specific actions, travels, adventures, specific rhyme, and heroic episodes and written rhyme, and heroic episodes and written in a high style (with ennobled diction). in a high style (with ennobled diction).

These elements helped them to These elements helped them to memorize the poem.memorize the poem.

Epic Structure Epic Structure Invocation to the muse or other deity ("Sing, Invocation to the muse or other deity ("Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles") goddess, of the wrath of Achilles")

Story begins Story begins in medias resin medias res (in the middle of things) (in the middle of things)

Catalogs (of participants on each side, ships, sacrifices) Catalogs (of participants on each side, ships, sacrifices)

Histories and descriptions of significant items (who made a Histories and descriptions of significant items (who made a sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from generation to generation) generation to generation)

Epic simile (a long simile where the image becomes an object Epic simile (a long simile where the image becomes an object of art in its own right as well as serving to clarify the subject). of art in its own right as well as serving to clarify the subject).

Epic Structure –Cont.-Epic Structure –Cont.- Frequent use of epithets ("Aeneas the true"; "rosy-Frequent use of epithets ("Aeneas the true"; "rosy-

fingered Dawn"; "tall-masted ship") fingered Dawn"; "tall-masted ship")

Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name): Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name): "Anchises' son" "Anchises' son"

Long, formal speeches by important charactersLong, formal speeches by important characters Journey to the underworld Journey to the underworld

Use of the number three (attempts are made three times, Use of the number three (attempts are made three times, etc.) etc.)

Previous episodes in the story are later recounted Previous episodes in the story are later recounted

The Epic Hero Cycle The Epic Hero Cycle 1. The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities. 2. The hero is charged with a quest. 3. The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest. 4. The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and human helpers and companions 5. The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering. 6. The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated. 7. A resurrection. 8. Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne.

Homer, the epic poet Homer, the epic poet Classical Greek Poet Classical Greek Poet Told stories orallyTold stories orally Is known for capturing and passing down Is known for capturing and passing down

Greek Mythology and Greek Mythology and The Iliad The Iliad and and The The Odyssey Odyssey

He wrote about preserving honor. Honor He wrote about preserving honor. Honor is the most important thing. is the most important thing.

The Iliad: Why Do We The Iliad: Why Do We Study It? Study It?

Learn a little about an ancient world whose ideas have greatly Learn a little about an ancient world whose ideas have greatly influenced our own worldinfluenced our own world

Be familiar with the first piece of literature the western world has Be familiar with the first piece of literature the western world has to offerto offer

Discover an eventful, exciting war story. Discover an eventful, exciting war story. Gain insight into the minds of men in the desperate Gain insight into the minds of men in the desperate

circumstances of war circumstances of war

Themes in The Iliad Themes in The Iliad

RageRage Glory of WarGlory of War Role of Women in Ancient CivilizationRole of Women in Ancient Civilization Military and glory over familyMilitary and glory over family Human life and the role of the godsHuman life and the role of the gods Hubris Hubris

Pre-IliadPre-Iliad Paris/ Alexandros takes Helen back to TroyParis/ Alexandros takes Helen back to Troy Hera and Athena have hate for Troy and Hera and Athena have hate for Troy and

Aphrodite because Paris says Aphrodite is the Aphrodite because Paris says Aphrodite is the most beautiful. most beautiful.

Greeks and Trojans have been in war for 9 Greeks and Trojans have been in war for 9 years.years.

Agamemnon steals the duaghters of Apollo’s Agamemnon steals the duaghters of Apollo’s priest and then Apollo plagues the city. priest and then Apollo plagues the city.

A Clip Introduction to the A Clip Introduction to the IliadIliad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADNWwTmgKbw

Independent Writing: Independent Writing:

You will have 5 minutes to brainstorm and then You will have 5 minutes to brainstorm and then 20 minutes to write 2-3 paragraphs answering 20 minutes to write 2-3 paragraphs answering the following questions:the following questions:

How can modern society define a hero? Who How can modern society define a hero? Who is an example of a hero? What makes him or is an example of a hero? What makes him or her heroic?her heroic?

I will be looking for a strong thesis statement, I will be looking for a strong thesis statement, development, and specific details. development, and specific details.