the iliad books 9, 16, 23, 24 PDF

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Prof. Jessica Nowlin...

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Book 9: The Embassy to Achilles ● The Greeks are losing to the Trojans (led by Hector) ● Agamemnon (and other captains) beg Achilles to join battle, unsuccessful ● Agamemnon promises many things to Achilles, including: ○ 7 unfired tripods ○ 10 gold bars ○ 20 cauldrons ○ 12 prizewinning horses ○ 7 women from Lesbos (including Briseis) ○ Ship full of gold and bronze ○ Achilles’ choice of 20 Trojan women ○ One of Agamemnon’s daughters ○ 7 coastal cities Book 16: Patroklos’ aristeia ● Greeks are pressed against their ship and in danger ● Patroklos begs Achilles to rejoin battle, he still refuses ● Achilles lets Patroklos wear his armor to scare the Trojans and inspire the Greeks ● Patroklos forgets this and drives the Trojans all the way to their wells, and kills Zeus’ son Sarpedon ● Battle for Sarpedon’s body (rescued by Apollo) and armor (taken by Greeks) ● Apollo defends the walls of Troy against Patroklos, who attacks 3 times ● Hector is spurred into battle by Apollo in disguise, and taunted by Patroklos ● Patroklos is killed by Hector and Achilles’ armor is taken Typical pattern of an aristeia ● Hero is spurned into battle by a god ● Arming scene ● Appeal to companions ● Hero’s arete (“virtue”) is tested ● Hero is wounded ● Prayer to god and epiphany ● Hero returns to battle fresh and encouraged ● Big kill and taunting Book 23: Funeral of Patroklos Book 24: The Funeral of Hector, Breaker of Horses ● Priam ransoms Hector’s body from Achilles (w/ help from the gods) Achilles & Priam ● Achilles is unable to eat and sleep, continues desecrating Hector’s body ● Thetis convinces him to allow a ransom ● Hermes (in disguise) escorts Priam to the Greek gamp

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FINAL ADVICE: clasp Achilles by the knees, appeal to parents It works, Achilles feels pity and is inspired by his own parents & fated death They prepare the body for a burial and have a final meal together (xenia) Priam spends the night in the Greek camp

The mourning of Hector ● Priam and Achilles agree to an armistice (12 days) to allow for Hector’s funeral ● 9 days to gather wood for the pyre, cremation on the 10th day ● Bones and remains wrapped in cloth, buried in a gold casket, followed by an honorary feast...