THE ILIAD: close reading of key passages in the text

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THE ILIAD close reading of key passages in the
text of Achilles character.

• September 2009

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Characterization

• The techniques an author uses to create a
  character
• Direct description
• How a character behaves, what they say and what
  they do
• Explaining a characters thoughts / emotions (use
  of internal monologue)
• As you review book 22, pay attention to Homers
  characterization of Achilles!!!

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Close reading of character

• Copy down descriptions of Achilles from the text
  in your notebook. Then comment on what this
  tells the reader about Achilles. Please copy
  down and comment on the following quotes from the
  text, and explain what these quotes tell the
  reader something about Achilles. Also pay
  attention to what this reveals about ancient
  Greek culture.

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Some Samples from the first few pages

• Line 15 Achilles rose in arms like a god (596).
  
• This is Hectors description of Achilles. Even
  though Achilles and Hector are at war, Achilles
  is compared to a god. This shows that Hector
  respects Achilles and views him as a legend

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• Lines 40-43 Hell show no mercy, no respect for
  me, my rights hell cut me down straight off
  stripped of defenses like a woman once I have
  loosed the armor off my body (596).
• Hector is speaking about Achilles.
• From Hectors point of view, Achilles is
  merciless. He will take away Hectors
  masculinity (Like a woman once I have loosed the
  armor off my body), he will not only kill Hector,
  but also embarrass him.
• Once again this shows that Achilles is legendary,
  but it also hints at Achilles rage.

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• Lines 51-54 Achilles Like the god of war, the
  fighters helmet flashing, and the bronze around
  his body flared like a raging fire or the rising,
  blazing sun (597).
• What is Achilles being compared to?

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• Lines 51-54 Achilles Like the god of war, the
  fighters helmet flashing, and the bronze around
  his body flared like a raging fire or the rising,
  blazing sun (597).
• Homer uses fire imagery when depicting Achilles.
  
• This emphasizes Achilles strength, power, and
  burning rage.

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• Lines 58-63 Achilles went for him, fast, sure
  of his speed as the wild mountain hawk, the
  quickest thing on wings, launching smoothly,
  swooping down on a cringing dove and the dove
  flits out from under, the hawk screaming over the
  quarry, plunging over and over, his fury driving
  him down to beak and tear his kill (597)
• What animals are Hector and Achilles compared to?
  What does each animal represent?

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• Lines 58-63 Achilles went for him, fast, sure
  of his speed as the wild mountain hawk, the
  quickest thing on wings, launching smoothly,
  swooping down on a cringing dove and the dove
  flits out from under, the hawk screaming over the
  quarry, plunging over and over, his fury driving
  him down to beak and tear his kill (597)
• Achilles hawk Hector dove.
• Hawk violent, agile, powerful
• Dove innocent, little, pure, weak
• Homer compares Achilles battle skills to that of
  a hawk they are agile, persistent, and violent.
  This image establishes Achilles as skillful
  warrior, but also as one who is blood hungry.
  Achilles will stop at nothing!!!

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• P598 Lines 138-140
• And brilliant Achilles shook his head at the
  armies, never letting them hurl their sharp
  spears at Hector someone might snatch the
  glory, Achilles come in second (598 L138-40).
• Why is this the perfect example of Achilles as a
  homeric hero?
• Achilles wont let his army help because he wants
  to be the one to kill Hector he wants to be the
  one who receives the honor.

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Homework For each of the following, copy down
the full quote and in two or three sentences
explain both what is going on in the quote and
what it reveals about Achilles character. This
is due Friday!!!

• P600 lines 201 -204
• P601 lines 206-207
• P603 Lines 282
• P603 lines 288 290
• P604 liens 301-305
• P606 lines 359-360

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The END ?