plot of the Iliad

The Will of Zeus is presented here as the plot of the narration or narrative arc that we know as the Iliad. The Greek noun boulē, translated here as ‘Will’, is what the god ‘wishes ... Continue reading

... use of the word eris ‘strife’ at Pindar Paean 6.50–53.) It is now revealed that the god Apollo has a basic role in the plot of the Iliad, and that he too was angry at Agamemnon, even before ... Continue reading

Achilles swears by the skēptron ‘scepter’ that he holds and then throws down to the ground. This oath of Achilles is correlated with the plot or narrative arc of the Iliad, starti ... Continue reading

... hero’s mēnis. [[cross-ref. I.01.233–246]] To the extent that the Oath of Achilles is sacred, so too is the coextensive plot of the Iliad. This plot or narrative arc, leading to devastation ... Continue reading

In the words of the immortal goddess Thetis, speaking to the all-powerful god Zeus on behalf of her mortal son Achilles, the status of this hero as ‘best of the Achaeans’ is linked ... Continue reading

... make the story of the Iliad happen. That is the Plan of Zeus, not only the Will of Zeus. Likewise coextensive with the plot of the Iliad is the Oath of Achilles, retold at I.01.233–246, whe ... Continue reading

The action of Zeus in nodding his head to express his Will results in his making contact, by way of metonymy, with the emotions of Achilles. The effect of such divine metonymy in m ... Continue reading

The reference here to the Will of Zeus, as recapitulated in the words of the goddess Hērā, repeats a main theme in the plot or narrative arc of the Iliad: the damaging of the tīmē ... Continue reading

... nth year of the Trojan War will not be quick and easy and painless but prolonged and difficult and painful. In the real plot of the Iliad, the Achaeans will suffer a new pain: they will find ... Continue reading

In situations of strife among heroes as warriors, there is contention over status. Quarreling happens, as indicated here by way of the verb neikeîn ‘quarrel with’. Positive things ... Continue reading

This verse shows that the hero Diomedes has a chance to qualify as the ‘best of the Achaeans’, aristos Akhaiōn. In the long run, however, in line with the plot or narrative arc of ... Continue reading

analysis of the application of aristos Akhaiōn to Diomedes in his aristeiaAlthough Diomedes is recognized as aristos Akhaiōn ‘best of the Achaeans’ here at I.05.416, in the present ... Continue reading

comment on aisa in the context of analyzing blame and praise (poetry)Here at I.06.333 as also at I.03.059, Paris actually accepts the words of blame directed at him by his quarreli ... Continue reading

This narrative centers on the aristeiā ‘epic high point’ of Agamemnon in the Iliad. On aristeiā ‘epic high point’, see the comment on I.05.103.This narrative centers on the aristei ... Continue reading

who is the best of Achaeans, analysis of the application of aristos to AgamemnonHere at I.11.288, Hector is boasting that Agamemnon, ‘the best man’, ho aristos, is now out of the p ... Continue reading

comment on the diction of Homeric poetry affirming that the wounding of a hero thwarts his aristeiaThe wounding of a hero, as in the case of the wound suffered by the hero Makhaon ... Continue reading

Zeus here reaffirms what he wishes or wills, that is, he reaffirms his plan. And this Plan of Zeus, which is the wish or Will of Zeus, will be coextensive with the plot or narrativ ... Continue reading

When Zeus sees Hector putting on the armor of Achilles, he nods his divine head, thus signaling his will, which in this case is a specific plan to make into a part of the overall n ... Continue reading