The deaths of numerous soldiers in Book XIII truly depict the cost of war. These deaths are all brutal. Both Acheans and Trojans alike fall. Homer reminds the audiences both the winners and the losers suffer losses in war. There is no true victory. Homer’s use of epic simile further imprints death upon the minds of his audience. Strong soldiers fighting in battle are compared with massive trees that are cut down (Book 13, line 454). A more striking simile can be found beginning at line 660. This soldier is grasping for life; his dying breaths haunt my memory. The death of Harpalon is compared to the death of an earthworm (Book 13, line 754). We have all seen worms lying on the sidewalk after the rain. They die in mass, scorched by the hot sun. It is not the death of a hero. It is absolutely pointless. I can find no honor in this type of death.
Irony seems rich in Book XIV. Zeus and Hera have the weirdest possible marriage. When Zeus is overcome with lust for his wife, he convinces her to be with him by reminiscing about past flings. Hera doesn’t let it faze her, probably because she is only seducing him to advance the Acheans in battle.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Iliad, Books X-XII
In my readings I came across a phrase that I cannot shake. A walking Verfremdungseffekt (no, I’m not making the term up) refers to making strange what has become familiar. To the Greeks, the art of warfare has become familiar and commonplace. These factions have been warring for nearly a decade. Yet, Homer seems to make the war extraordinary. True many of his epic similes refer war and the soldiers to things in nature, but these still seem very foreign. Almost like Homer has to convince the audience that while war has many costs, it also seems to be natural.
Homer’s use of epic similes continues to really bring The Iliad to life. In a previous entry, I mentioned the description of two Achaean brothers who are like lions. Book XI compares the Trojans to a less noble creature—the jackal. Unlike the lion, these predators do not attack the strong and healthy animals. These Trojans prey upon the wounded. They simply finish off what another man has started (Book XI, lines 560-1). There is no honor in this. Furthermore, Homer seems to celebrate the hunted stag (in this case, I believe this to be honor or the spoils of war) as a resilient beast, able to escape the hunter but not the arrow. The stag sprints without becoming fatigued. Eventually, the strength has gone and these “ravening carrion packs begin their feasting” (Book XI, line 564). The Trojans are no better than vultures which come to gorge themselves upon rotting flesh. But, the noble lions (Agamemnon’s armies) are driven to the battle and the jackals (Trojans) flee like cowards. The lions receive all the glory from the war. What I find most interesting about this metaphor is that neither side kills the stag. It is the hunter which wounds the beast. Really, it is the gods who control fate and continue to pull the strings. Only by their approval does either side enjoy the spoils of war.
Homer’s use of epic similes continues to really bring The Iliad to life. In a previous entry, I mentioned the description of two Achaean brothers who are like lions. Book XI compares the Trojans to a less noble creature—the jackal. Unlike the lion, these predators do not attack the strong and healthy animals. These Trojans prey upon the wounded. They simply finish off what another man has started (Book XI, lines 560-1). There is no honor in this. Furthermore, Homer seems to celebrate the hunted stag (in this case, I believe this to be honor or the spoils of war) as a resilient beast, able to escape the hunter but not the arrow. The stag sprints without becoming fatigued. Eventually, the strength has gone and these “ravening carrion packs begin their feasting” (Book XI, line 564). The Trojans are no better than vultures which come to gorge themselves upon rotting flesh. But, the noble lions (Agamemnon’s armies) are driven to the battle and the jackals (Trojans) flee like cowards. The lions receive all the glory from the war. What I find most interesting about this metaphor is that neither side kills the stag. It is the hunter which wounds the beast. Really, it is the gods who control fate and continue to pull the strings. Only by their approval does either side enjoy the spoils of war.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Iliad Books VII-IX
Throughout Homer’s epic, there seem to be countless references to fate. In Book VII, there is an allusion to Troy—“her doom is sealed” (line 465). On an individual level, Achilles knows there are two fates which he cannot escape (Book IX, line 499). The Argives and Trojans did not fight their destiny. They accepted it whole-heartedly and believed that since it was the will of the gods it must be for the best. These soldiers listen to the gods and follow their advice. Time and time again, someone gets offended and is ready to kill someone. He stops to listen to the gods and avoids making a fatal error.
This seems so foreign to me as an individual. Perhaps it’s because I like the idea that I am in control of my life. Each individual has the opportunity to select how he will live. Circumstances might influence the choice, but it still exists. A person can choose the action, but not the consequence. In sharp contrast, few seem to take responsibility for their actions. When you have no one to blame but yourself for your situation, it’s easy to become depressed. American culture also runs too quickly for a person to stop and listen to the gods.
This seems so foreign to me as an individual. Perhaps it’s because I like the idea that I am in control of my life. Each individual has the opportunity to select how he will live. Circumstances might influence the choice, but it still exists. A person can choose the action, but not the consequence. In sharp contrast, few seem to take responsibility for their actions. When you have no one to blame but yourself for your situation, it’s easy to become depressed. American culture also runs too quickly for a person to stop and listen to the gods.
Monday, January 22, 2007
The Dead
Perhaps I should clarify: I only wish to discuss the two ladies which I find to be the most interesting--Lily and Gretta. Both characters seem to have some degree of difficulty accepting their specific role as a woman. (Molly Ivors seems to be a well-adjusted, strong woman; in my view, she has completely rejected her role and created a new one.)
As a very minor character, Lily is only present in th efirst few pages of "The Dead." As the caretaker's daughter, she seemed to accept her role with grace and dignity. She was competent and her employers both found her to be useful. She has completed her schooling, so now she must marry. Gabriel emphasizes these expectations most notably. Lily's bitterness is apparent: her opinion of men is very low. She has no intentions of marrying at this point in her life. The audience has no knowlegde as to what spurned this bitterness, but Lily has no desire to follow the traditional path.
Early in her life, Gretta was at a crossroads. Her first love, Michael Furey didn't want her to move to the convent, but Gretta knew what her role was. She tried to explain what was expected of her and of him, but he did not want to live in that worls. Her death reminds her of the choices she made to accept her own social role. As a result, she has no love towards her husband.
As a very minor character, Lily is only present in th efirst few pages of "The Dead." As the caretaker's daughter, she seemed to accept her role with grace and dignity. She was competent and her employers both found her to be useful. She has completed her schooling, so now she must marry. Gabriel emphasizes these expectations most notably. Lily's bitterness is apparent: her opinion of men is very low. She has no intentions of marrying at this point in her life. The audience has no knowlegde as to what spurned this bitterness, but Lily has no desire to follow the traditional path.
Early in her life, Gretta was at a crossroads. Her first love, Michael Furey didn't want her to move to the convent, but Gretta knew what her role was. She tried to explain what was expected of her and of him, but he did not want to live in that worls. Her death reminds her of the choices she made to accept her own social role. As a result, she has no love towards her husband.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Iliad, Books IV-VI
It always amazes me how within this epic leaders come to a truce, only to have the peace shattered so quickly. It isn’t that different from today I suppose. Also I kept focusing on just a small part of Book IV. Every generation always seems to think their generation is the best. Even in ancient Greece, soldiers are proclaiming “we are far, far greater than our fathers” (Book IV, line 471). The rising have very little appreciation for their elders. Technology and more education rarely produce wisdom.
It’s been a while since I’ve looked in epic similes. If I recall, they are extended metaphors/similes. There were several which might qualify, but one of my favorites was in Book V comparing Diocles’ two sons to two young lions (Book V, lines 637-641). Its emphasis on the brutality of these lions creates incredible insight into the pair’s combat style. These lions ravage and maul until they are hacked down.
Book VI features Helen in a completely different light (as close to the TMZ version as ancient Greece had). Her regrets and self-deprecation always startle me. Paris is in the room; he can hear EVERYTHING. After ten years of listening to your wife say, “I never should have left my first husband,” and “he was such a better man” I cannot understand why Paris and the Trojans do not sent her on the next plane packing. Different times, perhaps.
The Iliad really should be Hector. Throughout the entire work, he remains constant. He is a devoted husband and father and I love reading this chapter to see how he interacts with his beloved Andromache and their young son. Troy’s under attack, Hector’s life is in jeopardy, yet Hector’s primary concern is for his wife. Her agony and subsequent slavery gives him the most grief (Book VI, line 539-540). I’m not a romantic person, but this gets me every time.
It’s been a while since I’ve looked in epic similes. If I recall, they are extended metaphors/similes. There were several which might qualify, but one of my favorites was in Book V comparing Diocles’ two sons to two young lions (Book V, lines 637-641). Its emphasis on the brutality of these lions creates incredible insight into the pair’s combat style. These lions ravage and maul until they are hacked down.
Book VI features Helen in a completely different light (as close to the TMZ version as ancient Greece had). Her regrets and self-deprecation always startle me. Paris is in the room; he can hear EVERYTHING. After ten years of listening to your wife say, “I never should have left my first husband,” and “he was such a better man” I cannot understand why Paris and the Trojans do not sent her on the next plane packing. Different times, perhaps.
The Iliad really should be Hector. Throughout the entire work, he remains constant. He is a devoted husband and father and I love reading this chapter to see how he interacts with his beloved Andromache and their young son. Troy’s under attack, Hector’s life is in jeopardy, yet Hector’s primary concern is for his wife. Her agony and subsequent slavery gives him the most grief (Book VI, line 539-540). I’m not a romantic person, but this gets me every time.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Iliad, Books I-III
This isn’t my first time reading The Iliad. Each time I begin it, I am always amazed at the many reasons why people go to war and choose to fight. Achilles notes that “The Trojans never did me damage, not in the least” (Book I, line 180). His purpose in fighting was to secure more glory and riches for Agamemnon. Honor and disgrace play large roles in this decision to battle enemies. The Achaens make no efforts to hide their true aim: they wish to plunder Troy (Book II, line 156). In the end, Mother Earth embraces her children within her arms, leaving wives and children behind (Book II, line 798). These are some of the victims in the war, the ones who suffer.
The portrayal of Helen has always fascinated me. I’ve never really understood her. She had a really good thing going on with Menelaus. Then Paris comes, and Menelaus is suddenly not good enough. She throws away her old life with no regard to any of the consequences. If Hollywood were to present this story it would have Paris and Helen living happily ever after. But Homer shows his audience the honeymoon is over. Paris and Helen both regret the current situation. Helen is “lashing out at her husband” (Book III, line 499) and just rips her lover to shreds. But Helen’s contempt is not enough to cool Paris; his physical appetite has been whetted. Their entire relationship has been built upon sex. This dysfunctional couple seems to be the polar opposite of Hector and Andromache which is represented in Book VI.
The portrayal of Helen has always fascinated me. I’ve never really understood her. She had a really good thing going on with Menelaus. Then Paris comes, and Menelaus is suddenly not good enough. She throws away her old life with no regard to any of the consequences. If Hollywood were to present this story it would have Paris and Helen living happily ever after. But Homer shows his audience the honeymoon is over. Paris and Helen both regret the current situation. Helen is “lashing out at her husband” (Book III, line 499) and just rips her lover to shreds. But Helen’s contempt is not enough to cool Paris; his physical appetite has been whetted. Their entire relationship has been built upon sex. This dysfunctional couple seems to be the polar opposite of Hector and Andromache which is represented in Book VI.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Introduction
I've finally done it! One of my professors suggested using a blog as a journal to record some of my thoughts on the assigned reading. While I fully intend to use this blog for this purpose, I'm too busy to maintain more than one blog so I might add additional blogs about other stuff. Judging from my school load this semester, it will probably not be that often.
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