Greek Epics II: Iliad Book 1, or Greek Heroes are Whiny

Posted byTriumvir ClioPosted inGreek Epics, The Greeks

In this episode, we begin reading the Iliad at a logical point: Book 1. There’s a lot of whining and whinging going on in this book, and I’m not sure any of it is really justified…

Discussion Prompts
  1. What do you think of the Iliad so far?
  2. What translation are you reading?  Audio or print?
  3. In the podcast, we looked at a few themes that will be explored throughout the entire text.  Are there other themes that stand out to you?  Where?  Why?
  4. How do you think Achilles really feels about Briseis?  Is there something more than the loss of honor going on when he is forced to give her to Agamemnon?  
  5. So far the only mortal women we have met are Chryseis and Briseis.  What do you think they are feeling about the events of Book One?

Published by Triumvir Clio

I have a BA in History and Classical Civilization from Loyola University Chicago and an MPH from Western Michigan University. I've been a geometry teacher, a religion teacher, a writing tutor. I'm a writer, a knitter, a dancer, a singer, an actor. And, yes, for fun I like to reread everything that was assigned while getting my classics degree.

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