Greek Epics XXV: Iliad Book 24, or A Farewell to Arms

We have reached the concluding book of the I. It’s time to say farewell to Achilles, Patroklos, Hektor, and the rest.

Discussion Prompts
  1. What do you think about Achilles in this book? Why? Has your view of him changed over the course of the epic? Why or why not?
  2. Who do you think is the real hero of the Iliad? Why?
  3. Why do you think this epic ends where it does?
  4. Patroklos and Achilles. Discuss.
  5. Why do you think Helen has the final eulogy for Hektor?
  6. What do you think about the Iliad? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?

Greek Tragedy XIX: Euripides’s Heracleidae, or Somehow… Someday… Somewhere…

We already read Sophocles’s take on the death of Heracles. In this episode, we’ll look at Euripides’s take on what happens to the children of Heracles, or Heracleidae in Greek.

Discussion Prompts
  1. If you were directing this play today, where and/or when would you set it? How might this change some of the characters?
  2. What do you think the chorus is up to that puts them so close at hand when Iolaus calls for help?
  3. Why is Eurystheus so threatened by the Heracleidae?
  4. Why is Eurystheus threatened by Iolaus?
  5. AP Credit: Compare/contrast the characters of Eurystheus and Demophon.
  6. In some translations, the human sacrifice is an unnamed maiden. In the E. P. Coleridge translation I used to write this episode, she is given the name Macaria. Does this make a difference in how we view the human sacrifice storyline? Why or why not?
  7. Why do you think the maiden/Macaria is so ready and willing to die for the other Heracleidae?
  8. What do you think about the character of Alcmene?
  9. Why does Alcmene’s plan follow the letter (if not necessarily the spirit) of Athenian law?
  10. What do you think happens after this play ends?

Greek Myth XI: Hymns to Artemis, or You Remember Apollo’s Sister

Today we have two more Homeric Hymns, numbers 9 and 27, both dedicated to Artemis.

Discussion Prompts
  1. I described Artemis as being overshadowed by Apollo. Why might this be an apt description?
  2. Artemis is described as goddess of the dance in Hymn 27. Why do you think that is?
  3. I called Artemis a nature goddess. Do you think I am correct in that language? Why or why not?
  4. Apollo or Artemis? Why?

Greek Epics XXIV: Iliad Book 23, or That’s Your Funeral (If Your Name is Patroklos)

The Ancient Greeks knew how to throw a funeral!

Before we get to the discussion prompts, I did promise to share the song from whence I derived the subtitle of this episode. For those of you to whom this is new, enjoy! And for those of you who already know the song, enjoy singing along!

And for your listening pleasure, a little Anna Russell. And by “a little”, I mean almost 30 minutes. The funeral line I mentioned in the episode comes near the end, but the entire thing is funny whether or not you know opera, Shakespeare, or Italian.

Discussion Prompts
  1. Human sacrifice? Discuss.
  2. Aphrodite and Apollo keep Hektor’s body from decomposing and being eaten by the dogs. What does this say about Hektor? What does it say about Achilles?
  3. What do the funeral games symbolize?
  4. Why do you think Achilles announces that Agamemnon has won the spear toss?
  5. Does the ghost of Patroklos really appear? Or is it just a dream? Why?

Roman Comedy I: Plautus’s Cistellaria, or Maybe Plautus’s Oldest Play?

Welcome to Roman Comedy! We don’t know much about Plautus, including the dates of many of his plays. Cistellaria, or the Casket Play, might be the oldest. Or it might not. But it’s as good of a place to start as any, so that’s where we’ll start.

Discussion Prompts
  1. How would you update this play for a modern audience? Or would you?
  2. How would you address the issue of rape that underlies the entire plot of this play?
  3. What do you think of the end of this play?
  4. Why don’t we see more of Demipho?
  5. AP Credit: Identify the stock characters in this play.

Greek Epics XXIII: Iliad Book 22, or Chariots of Fire

It may not be a marathon, but there’s a lot of running in Book 22 of the Iliad.

Discussion Prompts
  1. Why do you think Hektor runs?
  2. What does the conversation among the gods say about fate? What about omnipotence?
  3. Why does Zeus need to weigh the fates of Achilles and Hektor?
  4. What should we think of Achilles and his vow to defile the body of Hektor? What should we think of Achilles’s actions after he does kill Hektor?
  5. Could Achilles have killed Hektor without the help of Athena?
  6. Andromache is Trojan by marriage. How do you think this affects her when Hektor dies?
  7. What are your thoughts on Achilles, Hektor, Priam, Athena, Hekabe, Andromache? Who is your favorite character? Why?

Greek Tragedy XVIII: Euripides’s Medea, or Kramer vs Kramer

Welcome to the messiest divorce in Greek mythology.

Discussion Prompts
  1. Why do you think the first character we meet is the nurse? How would you describe her relationship with Medea?
  2. Why do you think Jason is engaged to the princess?
  3. Does Medea’s revenge plot stem from Jason’s actions or from Creon’s? Why?
  4. Is Medea a threat because she’s a foreigner or because she knows magic? Why?
  5. Does Medea’s magic stem from her grandfather or from her woman’s wisdom? Why?
  6. Why does Medea kill her children? What would happen to them if they were to live instead? What if they had been daughters instead of sons? Do you think her actions would have been different? Why or why not?
  7. Do you think Aegeus will regret his kindness towards Medea? Why or why not?
  8. For AP credit: Compare and contrast Lady MacBeth and Medea.
  9. We never see the princess. How would you tell this story from her viewpoint?

Greek Epics XXII: Iliad Book 21, or Achilles is Fighting Who Now?

It’s Achilles against the world in Book 21 of the Iliad.

Discussion Prompts
  1. Where do we see the conflict between man and nature?
  2. What is the significance of the fight amongst the gods?
  3. What would you do if you were Priam, watching from the walls?
  4. Xanthos or Skamandros? Which name is better and why?
  5. We’ve seen Achilles fight a river. What other nature god would you want to see Achilles match up with?
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