Summary of The Illidad by Homer

1519 Words4 Pages

The Iliad is a poem told by Homer that describes the horror of men and gods alike battling toward the destruction of both sides as it moves to the tragic conclusion of the Trojan War. Robert Fagles using his poetic and scholar skills to perfectly translates the Iliad using Bernard Knox’s introduction and notes. In his translation he sticks to maintain the drive music of Homer’s poetry, and evokes the impact of the Iliad’s repeated phrases. Fagles' translations emphasizes on English idioms and phrasings, but tries to stay as faithful to the original text as possible. Gary Wills from The New Yorker called Fagles “the best living translator of ancient Greek drama, lyric poetry, and epic into modern English.”
The Iliad is a long poem that is composed by a series of books. The narrative begins nine years after the start of the war. Agamemnon and Achilles get into a skirmish about two maidens, Chryseis and Briseis that were captured in a Trojan-allied town. After Apollo releases a plague for not returning Chryseis, Agamemnon goes into a rage and says that he will return Chryseis only if Achilles gives him Briseis. Agamemnon’s demand infuriates and humiliates Achilles. The men argue, and Achilles threatens to withdraw from the battle and take his people, back home to Phthia. That night Achilles prays to his mother, Thetis, to ask Zeus to punish the Achaeans. She promises to ask Zeus about his offer. After twelve days, Thetis makes her appeal to Zeus. Zeus is reluctant to help the Trojans but he finally agrees. The next day Zeus sends a false dream to Agamemnon that he can take Troy if he launches a full-scale assault on the city’s walls. The next day, Agamemnon gathers the troops and prepares for the attack. After that The Trojan army ...

... middle of paper ...

...es mourning Patroclus and abusing Hector’s body. Apollo, meanwhile, protects Hector’s corpse from damage and rot. Finally, on the twelfth Apollo persuades Zeus that Achilles must let Hector’s body be ransomed. Zeus sends Thetis to tell the news to Achilles, while Iris goes to Priam to instruct him. Priam sets out with a chariot full of treasure. When the chariot arrives at Achilles’ tent, Priam begs for Hector’s body. He asks Achilles to think of his father, Peleus, and the love they have. Achilles weeps and accepts the ransom and agrees to give Hector back. That night, Priam sleeps in Achilles’ tent, but Hermes wakes him up warning that he must not sleep in enemy lines. Priam places Hector in his chariot, and slips out unnoticed. For nine days the Trojans prepare Hector’s funeral pyre, which Achilles given them, and The Trojans light Hector’s pyre on the tenth day.

Open Document