September 24th-September 30th

Date: 9/24/20
Time: 8:10 AM–9:30 AM

So today we took the weekly quiz today and I did way better than last week. I don’t know how I did that but who cares! I just want a good grade! Anyways, here are some words and characters that the professor talked about.
Atë is the Greek goddess of mischief, delusion, ruin, and folly
Okeanos was the Titan god of the Okeanos River, believed to surround the world and to connect the heavens and the underworld with the earth. He was married to his sister, the goddess of freshwater, Tethis. He is the god of all the Earth’s rivers, seas, rivers, and waterways.
Tethis was the Greek goddess of freshwater who had six thousand children to her husband Oceanus. Those children became the rulers of all rivers, streams, lakes, and rain clouds. She was also a devoted mentor and caretaker of Hera who would become Zeus’s wife and the grandmother of the popular goddess Athena.
Kronos was the king of the Titans and the father of Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus, the first generation of the Olympian Gods. He is the father of Chiron as well. He is the lord of the Titan universe; his reign was known as the Golden Age.
Rheia belonged to the first generation of Greek gods, a group of beautiful immortals called the Titans. She was Gaea’s daughter, or Mother Earth, and Uranus, the god of heaven. Rheia was considered a goddess of the earth, just like her mother. Her husband would swallow the whole baby every time Rhea gave birth.
These greek gods and goddesses are very weird. Like, marrying your sister? Swallowing your kids whole? This is why I hate greek mythology. Whoever invented greek mythology is a weirdo in my opinion.

Anyways, after we took the quiz, he shared a Google Doc with us entitled The Warrior as Mother in the Iliad (Greek Literature in Translation, Fall 2020). He said some important words that I didn’t know, which are
Besotted means intoxicated or drunk
A fortiori argument is a Latin term meaning literally ‘from [the] stronger’. Translated into English and used in the particular context of legal writing, the term often means ‘from [the] stronger [argument]’. If a particular fact is true, then one can infer that a second fact is also true.

After this, the professor asked us what type of person today who would like the Iliad. Honestly, I think someone who genuinely likes literature or Greek mythology would like this. Also, Someone who enjoys heroes with mythological powers, such as some characters in Marvel/DC, would love reading the Iliad. People with a higher reading skill and/or people who understand and are familiar with Greek mythology would especially love the Iliad because they can understand the book while reading enough to enjoy it. Lastly, people who enjoy gore/violence would enjoy the Iliad because there are many fights and deaths in the story.

Date: 9/26/20
Time: 1:00 PM — 2:OOPM

Book 18

In this book, the expression of grief of Achilles is intensely passionate, showing a very strong relationship with Patroclus that Achilles shared. Achilles completely lacks the will to live with his greatest comrade gone, and tossing himself into the dirt indicates that he now hates his role and dignity in causing Patroclus to die. As the son of a goddess, Achilles still has access to his mother’s love. But now his sorrow is so deep that all the nymphs of the ocean come to Achilles. Achilles’ sorrow is starting to turn into rage, as he admits that he must kill Hector. Hector wears the armor of Achilles, a symbol that means that Hector now appears to be equivalent to Achilles in combat. The new god-made armor would become a sign of Achilles’s utter dominance over all other mortal warriors. Earlier, Achilles refused to sacrifice his life as a simple treasure or Agamemnon. But now, in his vengeance for Patroclus’ murder, he has found an excuse to face his fate, which is great glory and inevitable death. Achilles is so valued as a leader that his very appearance instills fear in the minds of his rivals. Athena further strengthens its appearance with a godlike nature. The collapse of the night causes a break after the last 8 books of pure combat, causing suspense for Achilles to join the war before the fighting starts. Polydamas, feeling the tide of war to turn, offers the right guidance, but Zeus’ interference makes his meaning useless. Now it is Hector, conditioned by the gods, who struggles to interpret the signs correctly and whose vanity proves to be fatal. With the Trojans still on the frontline, Achilles will be able to use his full strength to win great glory as he returns to battle. Achilles continuously expresses his sorrow for Patroclus, and his decision to leave Patroclus unburied is a type of love. Revenge must come first, and Achilles is ready to suffer some kind of death to make that happen. The other warriors are likely to face doom any time they battle. Achilles is different — his passion for Patroclus and his urge to take revenge on Hector are so strong that he continues to act despite the fact that he knows it will lead to his death. It’s actually courageous. The fact that Achilles’ mother is a goddess gives him special privileges that no ordinary mortal could hope to expect, and Thetis is completely dedicated to giving Achilles honor in his short life. Achilles’ new armor will demonstrate his complete dominance in battle. The fact that Achilles’ mother is a goddess gives him special privileges that no ordinary mortal could hope to expect, and Thetis is completely dedicated to giving Achilles honor in his short life. Achilles’ new armor will demonstrate his complete dominance in battle.

Date: 9/27/20
Time: 3:00 PM — 4:OOPM

Book 19

The shield that Thetis takes to Achilles is not a part of the real universe, but a part of the divine. Just the Achilles are fit to wear it. Achilles has agreed to go back to war, and he has sealed his fate in doing so. He can no longer think about moving back to his homeland to live a long and unexciting life. Knowing that he is going to die, the ordinary aspects of Achaean life have lost their meaning, particularly the treasure that Agamemnon had given Achilles. It’s like it lives on a plane that’s distinct, nobler than the other Achaeans. Agamemnon is also struggling to save his identity, still a democrat. Achilles is based exclusively on vengeance. Achille’s unwillingness to eat is both a symbol of his admiration for Patroclus and a symbol of his exceptional eagerness to start murdering him. Odysseus’ argument is valid, but Achilles is almost no longer in need of the desires of men. His decision to fight has made him, ultimately, dead. The presence of Briseis puts together the tale of Achilles’ quarrel with Agamemnon’s full circle. Briseis’ grievance is a reflection of how much has changed since the captains’ original claim. Now that Patroclus is dead, the importance of Briseis has diminished as Achilles’ grief continues to lift him beyond the realm of mortal things. As Achilles trains for war, the feeling of resolved destiny is strongly highlighted. Even Achilles’ horses let him know that he must die soon, and Achilles is tired of thinking of his possible death. Words are no longer of many benefits to him.

Date: 9/28/20
Time: 1:30 PM — 2:3OPM

Book 20
It seems odd that Zeus’s purpose is to encourage the gods to participate. Zeus has proved himself to be more than able to monitor the events that take place on the field of war. But the decree of Zeus helps emphasize just how powerful the furious Achilles can be, and offers a climax alongside the fiercest battle among the mortals of all the gods in war. Like Achilles, Aeneas has a mother for a goddess, and naturally, as a combatant, he is paired with Achilles. And still, he’s scared to meet Achilles. Achilles heads to war thinking he’s going to die. Still, Aeneas needs to survive. While the gods are now allowed to participate in the battle, once they have to take action, they tend to wait. The death of mankind is more like a spectator sport for the Immortals. Although Apollo encourages Aeneas to battle Achilles, he is now unable to expect to combat Achilles, full of sorrow as he is. The heroism of the fathers of Aeneas protects him in every way, as Poseidon decides it would be a pity for Achilles to snuff the noble line of Troy out. The life of Aeneas makes their memory live on. Achilles openly speaks his thoughts, becoming more acquainted with the gods than most mortals while referring to them. In war, his extraordinary reputation is replicated, where his feats outperform any other man.

Questions to prepare and write about in your weekly journal:

What is going on with the Shield of Achilles? What happens on the shield? What themes are represented? Why do you think the poet introduces it to this place in the story? How does it relate to the rest of the Iliad?

Thetis enters the house of Hephaestus on Olympus, which contains glorious forges. Thetis is accepted into the home, and Hephaestus recalls that for nine years after his fall from Olympus, Thetis cared for him. Thetis talks of her marriage to the human father of Achilles and describes the condition of the shortage of armor for Achilles. Gladly, Hephaestus decides to make a new suit of armor better than any man-owned one. Hephaestus is set to work. He forges a famous Achilles shield that bears an emblem of the whole planet on it. It comprises the sea, the sky, and, in all its numerous ways, the world of men. There are two cities of men in the shield, one at peace and one at war, with marriage, harvest, shepherding, and battle scenes. The scope of detail is daunting. A helmet and breastplate were also forged by Hephaestus. He lies his arms at the foot of Thetis until his task is over. Achilles’ shield is a representation of the intertwined existence of war and peace in ancient Greece. Fight, like harvest or marriage, is the cornerstone of every citizen’s life. With the whole planet depicted on the shield of Achilles, Achilles is described as one of the leading leaders of mankind, special in its power. He actually holds the planet in his shield, much as he bears the success of the Achaeans.

Date: 9/29/20
Time: 8:10 AM–9:30 AM

Today, we talked about death. I know, out of all of the topics, this is the one we talk about. Apparently, In the ancient world, death was so spoken about. They thought about the happiest way to die. I really don’t think about death, I just live life to the fullest. I honestly think some people need to do the same. Here were some terms we went over.

Kleos is sometimes translated as “renown,” or “glory.” It is similar to the word “loud” in English and has the implicit significance of “what others say from you.” By doing great deeds, a Greek hero wins kleos.
Tellus was an Athenian statesman included in the Histories of Herodotus, where Solon, the wise man, describes him as the happiest man ever. Solon notes that the second-happiest men ever were the Kleobis and Biton brothers, after describing Tellus as the happiest of all men.

After that, we just Reviewed Thursday’s document. I don’t know what else to say about that. The professor put in the chat “kleos aphthiton=glory unfading”. I forgot why, but I feel like it is important.

Then he asked us this question.

How well do these bullet-points below predict whether someone like you would like the Iliad? Go through the list and see how many of the bullet-points characterize you. Do they explain why you like the Iliad (assuming you do)?

The only bullet points that would draw me into liking the Iliad was that it was compared to Marvel. See me, I am a big Marvel fan, but this book is nothing like that, and I find it quite disrespectful to compare Marvel to the Iliad because they are not on the same level. Anyways, here were some more terms we learned.

A lament or lamentation, frequently in the form of text, poetry, or song, is a heartfelt expression of sorrow. Very commonly, sorrow is born of regret or grieving.
Meilichios was an ancient Chthonic goddess in the Attic, overcome by the Olympian god Zeus. He was synonymous with both death and rebirth, and in places like Athens, he was worshipped in the shape of a serpent. The Dias was celebrated annually by the Athenians, a celebration honoring Zeus Meilichios.
Catharsis is the purification and purgation of feelings by art or other drastic shift of emotion that results in rebirth and regeneration, especially pity and fear.

Book 21

Date: 9/30/20
Time: 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM

In this story, the river offers a fitting atmosphere for the deeds of the heroism of Achilles, slowing down the Trojans’ movement as Achilles strikes. In comparison, the rhythm of the river is complex, mirroring the way Achilles rapidly dispatches his foes. The tale of Lycaon’s return and demise underscores death’s confusion. The return of Lycaon from slavery as a result of great sacrifice and good fortune that had unexpectedly turned into darkness. The assertion by Achilles that all men must die often applies to himself. He had taken Lycaon alive previously, but now, recognizing that he must die himself, Achilles is new and has no compassion for others. The complaint of Xanthus against Achilles is a symbol of the overwhelming force of Achilles. Achilles has killed so many men that his deeds are starting to disrupt the basic order of nature as the river portrays them. The idea that Achilles disobeys a deity further raises the sense of pride of Achilles, as he seems to be performing more as a deity than a mortal man. While the power of Achilles is almost mystical, beating an invincible god is also not necessary. Achilles may be almost invincible, but ultimately, he is still a slave of nature’s powers. In the war, Achilles is obsessed with winning as much fame as he can, but the extent of Achilles’ success is demarcated by Poseidon and Athena. There are limits to Achilles’ fame. He is not destined to overcome the city of Troy itself. Furthermore, he also wants Hephaestus’ support to fight Xanthus. The presence of all the gods in battle reveals that the poem is heading toward its conclusion. Both the gods are arrayed against each other, making the war on earth as well as in the heavens a fight. Remember how, just as Paris does, Aphrodite flees from battle; and it is Aphrodite and Paris who set this conflict in motion. The distraction of Apollo is necessary in order to keep Achilles from killing several more Trojans. Apollo will only send the Trojans a small amount of support, as he is unable to explicitly disobey Zeus’ scheme to send Achilles fame. He tries his best, however, to foil Achilles, refusing to diminish the importance of his combat feats.

Questions to prepare and write about in your weekly journal:

Describe your feelings for Hector as the Iliad progresses. Make specific reference to earlier passages. Do you feel that he deserves to die at this point? Do you want to see Achilles kill him?

In my opinion, Hector struck me at the beginning of this epic as a little boring. He’s just been so sweet. So family-focused. But obligation-bound. Hector battles for his city and his families mostly out of a sense of duty. Mostly, however, from his experiences with his partner, Andromache, and their infant son, Skamandrios, I get a sense of Hector’s dedication. Yet the sense of responsibility of Hector makes him sharply dismissive of those he feels do not exert their own weight for the greater good. In particular, I see this in his behavior towards his brother, Paris, whom he constantly insults for having troubled the city and for not acting bravely to protect it. Hector, though, is still a hero with all of this, and still vulnerable to the greatest vulnerability of the military: modesty. I don’t believe Hector should die at all. He’s more of a family guy, actually than a leader. It would make me feel odd if he were to die, and I feel like he doesn’t deserve to.