CL CV 201 - Quotes: The Iliad - Midterm
"RAGE: Sing, Goddess, Achilles' rage, Black and murderous, that cost the Greeks Incalculable pain, pitched countless souls Of heroes into Hades' dark, And left their bodies to rot as feasts For dogs and birds, as Zeus' will was done."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 1, Line 1 Who: Homer What is the situation: Beginning of the book What is the importance: Foreshadowing the importance of rage in each character's motives, the outcome of the war, and the role the God's play.
"And so you can have some peace of mind, I'll say yes to you by nodding my head, The ultimate pledge. Unambiguous, Irreversible, and absolutely fulfilled, Whatever I say yes to with a nod of my head." [560] And the Son of Cronus nodded. Black brows Lowered, a glory of hair cascaded down from the Lord's Immortal head, and the holy mountain trembled."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 1, line 555 Who: Zeus What is the situation: Thetis comes to Zeus to beg him to punish the Greeks until they show respect to Achilles. This is his response to Thetis and way of telling her he will grant her request. What is the importance: This highlights the gloriousness of the Gods. The fact that the mountain trembles at Zeus' head-nodding just shows his glory and might in the eyes of humans.
"Godlike Sarpedon felt impelled To rush the wall and tear it down. He turned to Glaucus and said: [320] "Glaucus, you know how you and I Have the best of everything in Lycia— Seats, cuts of meat, full cups, everybody Looking at us as if we were gods? Not to mention our estates on the Xanthus, Fine orchards and riverside wheat fields. Well, now we have to take our stand at the front, Where all the best fight, and face the heat of battle, So that many an armored Lycian will say, 'So they're not inglorious after all, [330] Our Lycian lords who eat fat sheep And drink the sweetest wine. No, They're strong, and fight with our best.' Ah, my friend, if you and I could only Get out of this war alive and then Be immortal and ageless all of our days. I would never again fight among the foremost Or send you into battle where men win glory. {234} But as it is, death is everywhere In more shapes than we can count, [340] And since no mortal is immune or can escape, Let's go forward, either to give glory To another man or get glory from him.""
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 12, Line 317 Who: Sarpedon What is the situation: The war continues, and Sarpedon and Glaucus are about to attack.
"And Zeus, clouds scudding about him: "You can go there later just as well. Let's get in bed now and make love. No goddess or woman has ever [320] Made me feel so overwhelmed with lust, Not even when I fell for Ixion's wife, Who bore Peirithous, wise as a god; Or Danae, with lovely, slim ankles, Who bore Perseus, a paragon of men; Or the daughter of far-famed Phoenix, Who bore Minos and godlike Rhadamanthus; {275} Or Semele; or Alcmene in Thebes, Who bore Heracles, a stouthearted son; And Semele bore Dionysus, a joy to humans; [330] Or Demeter, the fair-haired queen; Or glorious Leto; or even you— I've never loved anyone as I love you now, Never been in the grip of desire so sweet.""
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 14, Line 316 Who: Zeus What is the situation: Hera has put a love potion on Zeus to make him lust after her so that he will be distracted. While they make love, Poseidon goes to aid the Greeks in the war against Zeus' will.
""Fate has it that Sarpedon, whom I love more Than any man, is to be killed by Patroclus. Shall I take him out of battle while he still lives And set him down in the rich land of Lycia, Or shall I let him die under Patroclus' hands?" And Hera, his lady, her eyes soft and wide: "Son of Cronus, what a thing to say! A mortal man, whose fate has long been fixed, And you want to save him from rattling death? [480] Do it. But don't expect all of us to approve. Listen to me. If you send Sarpedon home alive, You will have to expect other gods to do the same And save their own sons—and there are many of them In this war around Priam's great city. Think of the resentment you will create. But if you love him and are filled with grief, Let him fall in battle at Patroclus' hands, And when his soul and life have left him, Send Sleep and Death to bear him away {319} [490] To Lycia, where his people will give him burial With mound and stone, as befits the dead." The Father of Gods and Men agreed Reluctantly, but shed drops of blood as rain Upon the earth in honor of his own dear son Whom Patroclus was about to kill On Ilion's rich soil, far from his native land."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 16, Line 471 Who: Hera and Zeus What is the situation: Patroclus is wearing Achilles' armor and attacking the Trojans. He attacks Sarpedon and Zeus considers saving him, but Hera talks him out of it in this quote.
"And Patroclus, barely able to shake the words out: "Brag while you can, Hector. Zeus and Apollo Have given you an easy victory this time. If they hadn't knocked off my armor, I could have made mincemeat of twenty like you. It was Fate, and Leto's son, who killed me. [890] Of men, Euphorbus. You came in third at best. And one more thing for you to think over. You're not going to live long. I see Death Standing at your shoulder, and you going down Under the hands of Peleus' perfect son." Death's veil covered him as he said these things, And his soul, bound for Hades, fluttered out {331} Resentfully, forsaking manhood's bloom. He was dead"
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 16, Line 884 Who: Patroclus What is the situation: Patroclus was wearing Achilles' armor and attacking the Trojans. He is killing them mercilessly, but Apollo persuades Hector to kill him. These are his final words, pronouncing doom to Hector.
"Iris spoke and was gone. And Achilles, Whom the gods loved, rose. Around His mighty shoulders Athena threw Her tasselled aegis, and the shining goddess Haloed his head with a golden cloud That shot flames from its incandescent glow. Smoke is rising through the pure upper air [220] From a besieged city on a distant island. Its soldiers have fought hard all day, But at sunset they light innumerable fires So that their neighbors in other cities Might see the glare reflected off the sky And sail to their help as allies in war. So too the radiance that flared From Achilles' head and up to the sky. He went to the trench—away from the wall And the other Greeks, out of respect [230] For his mother's tense command. Standing there, He yelled, and behind him Pallas Athena {362} Amplified his voice, and shock waves Reverberated through the Trojan ranks. You have heard the piercing sound of horns When squadrons come to destroy a city. The Greek's voice was like that, Speaking bronze that made each Trojan heart Wince with pain."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 18, Line 213 Who: Achilles What is the situation: Achilles is mourning the death of Patroclus.
"{356} A mist of black grief enveloped Achilles. He scooped up fistfuls of sunburnt dust And poured it on his head, fouling His beautiful face. Black ash grimed His fine-spun cloak as he stretched his huge body Out in the dust and lay there, Tearing out his hair with his hands. [30] The women, whom Achilles and Patroclus Had taken in raids, ran shrieking out of the tent To be with Achilles, and they beat their breasts Until their knees gave out beneath them. Antilochus, sobbing himself, stayed with Achilles And held his hands—he was groaning From the depths of his soul—for fear He would lay open his own throat with steel. The sound of Achilles' grief stung the air. Down in the water his mother heard him, [40] Sitting in the sea depths beside her old father, And she began to wail. And the saltwater women"
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 18, Line 23 Who: Homer What is the situation: Achilles has just found out that Patroclus is dead. He moarns.
"And from beneath the yoke Xanthus spoke back, Hooves shimmering, his head bowed so low That his mane swept the ground, as Hera, The white-armed goddess, gave him a voice: "This time we will save you, mighty Achilles, This time—but your hour is near. We Are not to blame, but a great god and strong Fate. [440] Nor was it slowness or slackness on our part That allowed the Trojans to despoil Patroclus. No, the best of gods, fair-haired Leto's son, Killed him in the front lines and gave Hector the glory. As for us, we could outrun the West Wind, Which men say is the swiftest, but it is your destiny To be overpowered by a mortal and a god." Xanthus said this; then the Furies stopped his voice. And Achilles, greatly troubled, answered him: "I don't need you to prophesy my death, [450] Xanthus. I know in my bones I will die here Far from my father and mother. Still, I won't stop Until I have made the Trojans sick of war." And with a cry he drove his horses to the front."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 19, Line 433 Who: Xanthus (the horse) and Achilles What is the situation: Achilles chastises his horses for letting Patroclus die, and they respond (given a voice by Hera) that they will save him this time, but his hour is near.
""Shut up, fool, and stop talking ransom. Before Patroclus met his destiny It was more to my taste to spare Trojan lives, Capture them, and sell them overseas. But now they all die, every last Trojan [110] God puts into my hands before Ilion's walls, All of them, and especially Priam's children. You die too, friend. Don't take it hard. Patroclus died, and he was far better than you."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 21, Line 105 Who: Achilles What is the situation: Achilles is killing all the Trojans because he his mad that Patroclus was killed
"He spoke. Lycaon's knees and heart went slack. He let go the spear and sat there, both hands Outstretched. Achilles drew his honed sword And struck near the collar bone. The whole blade Sank into his trunk, and he fell prone to the ground, Black blood trickling out and wetting the dirt."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 21, Line 121 Who: Achilles What is the situation: Kills Lycaon out of rage that Patroclus was killed.
"On the way back he met a son of Priam, Lycaon by name, running from the river. This boy Achilles had captured once before In his father's orchard, where he had come one night To cut fig saplings for chariot rails But found Achilles' iron mask in his face. And he waited. Lycaon aproached in a daze, Intent on grasping his knees. All he wanted [70] Was to wriggle away from death and black fate. All Achilles wanted was to run him through. His spear flashed out, but Lycaon, stooping To touch his knees, ducked under it. The spear Passed over his back and stuck in the earth, Quivering with desire for a man's flesh. Lycaon caught Achilles' knees with one hand And held the pointed spear with the other And would not let go of either as he begged: "I am at your knees, Achilles. Pity me. [80] You have to respect me as your suppliant For I tasted Demeter's holy grain with you On that day you took me captive in the orchard"
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 21, Line 40 Who: Achilles and Lycaon What is the situation: Achilles is mad and rampaging all the Trojans. he finds Lycaon who holds his knee, but shows him to mercy and kills him.
"So Achilles swooped and Hector trembled In the shadow of Troy's wall. Running hard, They passed Lookout Rock and the windy fig tree, Following the loop of the wagon road. [170] They came to the wellsprings of eddying Scamander, two beautiful pools, one Boiling hot with steam rising up, The other flowing cold even in summer, Cold as freezing sleet, cold as tundra snow. There were broad basins there, lined with stone, Where the Trojan women used to wash their silky clothes In the days of peace, before the Greeks came."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 22, Line 165 Who: Homer What is the situation: A break amidst Achilles rampage of the Trojans.
"With these words on her lips Andromache Ran outdoors like a madwoman, heart racing, Her two waiting-women following behind. She reached the tower, pushed through the crowd, And looking out from the wall saw her husband As the horses dragged him disdainfully Away from the city to the hollow Greek ships. Black night swept over her eyes. She reeled backward, gasping, and her veil And glittering headbands flew off, The diadem golden Aphrodite Gave her on that day when tall-helmed Hector Led her from her father's house in marriage. And now her womenfolk were around her, Hector's sisters and his brother's wives, {438} Holding her as she raved madly for death, Until she caught her breath and her distraught Spirit returned to her breast."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 22, Line 511 Who: Andromache What is the situation: When she finds out Hector has been killed.
"So Achilles stared in wonder at Priam. Was he a god? And the others there stared And wondered and looked at each other. But Priam spoke, a prayer of entreaty: [520] "Remember your father, godlike Achilles. He and I both are on the doorstep Of old age. He may well be now Surrounded by enemies wearing him down And have no one to protect him from harm. But then he hears that you are still alive And his heart rejoices, and he hopes all his days To see his dear son come back from Troy. But what is left for me? I had the finest sons In all wide Troy, and not one of them is left. [530] Fifty I had when the Greeks came over, Nineteen out of one belly, and the rest The women in my house bore to me. It doesn't matter how many they were, The god of war has cut them down at the knees. And the only one who could save the city You've just now killed as he fought for his country, My Hector. It is for him I have come to the Greek ships, To get him back from you. I've brought {483} A fortune in ransom. Respect the gods, Achilles. [540] Think of your own father, and pity me. I am more pitiable. I have borne what no man Who has walked this earth has ever yet borne. I have kissed the hand of the man who killed my son." He spoke, and sorrow for his own father Welled up in Achilles. He took Priam's hand And gently pushed the old man away. The two of them remembered. Priam, Huddled in grief at Achilles' feet, cried And moaned softly for his man-slaying Hector. [550] And Achilles cried for his father and For Patroclus."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 24, Line 515 Who: Priam What is the situation: Achilles killed Hector and has been dishonoring his body, dragging it around the mud and letting it decay. Priam has come to ask Achilles to give back hectors body so they can give him a burial and properly mourn.
"Such were the voices of these Trojan elders {55} Sitting on the tower by the Western Gate. When they saw Helen coming Their rasping whispers flew along the wall: "Who could blame either the Trojans or Greeks For suffering so long for a woman like this." "Her eyes are not human." "Whatever she is, let her go back with the ships And spare us and our children a generation of pain." But Priam called out to her: [170] "Come here, dear child, sit next to me So you can see your former husband And dear kinsmen. You are not to blame For this war with the Greeks. The gods are."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 3, line 160 Who: Homer and Priam What is the situation: Paris and Menelaus are about to fight and the goddess Iris (disguised as Hector's sister) convinces Helen to go watch. Priam is there and they have a conversation. What is the importance: This passage really highlights the reason for the war with the men gawking at Helen. But it also shows another side with Priam emphasizing to Helen that she is not to blame for the war. It puts into question the real reasons for this war and where the blame really lies.
"No more could the soldiers see through the cloud of dust The armies tramped up as they moved through the plain. [20] And when they had almost closed— {51} Was it a god?—no, not a god But Paris who stepped out from the Trojan ranks, Leopard skin on his shoulders, curved bow, sword, And shaking two bronze-tipped spears at the Greeks He invited their best to fight him to the death. When Menelaus, who was Ares' darling, saw him Strutting out from the ranks, he felt As a lion must feel when he finds the carcass Of a stag or wild goat, and, half-starving, [30] Consumes it greedily even though hounds and hunters Are swarming down on him."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 3, line 18 Who: Homer What is the situation: The Greeks have come to attack the Trojans, and Paris steps out to challenge one of the Greeks to fight him to the death. Menelaus takes his challenge, but Paris is afraid and retreats, but eventually returns to fight. What is the importance: This moment highlights the personality of Paris: so brave in the moment, but when faced with the real challenge, shrinks back in fear. In addition, Paris is compared to a God in the way he looks, highlighting his self-centeredness and beauty.
"A withered hand tugged at Helen's fragrant robe. The goddess was now the phantom of an old woman Who had spun wool for Helen back in Lacedaemon, Beautiful wool, and Helen loved her dearly. In this crone's guise Aphrodite spoke to Helen: "Over here. Paris wants you to come home. He's propped up on pillows in your bedroom, So silky and beautiful you'd never think [420] He'd just come from combat, but was going to a dance, Or coming from a dance and had just now sat down." This wrung Helen's heart. She knew It was the goddess—the beautiful neck, The irresistible line of her breasts, The iridescent eyes. She was in awe For a moment, and then spoke to her: "You eerie thing, why do you love Lying to me like this? Where are you taking me now? {63} Phrygia? Beautiful Maeonia? Another city [430] Where you have some other boyfriend for me? Or is it because Menelaus, having just beaten Paris, Wants to take his hateful wife back to his house That you stand here now with treachery in your heart? Go sit by Paris yourself! Descend from the gods' high road, Allow your precious feet not to tread on Olympus, Go fret over him constantly, protect him. Maybe someday he'll make you his wife—or even his slave. I'm not going back there. It would be treason To share his bed. The Trojan women [440] Would hold me at fault. I have enough pain as it is." And Aphrodite, angry with her, said: "Don't vex me, bitch, or I may let go of you And hate you as extravagantly as I love you now. I can make you repulsive to both sides, you know, Trojans and Greeks, and then where will you be?" Helen was afraid, and this child of Zeus Pulled her silvery-white linens around her And walked silently through the Trojan women, Eluding them completely. The goddess went ahead [450] And led her to Paris' beautiful house."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 3, line 412 Who: Aphrodite disguised as an old women, Helen What is the situation: Aphrodite pulled Paris from his fight with Menelaus and laid him in his bed. She has now come to convince Helen to join him. What is the importance: This is one of the unique situations where a human fights back to a God. Helen is clearly angry with Aphrodite and does not want to do what she wants. However, it also highlights the power of the Gods. Aphrodite wins out using a fear-tactic and persuades Helen to join Paris.
"One early victim was Anthemion's son, Simoeisius, a blossoming lad Whom Telamonian Ajax marked and hit. His mother bore him on the Simois' banks On her way down from the slopes of Ida Where she had gone to see her family's flocks. So his parents called him Simoeisius, [520] But he died before he could pay them back For rearing him."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 4, line 513 Who: Homer What is the situation: This is similar to a panoramic shot of the war. Homer is describing several different battles going on within the fighting between the Greeks and Trojans. This moment is a specific person that is being killed. What is the importance: This is an interesting way for Homer to give small breaks in the midst of death and violence. He takes a break to describe the details of a minor person being killed, before returning to the battle scene. I think it helps you have more sympathy for the people in the war because you realize they are real people with real lives that are ending.
"Deep in my heart I know too well There will come a day when holy Ilion will perish, And Priam and the people under Priam's ash spear. But the pain I will feel for the Trojans then, For Hecuba herself and for Priam king, For my many fine brothers who will have by then Fallen in the dust behind enemy lines— All that pain is nothing to what I will feel For you, when some bronze-armored Greek Leads you away in tears, on your first day of slavery. [480] And you will work some other woman's loom In Argos or carry water from a Spartan spring, All against your will, under great duress. And someone, seeing you crying, will say, 'That is the wife of Hector, the best of all The Trojans when they fought around Ilion.' Someday someone will say that, renewing your pain At having lost such a man to fight off the day Of your enslavement. But may I be dead And the earth heaped up above me [490] Before I hear your cry as you are dragged away."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 6, Line 470 Who: Hector What is the situation: Hector has returned to visit his wife, Andromache, and son. She has begged him to stay and not fight in the war for she fears he will be killed. This is his reply. What is the importance: This passage solidifies the love that Hector has for his wife. In addition, it shows the honor of Hector and his dedication to his duty.
"She came up to him now, and the nurse with her Held to her bosom their baby boy, [420] Hector's beloved son, beautiful as starlight, Whom Hector had named Scamandrius But everyone else called Astyanax, Lord of the City, For Hector alone could save Ilion now. He looked at his son and smiled in silence. Andromache stood close to him, shedding tears, Clinging to his arm as she spoke these words: "Possessed is what you are, Hector. Your courage Is going to kill you, and you have no feeling left For your little boy or for me, the luckless woman [430] Who will soon be your widow. It won't be long Before the whole Greek army swarms and kills you. And when they do, it will be better for me To sink into the earth. When I lose you, Hector, There will be nothing left, no one to turn to, Only pain. My father and mother are dead. Achilles killed my father when he destroyed... I had seven brothers once in that great house. All seven went down to Hades on a single day, Cut down by Achilles in one blinding sprint Through their shambling cattle and silver sheep. Mother, who was queen in the forests of Plakos, He took back as prisoner, with all her possessions, Then released her for a fortune in ransom. [450] She died in our house, shot by Artemis' arrows. Hector, you are my father, you are my mother, You are my brother and my blossoming husband. But show some pity and stay here by the tower, Don't make your child an orphan, your wife a widow. Station your men here by the fig tree, where the city {125} Is weakest because the wall can be scaled. Three times their elite have tried an attack here Rallying around Ajax or glorious Idomeneus Or Atreus' sons or mighty Diomedes, [460] Whether someone in on the prophecy told them Or they are driven here by something in their heart"
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 6, line 418 Who: Andromache What is the situation: Hector went to visit his wife and son before returning to battle. She begs him to stay and not return to battle because she fears that he will die if he goes. What is the importance: The relationship between Hector and Andromache is one of the few from this time where love is actually present. It is clear that Andromache cares for Hector. In addition, this passage highlights the amount of pain Andromache has already gone through with all of her family being killed by Achilles. Hector is all she has left.
"I cannot imagine Agamemnon, Or any other Greek, persuading me, {169} Not after the thanks I got for fighting this war, Going up against the enemy day after day. It doesn't matter if you stay in camp or fight— In the end, everybody comes out the same. Coward and hero get the same reward: You die whether you slack off or work. And what do I have for all my suffering, Constantly putting my life on the line? [330] Like a bird who feeds her chicks Whatever she finds, and goes without herself, That's what I've been like, lying awake Through sleepless nights, in battle for days Soaked in blood, fighting men for their wives."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 9, Line 320 Who: Achilles What is the situation: Ajax, Odysseus, and Phoenix have come (at the request of Agamemnon) to persuade Achilles to return to the fight and help the Greeks. This is Achilles' response. What is the importance: This highlights Achilles' motives for fighting the war and his selfishness. He does not care (at this moment) that many Greeks are dying, he simply cares about being offended by Agamemnon.
"Do you have to be descended from Atreus To love your mate? Every decent, sane man [350] Loves his woman and cares for her, as I did, Loved her from my heart. It doesn't matter That I won her with my spear. He took her, Took her right out of my hands, cheated me, And now he thinks he's going to win me back? He can forget it. I know how things stand."
Which Book: The Iliad, Chapter 9, Line 348 Who: Achilles What is the situation: Ajax, Odysseus, and Phoenix have come (at the request of Agamemnon) to persuade Achilles to rejoin the war and fight for the Greeks. This is his response. What is the importance: This highlights the "rage" that Achilles is still feeling towards Agamemnon. He has not forgiven, he does not care about the kleos that he is being offered, and he does not care about the many greeks that are dying--at least not yet.