Iliad Group

Question:

imzach21
imzach21
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Which woman was awarded to Achilles (near the beginning of the Iliad)? Why?

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Posted by imzach21 on Sunday October 18, 2009 at 6:17 PM and tagged with achilles, briseis, iliad.

Answers:


  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    The woman given to Achilles is named Briseis.  She is given to Achilles as a prize (reward for his role in the fighting when the Achaians sack the city of Thebe) but later King Agamemmnon takes her away from Achilles and keeps her for himself.

    When Agamemmnon does this, it causes one of the more famous episodes in the Iliad, as Achilles refuses to fight anymore and instead goes and sulks in his tent.  He does this both because he is angry at having had his prize taken away and because he has fallen in love with her.

    Eventually, Agamemmnon gives Briseis back to Achilles and Achilles consents to resume fighting for the Greeks.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/iliad/book-1-summary-analysis

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Sunday October 18, 2009 at 6:23 PM