Iliad Questions on Achilles
Iliad
Differences between Homer's Iliad and the movie Troy
The movie Troy differs from Homer's Iliad in several key ways. The film condenses the timeline, omits the gods' direct involvement, and alters character fates, such as Agamemnon's and Menelaus'...
Iliad
The conflict and feud between Achilles and Agamemnon in the Iliad
The conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon in the Iliad centers on a dispute over war prizes and honor. Agamemnon demands Achilles' prize, Briseis, causing Achilles to withdraw from the battle in...
Iliad
Achilles' refusal to fight in the Iliad
Achilles refuses to fight in the Iliad because he feels dishonored by Agamemnon, who takes Achilles' war prize, Briseis. This act of disrespect leads Achilles to withdraw from battle, highlighting...
Iliad
A comparison of Hector and Achilles in Homer's Iliad
Hector and Achilles, key figures in Homer's Iliad, differ significantly. Achilles, a demi-god, is driven by personal glory and rage, while Hector, a mortal, fights primarily out of duty to Troy and...
Iliad
What action did Achilles take against Hector after killing him in the Iliad?
After Achilles kills Hector, he pulls his spear out of Hector's corpse and begins removing Hector's armor. Next, the other Greeks come to see the corpse and begin striking at it. Eventually, Achilles...
Iliad
Who are the heroes and villains in the Iliad?
In The Iliad, Achilles is the hero of the Achaeans, while Hector is the hero of the Trojans. Each side has its own brave figures, such as Paris, Ajax, and Patroclus. Agamemnon, despite being on...
Iliad
How does Achilles' character evolve in the Iliad?
One could argue that Achilles doesn’t really evolve all that much in the Iliad. At the end of the poem, he’s still a proud, brutal warrior like he was at the start. However, some change can be seen...
Iliad
What are the names of Achilles's horses in the Iliad?
In The Iliad, Achilles's horses are named Balios and Xanthos, also known as Balius and Xanthus in Latin. These immortal horses were gifts from Poseidon to Peleus, Achilles's father, and were born...
Iliad
Was Achilles perceived as good or bad, and how does this understanding shed light on the ancient world?
With an ancient source like Homer’s Iliad, it’s possible to argue that Achilles had praiseworthy traits like bravery and loyalty. Conversely, using contemporary articles, it’s reasonable to argue...
Iliad
How can I write a strong thesis statement for the Iliad?
To write a strong thesis statement for The Iliad, focus on a specific character, incident, or theme rather than the entire epic. A good thesis should present a controversial or unusual perspective,...
Iliad
Compare and contrast two characters from the Iliad or mythology considering their personalities and roles.
In the Iliad, Achilles and Odysseus are contrasting characters. Achilles is driven by pride, wrath, and military prowess, evident in his refusal to fight due to a grudge against Agamemnon and his...
Iliad
What is the climax of the Iliad?
The climax of the Iliad comes when Achilles kills Hector after a fierce battle. Achilles is driven by anger and quest for revenge, as Hector is the one who killed Patroclus. Hector, on the other...
Iliad
Achilles' Return to Battle Motivated by Patroclus' Death
Achilles returns to battle in The Iliad primarily due to the death of his close friend Patroclus. Initially, Achilles withdraws from the Trojan War after a conflict with Agamemnon over the concubine...
Iliad
Why do the three envoys visit Achilles and what is his response?
Three envoys visit Achilles in Book 9 of The Iliad to persuade him to rejoin the battle against the Trojans, as the Achaeans are struggling. Achilles has withdrawn from the fight due to his anger...
Iliad
The central hero of Homer's Iliad
The central hero of Homer's Iliad is Achilles. He is a Greek warrior known for his strength, bravery, and near invincibility, with his only vulnerability being his heel. Achilles' rage and actions...
Iliad
In the Iliad, who is responsible for Achilles' death and who assists him?
Achilles' death is not depicted in The Iliad, but Hector predicts it in Book 22, foretelling that Paris, Hector's brother, assisted by Apollo, will kill Achilles. Later myths elaborate on this,...
Iliad
Describe Achilles' character in three words.
Achilles can be described in three words: "excellent," "intense," and "complex." His excellence, or "arete," highlights his unmatched prowess on the battlefield. He is intensely driven, especially in...
Iliad
What are two adjectives that describe Achilles in the Iliad?
Achilles in The Iliad can be described as sulky and temperamental. He sulks in his tent, refusing to fight because Agamemnon takes Briseis, whom he considers his prize. Despite being Greece's...
Iliad
How do Achilles in Homer's Iliad and Oedipus in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex abide by a universal code of morality?
Achilles and Oedipus demonstrate a universal moral code by accepting responsibility for their actions despite their tragic flaws. Both are driven by pride, leading to their respective downfalls:...
Iliad
In the Iliad, is Achilles aware of his invincibility except for his heel?
In the legends surrounding Achilles, including those not directly from Homer's The Iliad, there are varying accounts of his invincibility. The most famous story involves his mother, Thetis, dipping...
Iliad
What are the personalities of Achilles and Agamemnon in the Iliad?
Achilles and Agamemnon in The Iliad are both prideful and ambitious, driven by a desire for greatness and recognition. Their conflict arises from their differing views on where greatness lies....
Iliad
Why does Zeus deny Achilles's prayer for Patroclus's safe return?
Zeus denies Achilles's prayer for Patroclus's safe return because Patroclus kills Zeus's son Sarpedon during battle. Although Zeus could have saved Sarpedon, he refrains due to concerns about setting...
Iliad
How does the Iliad start?
The Iliad starts with Achilles sulking in his tent in fury because Agamemnon has forcibly taken his prize, the lovely Briseis. Agamemnon does this because he is forced to return his own prize,...
Iliad
In the Iliad, what are Achilles' accomplishments?
Achilles' accomplishments in The Iliad include his exceptional military prowess, notably killing Hector and confronting the river Xanthus. However, his achievements are overshadowed by his immaturity...
Iliad
What character flaws in the Iliad's heroes lead to their tragic events?
In The Iliad, Achilles' tragic events stem from his character flaws, including arrogance and an unyielding nature. His belief in his invincibility, due to his near invulnerability, leads him to act...
Iliad
What is Achilles's resurrection in the Iliad?
Achilles's "resurrection" in the Iliad is not a literal revival, but a metaphorical one. After withdrawing from battle due to the loss of Briseis, Achilles experiences a spiritual rebirth following...
Iliad
What is Patroclus's role in The Iliad? When does Achilles return to battle and why?
Patroclus is a close friend of Achilles. This relationship is critical because when Patroclus dies, Achilles returns to the battle and fights for vengeance for his friend.
Iliad
In the Iliad, what misfortune did Andromache suffer at the hands of Achilles?
Andromache suffered greatly due to Achilles' actions, as he killed her husband Hector, leading to her deep mourning and lamentation. Achilles, driven by revenge for his friend Patroclus' death,...
Iliad
What provoked Hector to face Achilles in Homer's Iliad?
Hector faced Achilles in "The Iliad" after killing Achilles' friend Patroclus, prompting Achilles to vow revenge. Patroclus had been sent to aid the Achaian ships and was killed by Hector after being...
Iliad
Which god, according to Homer, caused Achilles and Agamemnon to fight?
Apollo is the god who causes Achilles and Agamemnon to fight against each other.
Iliad
How does the Iliad exemplify the ancient definition of tragedy?
The Iliad is an epic poem that describes the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon and its consequences on the war of Troy. Themes of the Iliad: morality, heroism, honour, fate and free will, hubris...
Iliad
In the Iliad, is immortality pursued?
The Iliad does not describe the immortality that is achieved in the realm of the divine. The gods and goddesses enjoy this form of immortality, but it is not available to human beings. The most that...