The Iliad
Poetry
|
Homer
Iliad Poem
The Iliad, Book I, Lines
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Tumblr
View print mode
Copy embed code
Add this poem to an anthology
Homer
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.
Begin with the clash be...
Read Iliad Poem
Iliad Character
Characters
Major Characters (Greeks, Achaeans, or Argives)
Achilles: The greatest hero of the Greeks. A demigod, son of the sea goddess Thetis. His wrath is the central focus of the epic. Symbol of pride, vengeance, and heroism.
Agamemnon: Commander-in-Chief of the Greek army. Proud and power-hungry. He quarrels with Achilles over Briseis. Symbol of leadership and conflict.
Menelaus: Brothe...
Expand Iliad Character
Iliad Quotations
“The rage of Achilles – sing it now, goddess.” – (The Iliad, Book 1)
Explanation: The poet begins the epic with an invocation to the Muse, asking her to sing about Achilles’s rage. This rage is the central theme of the Iliad and causes countless sorrows and deaths in the Trojan War.
“I will not stop killing Trojans until . . . I meet Hector and fight him man to man, and he kills me or I kill hi...
Expand Iliad Quotations
Iliad Theme
Themes
Religion: In The Iliad, the role of the gods and goddesses is most important. The war is not fought only by human hands but also moves according to the will of the gods. Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, and Aphrodite all take sides. Some help the Greeks, others help the Trojans. They descend directly onto the battlefield, thrusting spears, protecting warriors, or weakening them. For example, Apo...
Expand Iliad Theme
Iliad Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: Definition: When one thing is directly compared to another without using like or as. Example: Achilles is repeatedly called a “lion” or a “blazing fire.” Explanation: Achilles is a man, but through metaphor, he is compared to terrifying strength and destructive fire. This shows that his rage and power go beyond human limits, making him seem like a force of nature. It...
Expand Iliad Literary Device
Notes
Explore 20 detailed notes related to The Iliad. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.