10/28/13 – The Iliad:

Choose a major human or divine character, such as Achilles, Hector, Zeus, Priam, Apollo, or otherwise, from the Iliad and two of the following themes of the work:

• Fame (kléos)
• Hybris
• Honor (timé)
• Anger (ménis)
• Fate (moîra) 
• The fleeting nature of life (parodikós) 
• Love (agápe)
• Relationship between mortals and the gods

And use the experiences and actions of that character in the Iliad to show how/why that he/she does or does not typify and express that theme. Discuss why or why not such actions and traits make the person heroic, cowardly, or neither. Do you feel his/her characteristics would be common or emulated by the people reading the work, or form some sort of moral compass for the people in Homer’s day?

Does the way the human/god interact with others the character encounters help or hinder others; to wit, is the fame/hybris/honor/anger/fate, etc., a good thing or a bad thing for others beyond the character? If discussing fate/moîra, does the character accept his/her fate, or fight against it, and to what result?

Your essay should be 500-600 words (2.5 to 3 pages) and cover your two chosen traits/themes with sufficient depth. In-line citations of the Iliad are not necessary for this essay, but you should reference specific plot elements to back up the points you wish to make and avoid generalizing statements.