I.

Title: Iliad

II. Author: Homer

III. Introduction (in not more than 20 sentences)

The Iliad is an epic that tells about only a few weeks during the Trojan War. It
began nearly ten years into the siege of Troy by the Greek forces, led
by Agamemnon, King of Mycenae. It takes place at Troy over three thousand years
ago, about the son of the sea nymph named Thetis and a mortal named Peleus. The
Iliad is said to be the earliest work in the whole western literary tradition, and one
of the best known and loved stories of all time. Achilles is the main character of
the story and the greatest warrior around the world. Trojan War is a legendary
conflict between Greeks and the people of Troy.

IV. Personal reflection

In The Iliad by Homer it foretells a story of a war that took place for almost 10 years
and shows how selfish acts can lead to unforgettable outcomes. The poem is
magnificent in its theme as well as style. It dwells on a multilateral heroic story
integrating action of majesty as well as broad sweep. The poem is of national
importance due to the fact that it revolves around the history and ambitions of a
country in a supercilious manner. Compared to the other stories that I’ve read, this
is one of the best stories of this kind of genre. Through its portrayal of the epic
subject matter of the Trojan War, the stirring scenes of bloody battle, the wrath
of Achilles and the constant interventions of the gods.

V. Critical analysis

1. What was the conflict of the story?

The main conflict in The Iliad is caused from the hubris, or excessive pride, of the
main character, Achilles. Achilles is an amazing man whom they describe as the
greatest warrior of the Greek mythology. Because of king Agamemnon who
takes Bryseis as a hostage where she is the prize concubine of Achilles. Feeling
dishonoured, Achilles wrathfully withdraws both himself to the war. As a result,
Achilles refuses to partake in the war, and the absence of his strength causes the
Greeks to suffer greatly in their battle against the Trojans. Barely managing to
fight the Trojans back, the Greek army continues to face casualties. The casualties
do not sway Achilles at first, but when his best friend Patroclus is killed, the
mighty warrior grows angry with rage. Achilles once again joins the battle to
protect his honour - ensuring victory for the Greeks.

2. What is the theme, or the central idea, of the story?

The story revolves around glory, wrath, love, friendship and faith. Friendship
can be seen between Achilles and Patroclus, we can see in the story where
Patroclus dies, Achilles went with his desire for revenge and his anger pushed him
to kill Hector. Friendship between warriors is necessary to maintain morale during
wartime, but it also extends beyond the battlefield. Greek literature and mythology
rely heavily on the theme of fate and free will it was also the case of Homer's The
Iliad. The fate of both Achilles and Hector are brought up throughout the poem.
More importantly, the poem seems to rest on the notion that man does not have a
choice in how his life will turn out because it has already been chosen for him.

3. Who do you think is the most interesting character of the story? Tell
something about him or her.
Achilles wins for me, he has a dynamic character. He is known to be the
strongest warrior and the hero behind the Greek army in the Trojan War.
Achilles was the son of a mortal, Peleus. Achilles was extraordinarily strong,
courageous and loyal, but he had one vulnerability, his “heel”. He was second to
none as a warrior, he is invulnerable (except on the heel) because his mother
dipped him in the River Styx as a baby which almost gave him immortality.

4. Who do you think is the least interesting character of the story? Tell
something about him or her.
It’s Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae. He was the reason why Achilles
quit to participate in the war. He is thoughtless and foolish. Agamemnon is a
bully who blames others for his own failings, and sacrificed his own daughter so he
could proceed to war.

5. What was your favorite part of the story?

The best part of the story for me is when Achilles bursts into rage and anger
against Agamemnon. The rage of Achilles finds its form as a result causing the
god to send a plague to the Achaeans. Achilles, who was frustrated with
Agamemnon’s tenuous leadership, publicly berates him. A competition ensues
between the two men, revealing an Achaean contest for the best of men -the most
excellent. Agamemnon believes himself to be the best of men because he rules the
greatest number, and therefore he is deserving of the greatest goods. This belief
causes Agamemnon to take Briseis, a prize rightfully won by Achilles, to claim
her as his own. Achilles, however, believes himself to be the best of men because
he is the greatest warrior. His powerful aggression causes fear among the Achaeans
and Trojans alike. Both men claim the right to be the most excellent.

6. What was your least favorite part of the story?

It was the time that Achilles didn’t proceed participating in the war due to
Agamemnon’s foolishness.

7. Does the story have a ‘coda’, or a lesson? What is it?

Possessing the courage to fight for the people. Courage is one of the greatest
thing that a warrior can carry in a war, besides its weaponry. For true leaders to
possess not only courage but also the pride and the righteousness to uphold in
maintaining a good term, which Agamemnon is oblivious to.

8. Based on your answer in question number 6. Were you able to relate that
lesson in your life right now? Share something about it.
Yes. We all have different battles in our lives and sometimes we can’t always
proceed for something we’ve always been doing just because. We can fall but we
can’t give up. It is all about having the courage to survive. If you are able to take
that one leap of faith, you’ve got nothing to lose.

9. Does the story have a ‘twist’, or an unexpected ending?

For me maybe it was the part when his weakness was his heel because it
wasn’t dipped completely at the river. Well he could’ve had other’s but it
made sense

10.Would you recommend this story to others? Why?

Yes, because the story possesses variety of character, the wise, the
foolish, the clever, the noble and the ambitious. The Iliad is mostly about
people, not war, and it gives us unforgettable and universal character types. I
bet anyone could enjoy this story.