Book 7: Hector and Paris

Plot Summary:
The book starts off after Hector and Paris had returned from Troy. They
hurriedly joined the trojan ranks in an effort to turn the tides of battle. Paris
kills off Menestheus, a prince of Arne whilst Hector was occupied with
Eioneus.

On the godly side of the battle, Athena grew worried with the entry of
Hector and Paris. The Achaeans were being slaughtered by the numbers as
the battle grew intensely. Apollo saw Athena’s intentions as she charrioted
down Olympus once more. He knew her interference would cause his favored
Trojans thus he came to confront her.

Apollo suggested that instead of entering the war, they must halt it for
now. He suggests that they convince Hector to ask for a duel with the Trojans.
Athena agreed with the plan. Helenus, a brother of Hector, caught wind of
the gods’ will so he went to relay it to Hector.

Hector gladly acted upon the plan. Gripping his sharp deadly spear he
braved through the trojan ranks reaching the center. He declared his
intention of dueling a worthy Achaean warrior. He challenged their honor
suggesting that if he wins the Achaean must be hung on the temple of
Apollo before being given back.

The Achaeans froze in fear and none dared receive his challenge until
Menelaus broke the silence. He claimed that the men in front of him were
cowards, a disgrace amongst men. Angered at the weakness of the Argive
army, he wanted to duel Hector himself.

Agamemnon opposed immediately. He warned his brother not to be

swayed by his hunger for battle and to realize his own strength. He reminded
him that even Achilles, a greater warrior than Menalaus, is hesitant in dueling
Hector. Menalaus ended up withdrawing from the duel. Nestor next stood up.
He reminisced about his past claiming that if he were younger he would’ve
taken on Hector himself. He expressed his regret that the new generation of
warriors are unable to rise to the challenge.
 With his speech, 9 Achaean warriors stood up to seemingly retaliate
against his claims. Notably, Agamemnon was first to stand up, then
Diomedes, the two Ajaxes, Idomeneus, Meriones, Eurypylus, Thomas, and
finally, Odysseus. Nestor ordered them to draw lots for who shall battle
Hector.

The people prayed to Zeus that Ajax were to be voted. In the end, his lot
was the one picked. Ajax, though filled with courage, asked the people to pray
to Zeus for his victory, or if he wishes Hector to be saved, at least grant them
equal strength.

Ajax then picked up his armor. His large looming figure made the
Trojan soldiers tremble and Hector faltered just a bit. Ajax walked over to
Hector and told him that it wasn’t just Achilles who could match him, in fact,
many Achaeans are willing to. Hector told him that he knew. He knew what
war required, for it to last that long. He knew that both of them know what
it's like to fight and how to kill.

After their musings the fight began. Hector used his spear to pierce
through Ajax’s seven layered shield, unfortunately it stopped at the seventh
layer. Ajax then returned the blow to Hector who narrowly evaded it. Their
strength and vigor was compared to a raging lion or a savage boar. Soon
enough, due to each stroke, stab, and throw, the armors and shields of the
two warriors fell apart. Their weapons fell to the ground but before they could
switch to hand to hand combat, a herald from Troy and Achaeans stepped in.

Zeus calls for a tie citing the night as a reason. Hector is persuaded and
he admits to Ajax that he believes that he is a worthy match. In the end they
decide to reconcile with presents. Hector gave Ajax a silver studded sword
and scabbard while Ajax gave him a shining purple belt. In the end they
returned to their respective posts.

At the side of the Achaeans, the Argive troops are rejoicing and feasting
for Ajax’s return. Nestor proposed suggesting a ceasefire to allow them to
bury the dead. Meanwhile, on the other side, Trojan leaders were arguing and
growing more fearful of what’s to come.
 Atenor, a wise counselor from Troy, pleaded with Paris to return Helen
to her wife but Paris refused. He told him that the best compromise he has
was to give every property he has collected and some of his own. Priam,
knowing that his son can no longer be persuaded, decided to call off the
meeting with the proposal of settling for the war to at least be postponed for
the burial of dead bodies.

Main Characters and Character Roles:

1. Hector
- came back to battle from Troy
- representative of Troy for the duel
- tied with Great Ajax
2. Apollo
- suggested to halt the battle and decided to start a duel of a
representative of each side
- convinced/offered Hector to be the representative of the Trojans
3. Athena
- saw that the Achaeans are being defeated and agreed to Apollo’s plan
4. Great Ajax
- chosen Achaean to duel with Hector
5. Zeus
- called the duel a tie
- got mad at the Achaeans for not offering to him after the duel
6. Antenor
- told to Paris to just give Helen away to end the war

Other/Supporting Characters:
1. Paris
- came with Hector to the battlefield from Troy
- suggests to give all of his loot and some of his property
2. Helenos
- told Hector about the god’s will to him about the duel
3. Menelaus
- stood up to duel with Hector but was stopped by Agamemnon
4. Agamemnon
- stopped Menelaus to battle because he is too weak for Hector
5. Nestor
- encouraged the Achaeans to volunteer fighting Hector
 6. Poseidon
- told Zeus that the Achaeans are building their walls/ramparts instead
of glorifying them
7. Euneus (Ieson/Jason’s son)
- brought the wines to the Achaeans for their feast

Analysis:
- https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/section5/

- https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-iliad/book-7

Themes:
Book 8:
Plot Summary:
Book 8 begins with the gods assembling before Zeus. At the highest
crest of Mount Olympus declares that he strictly forbids any god to interfere
with the war. He threatens to throw anyone who does in the darkest pits of
Tartarus. Athena raises a question if they would at least be allowed to give
advice to the sides they choose. Zeus doubles down and allows them but
reminds them not to engage in battle.

Meanwhile, Achaeans and Trojans were both preparing for battle. The
Trojans, with little numbers they had, dared to open the gates of Troy. Then
the battle began. The clashing of spears and shields served as rhythm for the
screams of agony and triumph.

As the sun rose higher the battle intensified but when the sun finally
reached its peak, Zeus who kept watch since the beginning began turning
the scales of his golden balance. Two fates were decided, one for Trojans and
Achaeans. A scale sank down, down towards the all sustaining earth whilst
one rose to the heavens.

A loud thunderclap entered the battle and the Achaeans dared not to
look up. Fear had them in its tight grip, even Agamemnon held back.
Amongst Achaeans, Nestor was the only one who kept his pace, though it
was due to his horse being pierced by Paris’ arrow in battle.

Just as the Achaean army was breaking down, Hector pierced through
with his bold chariot. Nestor would’ve died if Diomedes had not seen him.
Diomedes did his best to fight against the wave of Trojan warriors coming at
him. Yet a thunderbolt landed in front of him. Nestor paled in fright but
delivered the news. Zeus made his choice and he was not on the side of
Achaeans.

Nestor encouraged Diomedes to turn back but he reasons that Hector

will call him a coward if he does. Nestor argues that it isn’t cowardly because
Hector isn’t necessarily fighting on fair ground. When Diomedes turned back
Hector belittled him and rallied the Trojans announcing that it was clear, the
mighty god Zeus had granted them victory.
 He even taunted them saying that if he can defeat Diomedes and
Nestor taking their god given items, they would be able to win the war
instantly. His declaration angered Hera. She went to Poseidon trying to
convince him to go up against Zeus.

The battle raged on, Hector tried to burn the Achaean ships but Hera
sent a counter plan to Agamemnon’s mind. Agamemnon ran to the forefront
of the Achaean army. He raised their fighting spirit accounting for all the
things they have claimed upon themselves, he cried.

Zeus felt sorry for them and allowed for their safety by sending an eagle
with a tender fawn in its talons as an omen for his sympathy. This encouraged
the Achaeans and faced the battle with the Trojans. Diomedes initiated the
battle by killing Agelaos with a spear, followed by other Achaeans. Followed
by them at the ninth order is Teukros/Teucer, who hid behind the shield of
Great Ajax as he shot eight Trojans with his bow. Agamemnon complimented
his marksmanship but he said that it has no point for he cannot knock Hector
down.

Teukros/Teucer continued aiming and shooting at Hector but he kept

on missing his shots and hit the other sons of Priam and Hector’s charioteer
instead. Hector pulled Kebriones, his brother, to replace the past charioteer.
He went out of his chariot, grabbed a stone, and stroked it to Teukros/Teucer,
hitting his collarbone. Great Ajax protected Tekuros/Teucer with his shield
and two of his men, Mekisteus and Alastor brought him back to the ships.
Because of the several deaths of the Trojans, Zeus saw what happened and
motivated them more. Hector is considered as the Trojan who leads their
team’s attack and compared to a Gorgon and to Ares.

Hera looked down to the Achaeans and pitied them so she said to
Athena that she had enough with Zeus and they should start helping the
Achaeans. Athena agreed to her and they rode their chariot down. Zeus saw
this with anger, so he called Iris as a messenger to tell them to stop or he will
punish them both. Iris went to them and told them about the threats of Zeus.
Hera and Athena, upset, agreed to stop for the sake of Zeus.
 Zeus went back to Mount Olympus and saw Hera and Athena who are
not talking to him. He spoke to them and said that they made the right
decision because they will be punished if they did not. Athena showed a
visible hatred to Zeus and Hera spoke up with anger that Zeus should stop
because of the possible downfall of the Achaeans. He replied that everything
will be fine as he already have plans, including the things that will happen to
Hector and Patroclus. He also pointed out the attitude of Hera of having a
bad temper.

In the nighttime, Hector held an assembly to the Trojans and, decided

to call a feast and plan the raid for the next day, especially on slaughtering
Diomedes. The day ends as about a thousand of them lay around the firelight.

Characters and Character Roles:

Main Characters and Character Roles:
1. Zeus
- forbade the gods to interfere with the battle of the mortals
- decided the fate of the two sides
- brought thunderclaps to the Achaeans as an omen for their downfall
- sided the Trojans
- gave a lightning bolt in front of Diomedes
- sent an eagle as an omen for his sympathy for the Achaeans
- argued with Hera and Athena
2. Diomedes
- saves Nestor
- tries to fight against Hector
3. Nestor
- kept himself in pace while the other Achaeans run because of the
thunderclaps of Zeus
4. Hera
- tries to convince Poseidon to go against Zeus
- sends Agamemnon a counter plan
5. Athena
- takes the Achaean side with Hera
6. Hector
- saw and taunted Nestor
- fought and belittled Diomedes
 - threw a stone to Teucer/Teukros
- described as blazing-eyed as a Gorgon, or as Ares
7. Teucer/Teukros
- used a bow to shoot the Trojans
- glorified by Agamemnon because of his marksmanship

Other/Supporting Characters:
1. Iris
- Zeus’ messenger that told Hera and Athena about Zeus’ threat to
them if they did not stop interfering with the mortals
2. Agamemnon
- glorified Teucer/Teukros
3. Great Ajax
- protected Teucer/Teukros with his shield as he shoots the Trojans
4. Poseidon
- asked and convinced by Hera to help them to go up against Zeus but
refused

Analysis:

Themes:

Quiz:
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/section5/?quickquiz_id=316

https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-the-iliad-book-7-
summary.html
https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-the-iliad-book-8-
summary.html

IMPORTANT PARTS
Book 7
- Hector and Paris returned from Troy and joined the battle
- Apollo and Athena decided to start a duel between Hector and an
Achaean
- Hector and Great Ajax had a duel and tied
 - Priam and Agamemnon called off a feast and a burial of the dead
bodies on each side
- Poseidon and Zeus got mad at the Achaeans for not glorifying them
after the battle.

Book 8
- Zeus declares that he strictly forbids the gods to interfere with the
battle between the Trojans and Achaeans.
- Zeus turned the scale of his golden balance to decide the fate of the
war.
- Nestor kept his pace and tried to be saved by Diomedes as the other
Achaeans run away from the thunderclaps of Zeus.
- Zeus sent an eagle to the Achaeans as an omen for his sympathy.
- The battle between the Trojans and Achaeans raged on.
- Hera and Athena argued with Zeus.