"ILIAD AND ODYSSEY"

The Iliad” revolves around the final year of the Trojan War, primarily focusing on the conflict
between the Greeks and the Trojans. The epic begins with the rage of Achilles, the greatest
warrior among the Greeks. When Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces, dishonors
Achilles, he withdraws from battle, causing the Greeks to suffer significant setbacks.
Throughout the narrative, the poem explores the tragic fate of the heroes, including Hector, the
Trojan prince, and Patroclus, Achilles’ closest companion.features the intervention of the gods,
who take sides and influence the outcomes of the war. Zeus, Apollo, Athena, and other deities
play significant roles in the story, often aiding their favored mortals or interfering with the
opposing side. The poem delves into themes such as honor, glory, the devastating effects of
war, the complexities of human nature, and the relationship between mortals and gods.

The epic concludes with the death of Hector and the mourning of the Trojans. Achilles, driven by
his thirst for revenge, challenges Hector’s killer, Paris, to a duel, ultimately leading to the fall of
Troy. The Iliad ends with the funeral of Hector, symbolizing the consequences and sorrows of
war.

The Odyssey,” on the other hand, follows the adventures of Odysseus, the Greek hero and king
of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the Trojan War. The epic poem is divided into 24
books and covers a period of ten years, encompassing both Odysseus’ trials at sea and the
challenges faced by his family back in Ithaca.

“The Odyssey” begins with an invocation to the Muse, who is asked to inspire the poet to
recount the story of Odysseus. The narrative then shifts to Ithaca, where Odysseus’ wife,
Penelope, and son, Telemachus, face a predicament. Odysseus has been absent for twenty
years, and a group of suitors has gathered in his palace, hoping to marry Penelope and claim the
throne. Telemachus, now a young man, decides to embark on a journey to find news of his
father.Meanwhile, the story switches to Odysseus, who is trapped on the island of Ogygia,
where the nymph Calypso has held him captive for seven years. The gods intervene, and
Hermes, the messenger of the gods, is sent to order Calypso to release Odysseus. Calypso
reluctantly complies, and Odysseus builds a raft to set sail. However, Poseidon, the god of the
sea, enraged at Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, unleashes a storm that
wrecks the raft. Odysseus manages to survive and swims to the island of Scheria.In Scheria, the
Phaeacians, a hospitable and seafaring people, receive Odysseus. He tells them his story,
recounting his adventures since leaving Troy. He begins with the tale of his encounters with the
Cicones, the Lotus-Eaters, and the Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus describes how he blinded
Polyphemus to escape his clutches, earning the wrath of Poseidon. The Phaeacians are
impressed by his story and offer him a ship to return to Ithaca.The narrative then takes a
temporary departure from Odysseus to focus on events in Ithaca. Telemachus, guided by the
goddess Athena in disguise, travels to Pylos and Sparta to seek news of his father. He meets
Nestor and Menelaus, both heroes of the Trojan War, who provide him with valuable information
and guidance. Telemachus gains confidence and learns about the suitors’ treachery, returning
to Ithaca determined to confront them.Meanwhile, back with Odysseus, he arrives in Ithaca but
is unaware of his location due to Athena’s intervention. Athena disguises him as an old beggar
to test the loyalty of his household. Odysseus reunites with his loyal swineherd, Eumaeus, who
offers him shelter and food. Telemachus, back in Ithaca, arrives at the swineherd’s hut and
reunites with his father, who reveals his true identity only to his son.To exact revenge on the
suitors and reclaim his kingdom, Odysseus, with the help of Telemachus and a few loyal allies,
devises a plan. Penelope, still skeptical about Odysseus’ return, announces a contest to string
Odysseus’ bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axhead sockets. Odysseus, disguised as the
beggar, takes part in the contest, effortlessly strings the bow, and sends an arrow through the
sockets. He then reveals himself, and with the help of Telemachus and his allies, they slaughter
the suitors.Odysseus’ trials are not yet over, as he must confront the families of the suitors.
However, Athena intervenes, ensuring a reconciliation and the restoration of peace in Ithaca.
Odysseus reveals himself to Penelope, who initially doubts his identity but is eventually
convinced by his intimate knowledge of their marital bed. The couple is joyfully reunited, and
Odysseus meets his aged father, Laertes.Word of the suitors’ fate spreads, and the families
seek vengeance. The gods, however, intervene once again, bringing about a resolution. Zeus
commands a peaceful agreement, and Odysseus and his family are granted safety and harmony.
The epic concludes with a prophetic glimpse into the future, foreshadowing the eventual death
of Odysseus and the peacefulness that will prevail after his passing.

Both “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” are extraordinary works of ancient Greek literature that
delve into profound themes such as honor, glory, loyalty, the impact of war, the complexities of
human nature, and the relationship between mortals and gods. These epics continue to
captivate readers with their vivid storytelling, heroic quests, and timeless lessons.
 "STORY OF TROY"

Afer long years, Greek and Trojans gain peace. But unfortunately, Paris took Helen, wife of
Menelaus, to be his wife. Paris then prepared to set of for Sparta to capture Helen. In Sparta,
Menelaus, husband of Helen, treated Paris as a royal guest. However, when Menelaus left
Sparta to go to a funeral, Paris abducted Helen (who perhaps went willingly) and also.carried off
much of Menelaus' wealth. Hector, brother of Paris can’t resist his anger because of what his
brother did.Menelaus, however, was outraged to find that Paris had taken Helen. He wanted to
fight to get her back but many Greeks did not want to go to war. Odysseus pretended to be
insane to avoid going to war but this trick was uncovered by Palamedes. Achilles was sought
afer because the seer Calchas had stated that Troy would not be taken unless Achilles would
fight.The Greek fleet assembled, under Agamemnon's inspection, in Aulis. However,
Agamemnon either killed one of Diana's sacred stags or made a careless boast. Either way,
Diana was outraged and she calmed the seas so that the fleet could not take off. The seer
Calchas proclaimed that Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, must be sacrificed before the fleet
couldset sail. Agamemnon complied and sacrificed his own daughter, and the Greek ships set
off insearch of Troy.Odysseus, known for his eloquence, and Menelaus were sent as
ambassadors to King Priam. They demanded Helen and the stolen treasure be returned. Priam
refused, andOdysseus and Menelaus returned to the Greek ships with the announcement that
war wasinevitable.The first nine years of the war consisted of both war in Troy and war against
the neighboring regions. The Greeks realized that Troy was being supplied by its neighboring
kingdoms, so Greeks were sent to defeat these areas. The Greeks won many important battles
and the Trojan hero Hector fell, and was evendragged through the city of Troy behind a war
chariot. However, the Greeks could not breakdown the walls of Troy. Patroclus was killed and,
soon afer, Achilles was killed by Paris. Seeking to gain entrance into Troy, clever Odysseus
ordered a large wooden horse to bebuilt. It’s insides were to be hollow so that soldiers could
hide within it and the rest of the Greek could army got into their ships and sailed away. The
Trojans thought that they had won the battle and that the horse was a gif. Once the statue had
been built by the artist Epeius, anumber of the Greek warriors, along with Odysseus, climbed
inside.One man, Sinon, was lef behind. When the Trojans came to marvel at the huge creation,
Sinon pretended to be angry with the Greeks, statinng that they had deserted him. He assured
the Trojans that the wooden horse was safe and would bring luck to the Trojans. Onlytwo
people, Laocoon and Cassandra, spoke out against the horse, but they were ignored.
TheTrojans celebrated what they thought was their victory, and dragged the wooden horse
intoTroy.That night, afer most of Troy was asleep or in a drunken stupor, Sinon let the
Greekwarriors out from the horse, and they slaughtered the Trojans. Priam was killed as he
huddled by Zeus' altar and Cassandra was pulled from the statue of Athena and raped. Aeneas,
a Trojanprince, managed to escape the destruction of Troy, and Virgil's Aeneid tells of his fight
fromTroy. Menelaus, who had been determined to kill his faithless wife, was soon taken by
Helen'sbeauty and seductiveness that he allowed her to live. The surviving Trojan women were
dividedamong the Greek men along with the other plunder. The Greeks then set sail for home,
which,for some, proved as difficult and took as much time as the Trojan War itself
SUBMITTED BY:
Geneva Mae O. Ampon

SUBMITTED TO:
Ma'am Sittie Shahanie R.
Tanggote-Taib

SUBJECT: AR.PAN
Date:April 14,2024