The Iliad II: An Epic for the Ages

Rage, honor, and fate continue to drive The Iliad to its ultimate, tragic end. As we read, we’ll explore the following questions:

1. What is it about beauty that would have made the Greeks go to war over a beautiful woman?
2. How does The Iliad highlight the values of the Greek gods that the heros then personify?
3. How does Homer attempt to resolve the conflict between loyalty to the family and loyalty to the city?

Recommended Reading: Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1990.