Like I said in class...the Iliad is just like high school. And in the last six books we really see that coming out. It's all a bunch of drama. The worst part is that there are two levels of it! There are the mortals and then there are the gods who have control over the mortals. Of course the gods have drama of their own. Not to mention the fact that they have influence over forces of nature! So we have two parallel planes of pettiness. Sounds like trouble right here in River City folks!
First off, most of the fighting all has to do with a girl. How high school is that? We have to question how much their lives would be different if they hadn't both wanted the same girl. Then we have so many pep rallies it's not even funny. Little pep talks before battle seem to be a favorite pastime of the warriors. Then actions are carried out in illogical fits of rage.
And of course we have Hera's seduction of Zeus. No need to explain any correlations there haha! Then there's the heartbreak of Patroclus' death. It rips a hole through the armies, and finally brings Achilles back to the fight. Agamemnon's motives are questionable (as are most stubborn high schoolers) and I have a feeling he was taking advantage of the situation to get Achilles back. (was Agamemnon not mourning for Patroclus???? Wouldn't it be wrong of him to have a sneaky attitude to win Achilles back at a time of great mourning????)
The last thing I'd like to point out is that in the end the gods seem like they're rooting for their favorite football team!!!
Goodbye Iliad...We'll miss you!!!
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