Summary of Part 2

The Iliad

THE DUEL
Now the two armies approached each other, the Trojans shouting like a huge flock of
cranes, the Greeks in grim silence. As the forces came close enough to do battle, Prince Paris
offered to meet any Greek in a duel, man to man. Menelaus saw that it was Paris he was filled
with joy and wants to revenge. When Paris saw Menelaus he was nervous, but Hector turned on
him with scorn. They made an agreement that whoever won would take Helen home. Hector sent
heralds back to the city for King Priam. Iris disguised herself as a daughter of Priam and brought
Helen the news. When Helen heard the news about the duel she went to the tower above the
Scaean Gate, from which the fighting could be seen. Then the heralds came from Hector to say
that Priam was wanted to offer the sacrifice for the duel. Priam feared for the safety of his son
when he heard the news. Hector and odysseus measured of the ground. Then Paris and Menelaus
start to wear their armor and helmet. Menelaus raised his spear and offered a prayer for revenge
for Zeus. His spear went through Paris shield and breast plate, but he swerved aside, which saved
him from death. Paris was losing their fight but Aphrodite suddenly came to save him and took
to his bedroom. At last Agamemnon spoke to the Trojans. “It is clear”, he said “Menelaus is the
conqueror. Now it is up to you to return Helen and her goods”. At this the Greek applauded
loudly. And had Zeus willed it, the Trojan war might have ended then.

THE FATAL ARROW

Now the gods had gathered in the golden floored palace of Zeus. And while they drank,
they looked down to see what was going on to Troy. Zeus said that Hera and Athena are
supporters of the Greek. They sit calmly while Aphrodite saved her favorite, Paris, from certain
death. Zeus said there is no doubt that Menelaus won the duel and if they approve he will take
Helen home, and the city of Priam will stand. But Hera and Athena were angry, who set on
having Troy destroyed. Zeus was angry too because Troy is the dearest to his heart. Hera asked if
he can let Athena go down to the battlefield and arrange for the Trojans to break the truce. To
this Zeus agreed, since it was also his wish. Athena swooped like a shooting star to earth. She put
on the disguise of a Trojan warrior and sought for Pandarus, a fine archer. Athena seduced
Pandarus to kill Menelaus and told what he should do, fit an arrow to the string, pray for Apollo,
the god of archer, and the deed is done. Pandarus let him be persuaded. Pandarus followed what
Athena told him and the arrow found its way. But Athena had not forgotten Menelaus and turned
aside the arrow’s point so that, no vital part was hit. Agamemnon was shuttered when he saw the
dark blood flow. But Menelaus comforted him and insisted that the wound is nothing and will
soon be cured. Agamemnon sent him to a surgeon Machaon, who took out the arrow and who
applied the healing ointment. While Machaon was attending Menelaus the Trojans began to
advance underarm. So the Greeks put on their armor, and with Athena to help them. Many
Greeks and Trojans lay in the dust, paying their lives for the broken truce.

HECTOR THE BRAVE

The treachery of Pandarus put new fury into the Greek fighters. The Trojans were about
to be forced back into their city, defeated and disgraced. But Helenus, a son of Priam and the
best prophet in Troy, sought out Hector at this moment. He let Hector decide if they will keep the
men on the gates, or they will go running in to the women and give their enemies the victory.
Hector moved among the men and he put such new heart into their fighting that the Greeks
thought some god must be fighting for Troy. Then Hector walked back into the city, and reached
the great oak tree at the Scaean gates. Trojan wives and daughters swarmed about him, pleading
for news of their man. He went on Priam’s handsome palace and met his mother. Hector ordered
his mother to offer Athena the finest robe she have. The queen made the sacrifice and placed on
Athena’s knees, but Athena refused her prayers. Then Hector left and went to his home to check
his wife and son. His wife was not at home, so Hector hurried back through the streets. When he
reached the Scaean gates, his wife was there to meet him. The nurse followed him with their
little boy. Her wife cried because she is afraid to lose Hector. But hector said they cannot escape
their fate and no one will send him to Hades until his appointed time. Then Hector took up his
helmet and spear, and Andromache went on her way home with tears.