II.

THE AUTHOR AND

BIOGRAPHY
HOMER IS THE LEGENDARY AUTHOR
OF THE EPIC POEMS THE ILIAD AND
THE ODYSSEY, WHICH ARE
CONSIDERED TWO OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT WORKS IN WESTERN
LITERATURE. IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER
HOMER WAS A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL OR
A COLLECTIVE NAME FOR A GROUP OF
POETS.
BIRTH YEAR: 800 “HOMER”
BIRTH COUNTRY: GREECE/IONIA
GENDER: MALE
CONTRIBUTION TO LITERATURE:

HOMER IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF

WESTERN LITERATURE. HIS TWO EPIC POEMS, THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY,
ARE CONSIDERED THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS OF NARRATIVE POETRY
AND HAVE INFLUENCED NUMEROUS OTHER PIECES OF WRITING OVER THE
YEARS. THE ILIAD TELLS THE STORY OF THE TROJAN WAR, A TEN-YEAR
CONFLICT BETWEEN THE GREEKS AND THE TROJANS. THE POEM EXPLORES
THEMES OF HONOR, GLORY, AND THE FUTILITY OF WAR. IT FEATURES A CAST
OF ICONIC CHARACTERS, SUCH AS ACHILLES, HECTOR, AND ODYSSEUS, AND
IT PORTRAYS THEIR STRUGGLES AND CONFLICTS IN INTRICATE DETAIL. THE
ODYSSEY, ON THE OTHER HAND, FOCUSES ON THE HERO ODYSSEUS'S
JOURNEY HOME AFTER THE TROJAN WAR. THIS EPIC POEM IS A MASTERFUL
EXPLORATION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION, AS IT DEALS WITH THEMES SUCH
AS TEMPTATION, LOYALTY, AND THE QUEST FOR SELFDISCOVERY. HOMER'S
WORKS HAVE HAD A PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
LITERATURE, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF EPIC POETRY, HEROIC
STORYTELLING, AND MYTHOLOGICAL LORE. HIS WRITINGS CONTINUE TO
INSPIRE AND CAPTIVATE READERS TODAY, THOUSANDS OF YEARS AFTER
THEY WERE FIRST COMPOSED AND HIS REAL LIFE MAY REMAIN MYSTERY.
III. CHARACTERS AND THEIR ROLE
Achilles: The central character
and the greatest warrior in the
Achaean army. His wrath at
Agamemnon for taking his war
prize, the maiden Briseis, forms
the main subject of the Iliad.

Agamemnon: The king of

Mycenae and leader of the
Achaean army. He is brother to
Menelaus. His demand for
Achilles' war prize, Briseis,
sparks Achilles' withdrawal from
battle.

Hector: Prince of Troy and a

mighty warrior. He is the
antagonist of Achilles. Hector is
a devoted son, husband, and
father, and a great patriot. He
leads the Trojan army in the
absence of King Priam.
 Zeus: The king of the gods and
the most powerful figure on
Mount Olympus. Zeus' will
dominates the course of the war.

Hera: Queen of the gods and

Zeus' wife. She hates the Trojans
and often aids the Achaeans in
battle.

Patroclus: Achilles’ beloved

friend, and advisor. His death at
the hands of Hector makes
Achilles return to the fight and
seek vengeance.

Odysseus: A fine warrior and the

cleverest of the Achaean
commanders. He often acts as an
advisor to Agamemnon.
Menelaus: The king of Sparta and
the younger brother of
Agamemnon. His wife is Helen.
Menelaus' marriage to Helen was
the reason for the Trojan War as
her abduction by Paris led to the
conflict. He is a brave warrior and
an important figure in the
Achaean army
.
Helen: Known as Helen of Troy,
she is reputed to be the most
beautiful woman in the world. She
was initially married to Menelaus
but was abducted by Paris,
causing the Trojan War. In some
interpretations, Helen is seen as a
passive character, who is led
astray by the gods' interference,
while in others, she is viewed as
an active participant in her fate.
 IV. SETTINGS
The epic poem "Iliad" by Homer takes place during the
tenth and final year of the Trojan War. The story revolves
around the conflict between the Greeks, led by
Agamemnon, and the Trojans, led by King Priam. The war is
fought primarily in and around the ancient city of Troy, also
known as Ilion or Ilium, located in what is now modern-day
Turkey.

The Greeks have set up their camp outside the walls of Troy,
where the Achaean army is stationed. The Trojans,
defending their city, face relentless attacks from the Greek
warriors who are determined to conquer Troy.

Throughout the epic, the actions and interactions of the

characters take place within this war-torn environment. The
narrative explores the heroism, bravery, and struggles of
warriors on both sides, as well as the involvement of the
gods and goddesses who intervene in the mortal realm.

The epic also delves into the complex relationships and

conflicts among the characters, such as the rivalry between
Achilles and Agamemnon, the love between Paris and
Helen, and the familial bonds within the Trojan royal family.

The detailed portrayal of the Trojan War and the events

surrounding it provides a rich backdrop for the epic
narrative, showcasing the themes of honor, glory, fate, and
the consequences of war.
V. SUMMARY/PLOT
The "Iliad" by Homer is an ancient Greek epic poem that
tells the story of the Trojan War. The poem is set during
the final year of the war and focuses on a few crucial
weeks of intense fighting between the Greeks and the
Trojans. The epic begins with a dispute between Achilles,
the greatest warrior among the Greeks, and Agamemnon,
the leader of the Greek forces. This leads to Achilles
withdrawing from battle, which greatly weakens the
Greek army and allows the Trojans, led by their prince
Hector, to gain the upper hand. Throughout the poem,
the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus intervene in
the war, taking sides and influencing the outcome of
battles. The gods often favor the Trojans, while the
Greeks struggle without the aid of their greatest warrior,
Achilles. The story follows the heroic deeds and tragic
fates of various characters. Hector, the noble Trojan
prince, fights valiantly for his city. Patroclus, Achilles'
close friend, is killed by Hector, leading to Achilles'
return to battle seeking revenge. Achilles engages in a
fierce duel with Hector and ultimately kills him,
dishonoring his body by dragging it behind his chariot.
The "Iliad" explores themes of honor, glory, fate, and the
consequences of war. It delves into the complexities of
human nature, showcasing the heroism, flaws, and
emotions of the characters involved. The poem ends
with the funeral of Hector, as both the Greeks and the
Trojans mourn the loss of their fallen heroes. Overall, the
"Iliad" is a powerful portrayal of the human condition,
highlighting the triumphs and tragedies of war and the
intricate motivations of its characters. It serves as a
timeless reminder of the enduring impact of ancient
Greek literature and its exploration of universal themes.
EVALUATION:
One of my favorite parts of the "Iliad" is
the heart-wrenching plot where
Patroclus, Achilles' close friend and
companion, tragically loses his life at
the hands of Hector. This devastating
event deeply affects Achilles, stirring a
mix of grief, anger, and a burning desire
for revenge. It humanizes the epic by
showcasing the profound impact of
personal loss and the lengths one would
go to avenge a loved one.

The characters in the "Iliad" are deep

and have many different sides to them.
Achilles shows us what happens when
we let our strong emotions take control,
and Hector teaches us about being
noble and honorable. When these
characters interact with the gods, it
adds to the story and shows us more
about how people and gods can
influence each other.
 The "Iliad" is still very important
today. It talks about things that
are always relevant, like what
happens in war, how people can
be complicated, and the
importance of friendship and
loyalty. The story of Patroclus and
Achilles seeking revenge makes
us think about if revenge is right,
how personal loss affects us, and
how war can hurt not just the
soldiers, but also their families
and friends.

Homer wrote the "Iliad" to

entertain, educate, and preserve
the memory of the Trojan War. He
wanted to capture the bravery,
sadness, and tough choices the
characters faced. The poem also
makes us think about life, destiny,
and the gods' role in our lives.
The "Iliad" teaches us important lessons. It
shows us the value of honor, honesty, and
loyalty, while also warning us about the
dangers of pride and anger. The poem
makes us think about the impact of war on
people and communities. It also raises
questions about fate, free will, and the
influence of the gods.

I highly recommend reading the "Iliad" by

Homer if you enjoy ancient Greek stories,
exciting adventures, and deep ideas. This
epic poem gives us a fascinating look at
what it means to be human and makes us
think about important questions. Just
remember, the "Iliad" can be a bit difficult
to understand at times because it's very
detailed and complex. But if you're ready
for a thrilling and meaningful reading
experience, it will be worth it and stay with
you for a long time.