The Iliad: Achilles’ Wrath and Fate’s Balance

I. The Iliad in the Twentieth Century

A. W.H. Auden’s “The Shield of Achilles”

B. The Nature of War

C. War Through the Ages

II. Book I: A Dispute Among Kings

A. The First Word: Wrath

B. Rank and Merit

C. Prestige and Wisdom

D. The Ways of Gods and Men

III. Book VI: The Warrior in the City

A. Diomedes and Glaucus: Friends Among Enemies

B. The Temptations of City Life

C. Helen of Argos

D. Andromache’s Tears

E. Rallying Paris

IV. Books VIII and IX: Battle and Counsel

A. Homeric Simile

B. Retreat to the Ships

C. Arguments for Battle

D. The Argument Against

V. Book XVI: Death and Rescue in Battle

A. Sarpedon, Son of Zeus

B. Aeneas, Son of Aphrodite

C. Patroclus, Friend of Achilles

D. Apollo’s Intervention

E. Death and Spoils

VI. Book XVIII: The Shield of Achilles

A. Achilles’ Sorrow

B. Hephaestus’ World View

C. Weddings and Justice

D. Harvests and Songs

E. The Circle of Dancers

VII. Books XXII and XXIV: Hector’s Death and Funeral

A. Courage and Cowardice

B. The Phantom Brother

C. Piety and Impiety

D. Athena’s Intervention

E. “Die, die!”

F. A Father’s Request