The Iliad: Book 1 Flashcards
World of the Hero (MSD)
Plot Summary
The first book of The Iliad, The Plague and Wrath, establishes the central tensions of the epic. It opens with an invocation to the Muse, asking for inspiration to tell the story of Achilles’ destructive anger (mēnis) and its far-reaching consequences for the Greek (Achaean) army.
The plague strikes the Greeks
Chryses, a Trojan priest of Apollo, approaches the Greek camp, offering a ransom for the return of his daughter, Chryseis, who has been taken by Agamemnon. When Agamemnon arrogantly refuses and insults Chryses, the priest prays to Apollo for revenge. Apollo responds by sending a plague upon the Greek army, killing many soldiers over nine days.
The Assembly and the Quarrel
Achilles convenes an assembly to address the crisis. The prophet Calchas reveals that the plague will only cease if Agamemnon returns Chryseis to her father without compensation. Furious, Agamemnon reluctantly agrees but demands another prize as compensation for his loss, declaring he will take it by force if necessary.
Achilles’ Outrage
Achilles publicly accuses Agamemnon of greed and incompetence, calling him a “shameless schemer.” In retaliation, Agamemnon seizes Briseis, Achilles’ own war prize. Humiliated and enraged, Achilles withdraws from the fighting and refuses to aid the Greeks further.
Achilles’ Prayer to Thetis
Achilles appeals to his mother, the sea goddess Thetis, to help him restore his honor. He asks her to persuade Zeus to favor the Trojans, ensuring the Greeks suffer in his absence.
Zeus Grants Thetis’ Request
Thetis ascends to Olympus and pleads with Zeus. Reluctantly, he agrees, despite fearing Hera’s anger, as this decision will shift the balance of the war in favor of the Trojans.
Achilles
The greatest Greek warrior, driven by a deep sense of personal honor and pride. His wrath is central to the narrative.
Agamemnon
The Greek leader whose arrogance and desire for dominance cause internal conflict among the Greeks.
Chryses
A Trojan priest of Apollo, whose plea for his daughter’s return ignites the conflict.
Apollo
The god of plague and healing, who punishes the Greeks for disrespecting his priest.
Thetis
Achilles’ mother; petitions Zeus to support the Trojans after her son is disrespected
Zeus
The king of the gods, who reluctantly agrees to Thetis’ request, shifting the war’s trajectory.
Calchas
Prophet who explains that Agamemnon has disrespected Apollo by not returning Chryseis to her father
Chryseis
Daughter of Chryses, Agamemnon’s prize
Briseis
Achilles’ prize, taken by Agamemnon
Hera
Supports the Greeks, checks Achilles’ fury alongside Athena
Theme 1 - Menis (wrath, anger)
Achilles’ anger is mentioned first in the proem and is the driving force behind the action, affecting not only himself but his allies.
Theme 2 -Timê (honour)
Achilles and Agamemnon’s quarrel is fuelled by a deep concern for personal honour, illustrating the heroic code of the time.
Theme 3 - Kleos (everlasting glory)
Achilles is destined to live a short life, putting him under more pressure to achieve his kleos.
Theme 4 - Divine Intevention
The gods play an integral role in human affairs, highlighting the interplay between mortal agency and divine will.The gods intervene in human affairs and pick sides.
Apollo starts the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon; Athena checks Achilles’ anger, supported by Hera; Thetis petitions Zeus to support the Trojans.
The gods are anthropomorphised and display many human characteristics such as jealousy, vengeance and selfishness. For example, Athena and Hera still bear a grudge against Paris for choosing Aphrodite in the golden apple contest.
Theme 5 - Fate and mortality
Achilles’ decisions are shadowed by his awareness of his mortality and knowing he will die young, adding a tragic dimension to his choices.
Theme 6 - Leadership and Responsibility
Agamemnon’s failure to lead effectively contrasts with Achilles’ principled, though stubborn, withdrawal.
Epic Similes
Homer uses extended comparisons to create vivid imagery, such as describing Apollo’s wrathful approach as akin to a descending storm.
Symbolism
The plague serves as a symbol of divine anger and the consequences of hubris.
Foreshadowing
Achilles’ withdrawal sets the stage for Greek suffering and his eventual return to battle, shaping the narrative arc.
Repetition and Epithets
Stock phrases like “swift-footed Achilles” or “lord of men, Agamemnon” reinforce character traits and aid memorability in oral recitation.
Contrast and Irony
Agamemnon’s assertion of authority ironically weakens Greek unity, and Achilles’ bid for honor through withdrawal ultimately harms the Achaeans.
Speeches
Allow characters to express emotion and reveal more about them; heroes are articulate.
Homer raises moral questions in speeches e.g. Agamemnon’s share of prizes
The reader can make their own decision about characters without the narrator’s input
Achilles, Agamemnon and Nestor all make speeches in Book 1
Patronymics
A name derived from the name of a father or ancestor
Eg: ‘Son of Atreus’ (Agamemnon/Menelaus)
‘Son of Peleus’ (Achilles)
‘Apollo son of Zeus’
“Sing, Muse, the anger of Achilles…”
The opening line underscores the centrality of Achilles’ wrath and its catastrophic consequences for the Greeks.
“Your greed and your arrogance will be the ruin of us all!” (Achilles to Agamemnon)
This captures the core conflict of leadership and personal pride, as Achilles critiques Agamemnon’s selfishness.
“Apollo came down from Olympus with his bow and quiver slung across his shoulders, and the arrows rattled on his back.”
Homer’s vivid imagery of Apollo personifies divine anger and sets an ominous tone.
“Grant the Trojans victory until the Greeks give my son the honor he deserves.” (Thetis to Zeus)
This plea reflects the theme of vengeance and divine influence, highlighting Achilles’ sense of wounded pride.
“Agamemnon… You shameless schemer!”
Achilles’ insult reveals his disdain for Agamemnon’s leadership and encapsulates their antagonistic dynamic.
Achilles’ rage
“Anger – sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that accursed anger”
Apollo is responsible for the conflict
“It was Apollo…who started the feud”
In depriving Achilles of his legitimately-won prize, Agamemnon undermines the heroic code of honour (timê).
“And now comes this threat from you…to rob me of my prize…my hard-earned prize”
“I can see no point in staying here to be insulted”
I will come in person to your hut and take away fair-cheeked Briseis, your prize, Achilles, to let you know how far I am your superior”
The gods are a serious and mighty presence
“Phoebus Apollo…came down in fury from the heights of Olympus…and his descent was like nightfall”
“I came from the skies to cool your fury” (Athena)
But they also provide some comic relief – Zeus and Hera’s bickering is a lighter parallel to the grave quarrel in the Greek camp
“This is going to mean trouble! You will make me fall foul of my wife Hera…”
“It will be impossible to enjoy a good feast with so much trouble in the air” (Hephaestus)
“A fit of helpless laughter seized the blessed gods”
Summarisation
The Plague and Wrath establishes the epic’s emotional and thematic foundation. The clash between Achilles and Agamemnon illustrates the destructive power of pride and rage. Through the use of evocative imagery, divine intervention, and sharp dialogue, Homer crafts a rich narrative that explores leadership, honor, and the interplay between mortals and gods. This opening book sets the tone for the tragedies and conflicts that follow.
