The Iliad: Book 1

Question 1

Plot Summary

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

The plague strikes the Greeks

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

The Assembly and the Quarrel

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Achilles’ Outrage

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Achilles’ Prayer to Thetis

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Zeus Grants Thetis’ Request

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Achilles

Answer 7

The greatest Greek warrior, driven by a deep sense of personal honor and pride. His wrath is central to the narrative.

Question 8

Agamemnon

Answer 8

The Greek leader whose arrogance and desire for dominance cause internal conflict among the Greeks.

Question 9

Chryses

Answer 9

A Trojan priest of Apollo, whose plea for his daughter’s return ignites the conflict.

Question 10

Apollo

Answer 10

The god of plague and healing, who punishes the Greeks for disrespecting his priest.

Question 11

Thetis

Answer 11

Achilles’ mother; petitions Zeus to support the Trojans after her son is disrespected

Question 12

Zeus

Answer 12

The king of the gods, who reluctantly agrees to Thetis’ request, shifting the war’s trajectory.

Question 13

Calchas

Answer 13

Prophet who explains that Agamemnon has disrespected Apollo by not returning Chryseis to her father

Question 14

Chryseis

Answer 14

Daughter of Chryses, Agamemnon’s prize

Question 15

Briseis

Answer 15

Achilles’ prize, taken by Agamemnon

Question 16

Hera

Answer 16

Supports the Greeks, checks Achilles’ fury alongside Athena

Question 17

Theme 1 - Menis (wrath, anger)

Answer 17

Achilles’ anger is mentioned first in the proem and is the driving force behind the action, affecting not only himself but his allies.

Question 18

Theme 2 -Timê (honour)

Answer 18

Achilles and Agamemnon’s quarrel is fuelled by a deep concern for personal honour, illustrating the heroic code of the time.

Question 19

Theme 3 - Kleos (everlasting glory)

Answer 19

Achilles is destined to live a short life, putting him under more pressure to achieve his kleos.

Question 20

Theme 4 - Divine Intevention

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Theme 5 - Fate and mortality

Answer 21

Achilles’ decisions are shadowed by his awareness of his mortality and knowing he will die young, adding a tragic dimension to his choices.

Question 22

Theme 6 - Leadership and Responsibility

Answer 22

Agamemnon’s failure to lead effectively contrasts with Achilles’ principled, though stubborn, withdrawal.

Question 23

Epic Similes

Answer 23

Homer uses extended comparisons to create vivid imagery, such as describing Apollo’s wrathful approach as akin to a descending storm.

Question 24

Symbolism

Answer 24

The plague serves as a symbol of divine anger and the consequences of hubris.

Question 25

Foreshadowing

Answer 25

Achilles’ withdrawal sets the stage for Greek suffering and his eventual return to battle, shaping the narrative arc.

Question 26

Repetition and Epithets

Answer 26

Stock phrases like “swift-footed Achilles” or “lord of men, Agamemnon” reinforce character traits and aid memorability in oral recitation.

Question 27

Contrast and Irony

Answer 27

Agamemnon’s assertion of authority ironically weakens Greek unity, and Achilles’ bid for honor through withdrawal ultimately harms the Achaeans.

Question 28

Speeches

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Patronymics

Answer 29

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’

Question 30

“Sing, Muse, the anger of Achilles…”

Answer 30

The opening line underscores the centrality of Achilles’ wrath and its catastrophic consequences for the Greeks.

Question 31

“Your greed and your arrogance will be the ruin of us all!” (Achilles to Agamemnon)

Answer 31

This captures the core conflict of leadership and personal pride, as Achilles critiques Agamemnon’s selfishness.

Question 32

“Apollo came down from Olympus with his bow and quiver slung across his shoulders, and the arrows rattled on his back.”

Answer 32

Homer’s vivid imagery of Apollo personifies divine anger and sets an ominous tone.

Question 33

“Grant the Trojans victory until the Greeks give my son the honor he deserves.” (Thetis to Zeus)

Answer 33

This plea reflects the theme of vengeance and divine influence, highlighting Achilles’ sense of wounded pride.

Question 34

“Agamemnon… You shameless schemer!”

Answer 34

Achilles’ insult reveals his disdain for Agamemnon’s leadership and encapsulates their antagonistic dynamic.

Question 35

Achilles’ rage

Answer 35

“Anger – sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that accursed anger”

Question 36

Apollo is responsible for the conflict

Answer 36

“It was Apollo…who started the feud”

Question 37

In depriving Achilles of his legitimately-won prize, Agamemnon undermines the heroic code of honour (timê).

Answer 37

“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”

Question 38

The gods are a serious and mighty presence

Answer 38

“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)

Question 39

But they also provide some comic relief – Zeus and Hera’s bickering is a lighter parallel to the grave quarrel in the Greek camp

Answer 39

“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”

Question 40

Summarisation

Answer 40

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.