Iliad Aristeia Chart – 7th period 2018
Aristeia: a soldier’s highest moment of glory in war, when he fights so bravely and single-mindedly as to experience no fear and to appear nearly invincible
Instructions: Keep track of the aristeias in the epic as we read. Be sure to take note of line numbers so that you may refer back to the text with ease. Read carefully, but be aware that some of the character’s aristeias will be incomplete.
Character: Character: Character: Character:
Agamemnon Hector Patroclus Achilles
1. Divine inspiration/ Strife/Eris (Goddess of Iris (messenger goddess) p. 473 – Hera via Iris exhortation: Who/what Discord) Don’t go into battle until you “To arms – son of Peleus.. inspires the hero’s aristeia? see AG is injured (11.220- Defend Patroclus!” “There Strife took her stand... 225) lashing the fighting fury in each Achaean’s heart…mad Once AG is injured, Hector for war and struggle (11.11- will have the power to kill 16) and kill… 2. Armoring: What does the Pg. 297 p. 500 hero put on, and in what - Greaves Already armed: order? Be detailed! - Breastplate “Hector leapt to ground from - Greaves - Sword his chariot fully armed and - Breastplate - Shield w/ Gorgons brandishing two sharp - Sword - Helmet spears” (11.245) - Massive shield - Two spears - Helmet - Father’s spear (*important because he’s the only one who could wield*) – magic weapon
3. Bursting into the ranks of p. 299 - “And right in the the enemy: How does the midst sprang Agamemnon hero first and killed a fighter…” Counterattack: • demonstrate (11.106ish) p. 525-526 – Asteropaeus enthusiasm for battle? “grazed Achilles’ strong right • wreak great slaughter p. 301 “but him he killed on arm and dark blood on the enemy? the ground, slashing off arms gushed…” BUT, Achilles • deal with with a sword… and always slashed out his life… counterattacks? King Agamemnon whirling to kill… Like devouring fire roaring down onto dead dry timber…”
Counterattack? Iphidamas “went for the waist beneath the breastplate… but failed to pierce the glittering belt, failed flat out (11.267+)”
Counter – AG “hacked his neck with a sword…” 4. Moment of weakness or Coon (brother of Iphidamas) danger: What weakness does the hero exhibit, what danger “Coon marked him… and does he face, or what injury slashed him under the elbow, does he suffer? down the forearm - a glint of metal – the point ripped through his flesh and the lord of fighting men Atrides shuddered” (11.288+) 5. Return to battle and grand duel with an important enemy: Who is the central enemy that the hero faces during his aristeia? What leads to the battle, and what happens during the battle?
6. Slaying of the important enemy with eventual boasting: How does the hero slay the enemy? How does he boast?
7. Conflict over the body of the slain enemy: What happens to the body of the slain enemy? What happens as a result of the slaying? Does this lead to future conflicts?
Things to Consider about the Aristeias: • What differences emerge when you compare the four aristeias? Why causes these differences, and what might they teach us? • Thematically speaking, what does Homer reveal through each of the four aristeias? • How do the aristeias work to enhance the plot of the epic?