Noga’s Reviews > The Iliad > Status Update

Book 24. I find it poetic and touching that the book ends with Achilles and Priam sharing a meal together, grieving for the people they have lost. In the end, they were both victims of the fate the gods had in store for them. I find it fitting that the book begins with Achilles wrath and ends with him being able to make peace with the enemy. And of course we end with Hector—the hero on the other side.

Book 22. Poor Hector! I knew this was coming but I’m still so sad :(

Book 16. Shit just went down. And it’s about to get a whole lot worse. Poor Hector you don’t know what’s coming to you :( Patroclus you will be missed.

In a way, I think that the reader is put in the position of the all knowing gods when reading the Iliad. Zeus knows that the Greeks will prevail, that Hector will fall at the hands of Achilles, and so do we. While the characters themselves are unaware of their own fate we know what will happen to them in the future but are unable to help or influence the tides of the battle.

Book 15. I found Ajax to be quite inspiring in this potion. I like that he always tries his best to inspire the men to keep on fighting even when things seem desperate and they themselves believe they’re going to die. Fate and destiny are prominent in this book. It’s always referenced that eventually the Greeks will prevail and the Trojans will fall, and it makes me feel sad for Hector and the rest of the Trojans

Book 14. Zeus names all the girls he’s slept with when Hera is trying to deduce him lol

Book 6. God this shit breaks my heart. The scene between Diomedes and Glaucus meeting on opposite sides of the battlefield and putting down their weapons, promising to meet after the war, was a touching display of camaraderie between the soldiers on opposite sides. Also Hector’s meeting with Andromache and his son for possibly the last time was so touching and sad, her begging him not to go and Hector going anyway.