What Started The Trojan War

1) What started the Trojan War?
The Trojan War was sparked by the abduction of Helen, the wife of Menelaus, by Paris, the
prince of Troy. Helen was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world, and her
abduction was seen as an insult to Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae.
2) What is in medias res? Why does the poem start where it starts?
In medias res is a literary device in which a story begins in the middle of the action. The Iliad
starts in medias res with a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, which sets the stage for
the rest of the poem. This technique is used to create suspense and intrigue, and it also allows
the poet to focus on the most important events of the war.
3) How does the precipitating conflict of the poem (Agamemnon and Achilles) resemble the basis
for the war between the cultures of the Achaians and the Trojans?
The conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles is a microcosm of the broader conflict between
the Achaians and the Trojans. Both conflicts are rooted in pride, greed, and a desire for glory.
Agamemnon's arrogance and abuse of power lead Achilles to withdraw from the war, which
cripples the Achaian army. Similarly, the abduction of Helen by Paris is a symbol of the Trojans'
arrogance and disrespect for the Achaians.
4) Why does Achilles refuse to fight for the majority of the poem? What prompted him to rejoin
the battle?
Achilles refuses to fight for the majority of the poem because he is angry with Agamemnon for
taking away his prize of war, Briseis. Achilles believes that Agamemnon has treated him unfairly,
and he refuses to fight until his honor is restored. Achilles is eventually persuaded to rejoin the
battle after the death of his friend Patroclus.
5) Why does Zeus support the Trojans and why does Hera defend the Achaeans?
Zeus supports the Trojans because they are his favored people. Hera defends the Achaeans
because she is married to Zeus and she is therefore obligated to support them. However, Hera
also has a personal stake in the war, as she is the sister of Poseidon, the god of the sea, who is
also supporting the Achaeans.
6) What is the source of Agamemnon’s power? Why does everyone else follow him despite his
attitude?
Agamemnon's power comes from his position as king of Mycenae. He is the leader of
the Achaian army, and he is expected to be strong, decisive, and just. However, Agamemnon
is often arrogant and self-serving, and he makes many mistakes that cost the Achaians dearly.
Despite his flaws, Agamemnon remains the leader of the Achaians because he is the most
powerful and experienced warrior in their ranks.
7) Athena appears to be a patron deity of both Greeks and Trojans. How does this affect our
understanding of The Iliad, and what does it show about the nature of the gods?
Athena's role as a patron deity of both Greeks and Trojans suggests that the war is not
simply a conflict between good and evil. The gods are not always fair or just, and they often
intervene in human affairs for their own reasons. This complexity makes the Iliad a more
nuanced and interesting story, and it also raises questions about the nature of fate and free
will. What is the role of the gods and goddesses in The Iliad? What role do the gods have
as guardians of justice and morality in the Iliad? Also discuss Aphrodite's influence. The
gods and goddesses play an active role in the Iliad. They intervene in the war, they influence
the decisions of mortal men, and they even determine the outcome of battles. However, the
gods are not always fair or just, and they often act in their own self-interest. Aphrodite's
influence on Paris and Helen is a prime example of this. She helps Paris to abduct Helen, and
she later helps him to escape from Menelaus. Aphrodite's actions are driven by her own
desires, not by a sense of justice or morality.
11) What is the importance of family and lineage for heroes? Family and lineage are very important
to the heroes of the Iliad. They are proud of their ancestry, and they believe that they have inherited
the virtues of their forefathers. The heroes of the Iliad are also fiercely loyal to their families, and
they are willing to sacrifice everything for their loved ones. 12) How does the aristeia of Diomedes
show the nature of the hero and his limits? How does the aristeia of Patroclus compare/contrast with
those of Diomedes and Agamemnon? How does Patroclus lose his own identity? Diomedes' aristeia
shows that he is a great warrior who is capable of great feats of strength and courage. However, he is
also shown to be arrogant and reckless, and he eventually loses favor with the gods. Patroclus'
aristeia is similar to Diomedes' in some ways, but it is also different in some important respects.
Patroclus is not as skilled a warrior as Diomedes, but he is more compassionate and selfless. He is
also more loyal to Achilles, and he is willing to sacrifice everything for his friend. Patroclus
ultimately loses his own identity when he puts on Achilles' armor and goes into battle. He becomes
so focused on defeating Hector that he forgets who he is, and he is eventually killed. 13) What is
hubris and how does that apply to Achilles? Hubris is excessive pride or self-confidence. Achilles is
the most prideful hero in the Iliad, and his hubris ultimately leads to his downfall. Achilles believes
that he is better than everyone else, and he refuses to follow orders or respect authority. He is also
quick to anger, and he often lashes out at those who he believes have wronged him. Achilles' hubris
is ultimately his undoing, and he is killed by Paris with an arrow guided by Apollo.

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