Why is the Iliad so good?

Why is the Iliad so good?

The Iliad is the archetypal war story, and at the same time it is an anti-war story. It shows us the heroism and also the tragedy and senselessness of war. It is the prototype of all wars and all war stories. It puts human faces to the struggle and the suffering.

How long does the Odyssey take to read?

6 hours and 54 minutes

What did the lotus eaters do to Odysseus?

A storm sent by Zeus sweeps them along for nine days before bringing them to the land of the Lotus-eaters, where the natives give some of Odysseus’s men the intoxicating fruit of the lotus. As soon as they eat this fruit, they lose all thoughts of home and long for nothing more than to stay there eating more fruit.

What is the lesson of the Lotus Eaters?

No doubt, Odysseus learns that some of his men are weak. They would rather live in the land of the Lotus-Eaters than to return home. This is a lesson for Odysseus. His men are not as loyal as he once thought.

Who is Odysseus best friend?

odysseus’ best friend
Odysseus’ “best friend”
ARGOS
Friend of Odysseus
MENTOR

What’s the moral of Odysseus?

The moral values in the story include loyalty, compassion, self-control and perseverance. Each one has a tale or two associated with it. Loyalty is an important moral value in The Odyssey because Odysseus is devoted to his family. He is determined to return home to his wife despite all of the obstacles in his way.

What lessons does Odysseus learn?

The book is also about the hardest lessons some men ever learn: self-control, trust and surrender. For example, Odysseus has to disguise himself as a beggar and endure humiliation once he returns to his homeland in order to size up the situation there and plot his revenge on Penelope’s rapacious suitors.

What is the point of the Iliad?

Unlike famous Disney movies, which were shared for entertainment purposes, The Iliad was shared for the purpose of maintaining a historical account of the Greeks and Trojans during the Bronze Age.

How does the Odyssey relate to life today?

One of the significant ways the Odyssey is relevant to the modern day is through its examination of mortality, as through this we can see how the text teaches us to respect the dead, but also how in turn the text suggests we live our lives. This is achieved mainly through the use of spirits of the dead in Book 11.

Is the Iliad fun to read?

Once you get the hang of the style, it’s pretty fun. At that point you may as well just read a summary. I agree with the others about starting with the Odyssey, it is a much easier read I feel. When you’re ready for the Iliad I recommend the Robert Fagels translation.