The Iliad
Books 7-10
Group Discussion Questions
1. Ajax is chosen to fight Hector by lot. When many of the Greeks were anxious to volunteer and many feared Hector what does it tell you about the Greeks that they let the choice be made by chance? How does this connect to the Greek belief in fate?
2. Ajax and Hector part with no real victor. Were you disappointed by this? Why do you think Homer decided not to have a clear cut winner in what was set up to be a battle to the death? How do both Hector and Ajax demonstrate honor in this battle? Are you surprised that both are welcomed almost as heroes by their countrymen?
3. Why does Paris continue to refuse to give up Helen even as his fellow soldiers and his leaders call for him to do so? What do you think of his offer to surrender great treasures instead? Is your opinion of Paris changed by his more active role in the fighting?
4. How does Agamemnon attempt to entice Achilles back to the fight? What does this tell you about the state of the battle for the Greeks? Is Achilles’ response noble because he is sticking to his principles, or is it stubborn because he is refusing to help his fellow soldiers, many of whom may die without his help? Explain.
5. What role do the gods play in these three books? Does this do anything to change your assessment of the gods?
6. Motivation for this war seems a bit weak at times. What motivates each of the characters listed below to fight?
- Hector
- Ajax
- Odysseus
- Agamemnon
- Paris
7. What does this tell you about the nature of warfare and about these particular characters?
8. Each group should write three questions for tomorrow’s discussion on index cards and turn them in by the end of the class.