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Study Guide

IH 51

Homer: The Iliad  Books 16,  18, 19

The Action:

Book 16:
 

Read the note on page 79, summarizing the plot so far: most importantly, perhaps, Zeus has spoken out.  He utters three prophecies about the fate of Achilles over the course of the Iliad:
  Thetis:
Give the Trojans the upper hand until the Greeks
Grant my son the honor he deserves.

Zeus:
I'll say yes to you by nodding my head,
The ultimate pledge.

1. 540-541, 556-557, pp. 16-17 Hector will not be absent from the war
Until Achilles has risen up from beside his ship
On the day when the fighting for Patroclus' dead body
Reaches its fever pitch by the ships' sterns.
That is divinely decreed. 8.485-489 [not in our edition] So shall they [the Greeks] flee in panic and fall dead among
The hollow ships of Peleus' son Achilles,
Who will send forth his comrade Patroclus,
Whom illustrious Hector will kill with his spear
Before Ilium, after Patroclus himself has killed
Many a youth, among them Sarpedon, my son.
In wrath for Patroclus Achilles will kill Hector. 15.61-69 [not in our edition]


In what important ways has this prophecy changed from Books 1-15?

The Greeks are now thrown back, in defensive mode.  Patroclus is moved, Achilles is not ("They had it coming," 16.19).  Why does he urge Patroclus not to advance too far in battle (16.90-101)?  What do you think of Achilles' wish at 16.102-107, especially when you re-read Zeus' prophecy at 15.61-69?

Ajax is the great defensive hero of the Greek side, stalwart here as he was in 9.641-665.  Here (16.108-130) he retreats, and Achilles becomes more involved and urgent.  The arming of Patroclus is one of four arming-scenes in the Iliad, three of which are found in our edition:  it would be worthwhile to compare this scene (16.135ff.) with the arming of Paris (3.354ff., p. 38) and Achilles (19.379ff, p. 119).

Patroclus saves the Greek ships, pursues Hector, and kills Sarpedon--
 

The Death of Sarpedon:  for special comments on the text, click here;  for comments on the vase-painting of Euphronios, click here. --and then attacks the walls of Troy, where Apollo repels him (735ff), then nearly kills him.  Hector finishes the job.

What happens to the psychology of Patroclus and Hector as the battle progresses?
 

 Book 18:  
Achilles learns of Patroclus' death and grieves (18.23ff.).  We've seen him upset before, over Briseis.  Are his feelings different here?  In what way?

In lines 77-81, Thetis appears to Zeus and tries to console him: "Zeus has granted your prayer."  Logically, Achilles should be happy.  You should be prepared to discuss this moment.

Thetis prepares to arm Achilles (137-154, pp. 105-106).

Note the similes as the Iliad moves to its climax.  Are they different from earlier similes in the work?

Now we jump to the armor being made by the divine metalsmith Hephaestus.  The shield (528-652) is particularly important.  Do the scenes on it have special meaning? 

Book 19:
Achilles receives his armor, ends his "rage," and mourns Patroclus.  At 373 the other Greeks arm themselves; the book ends, 436-453, with a prophecy of Achilles' death.


How does the armor Achilles dons here compare with that in earlier arming scenes (pp. 38, 83)

Words and Names to Remember (use the guide, page 158ff.):
 

Sarpedon
Hephaestus