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Theme & Central Idea
What is the central theme introduced in the opening lines of The Iliad?
A: The destructive consequences of Achilles’ rage.
Footnote: (1) “Rage: Sing, Goddess” – The Muse is invoked to tell the story of Achilles’ wrath.
Theme & Central Idea
How does Achilles’ anger affect the Greek army?
A: It causes immense suffering and loss of life.
Footnote: (3) “Cost the Greeks incalculable pain.”
Character Analysis
Who is described as “godlike” in these lines, and why?
A: Achilles, because of his unmatched strength and heroic status.
Footnote: (7) “Godlike Achilles.”
Character Analysis
Why is Agamemnon called “the Greek warlord”?
A: He is the commander of the Greek forces in the Trojan War.
Footnote: (7) “Agamemnon—the Greek warlord.”
Vocabulary & Meaning
What does “warlord” imply about Agamemnon’s role?
A: He is a dominant and authoritative military leader.
Footnote: (7) “Agamemnon—the Greek warlord.”
Cause & Effect
What event triggers the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles?
A: Apollo sends a plague because Agamemnon dishonored his priest.
Footnote: (12) “So the god struck the Greek camp with plague.”
Cause & Effect
Why does Apollo intervene in the war?
A: He is offended by Agamemnon’s treatment of Chryses, his priest.
Footnote: (11) “Agamemnon had dishonored Chryses.”
Which god is responsible for the plague?
A: Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto.
Footnote: (9) “Apollo, Zeus’ son and Leto’s.”
Structure & Style
Why does Homer begin with an invocation to the Muse?
A: It is a traditional epic convention to seek divine inspiration.
Footnote: (1) “Invocation to the Muse.”
Structure & Style
What tone is established by the phrase “black and murderous”?
A: A dark and violent tone foreshadowing tragedy.
Footnote: (2) “Achilles’ rage, black and murderous.”
Imagery & Figurative Language
What image conveys the dishonor of fallen warriors?
A: Their bodies left as food for dogs and birds.
Footnote: (5) “Left their bodies to rot as feasts for dogs and birds.”
Imagery & Figurative Language
What does “pitched countless souls of heroes into Hades’ dark” suggest?
A: The massive death toll and descent into the underworld.
Footnote: (4) “Hades refers to the underworld.”
Conflict
What type of conflict is introduced in these lines?
A: Both internal (Achilles’ anger) and external (quarrel with Agamemnon).
Footnote: (7) “Clash between Agamemnon and Achilles.”
Conflict
How do the gods influence human conflict?
A: They provoke and escalate disputes among mortals.
Footnote: (8) “Which of the immortals set these two at each other’s throats?”
Vocabulary & Meaning
What does “Muse” refer to in Greek tradition?
A: A goddess who inspires poetry and art.
Footnote: (1) “Invocation to the Muse.”
Which line shows the scale of suffering caused by Achilles’ rage?
A: “Cost the Greeks incalculable pain.”
Footnote: (3) “Immense suffering.”
Which line identifies the initial cause of the plague?
A: “Agamemnon had dishonored Chryses, Apollo’s priest.”
Footnote: (11) “Dishonor leads to divine punishment.”
Theme & Author’s Purpose
Why does Homer emphasize Achilles’ rage at the start of the epic?
A: To establish the central theme of destructive anger and its consequences.
Evidence: “Achilles’ rage, black and murderous.”
Footnote: (2)
Theme & Author’s Purpose
How does the opening invocation reflect the oral tradition of Greek epics?
A: It shows reliance on divine inspiration for storytelling.
Evidence: “Sing, Goddess.”
Footnote: (1)
Character Motivation
Why does Agamemnon refuse Chryses’ ransom?
A: His pride and arrogance lead him to dishonor the priest.
Evidence: “Agamemnon had dishonored Chryses.”
Footnote: (11)
Character Motivation
Why does Agamemnon refuse Chryses’ ransom?
A: His pride and arrogance lead him to dishonor the priest.
Evidence: “Agamemnon had dishonored Chryses.”
Footnote: (11)
Cause & Effect
How does Agamemnon’s insult lead to widespread suffering?
A: It provokes Apollo to send a plague on the Greek army.
Evidence: “So the god struck the Greek camp with plague.”
Footnote: (12)
Cause & Effect
What is the ultimate consequence of Achilles’ rage?
A: Countless deaths and dishonored corpses.
Evidence: “Pitched countless souls of heroes into Hades’ dark.”
Footnote: (4)
Why is Zeus mentioned in the opening lines?
A: To show that all events occur according to divine will.
Evidence: “As Zeus’ will was done.”
Footnote: (6)
Mood
How does the opening mood prepare readers for the epic’s events?
A: It sets a grim and violent atmosphere.
Evidence: “Cost the Greeks incalculable pain.”
Footnote: (3)