ENGL220 Iliad Books XXI-XXIV
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Transcript of ENGL220 Iliad Books XXI-XXIV
Book XXI
The aristeia of Achilles continues.
He captures twelve young men to be used as sacrifices at Patroclus’ funeral.
He kills the unarmed boy Lykaon, whom he had previously captured and accepted ransom.
He kills many Trojans and dumps their bodies in the river, which angers the river god.
Achilles fights the river
The river god Skamandros attacks Achilles, and battle rages
Hephaestus is sent to set the river on fire and rescue Achilles.
The gods continue fighting
The fight comes to the very gates of Troy
The Trojan Agenor stands firm. He faces Achilles, fights and dies, but this diversion allows the rest of the Trojans to escape into their city.
Book XXII
Priam opens the gates, and the Trojans retreat inside the city
Although his parents plead with him not to go, Hector decides to face Achilles outside the wall of the city
Achilles and Hector Fight
Achilles chases Hector around the walls of Troy
Apollo encourages Hector to fight
Athena helps Achilles
Apollo abandons Hector
Achilles kills Hector
Priam and Hekuba beg Achilles to respect their son’s body
Before Hector dies, he begs to have his body returned to his family. Achilles refuses, instead dragging Hector’s body behind his
chariot
Priam, Hekuba, and Andromache lament the death of Hector.
Book XXIII
Achilles still mourns for Patroclus, who comes to him in a dream and asked to be buried. The pyre is assembled and lit. Achilles drags Hector’s body around the pyre many times.
Finally, the spirit of Patroclos comes to Achilles, asking for his funeral. He wants his bones in the
same urn as Achilles’
Achilles holds funeral games in honor of Patroclus
First is the chariot race, won by Diomedes
Though there is some squabbling about the prizes, Achilles soothes everyone, and even awards a wisdom prize to Nestor
Epeios wins at boxing
Odysseus and Ajax wrestle to a draw
Odysseus wins the foot race
Diomedes and Ajax battle to a draw with spears
Polypoitus wins the shot put
Meriones wins the archery contest
Achilles names Agamemnon best at the javelin without a contest
Book XXIV
Nine days pass.
On each of those days Achilles continues to drag Hector’s body.
Iris is sent to Priam to encourage him to ransom Hector’s body
Priam prepares for this dangerous mission
Hermes is watching over him
Priam supplicates Achilles
Although Achilles is a respected warrior, Priam’s lineage is longer and more impressive
Note Hector’s body under the couch.
Achilles finally agrees to return Hector’s body
A truce is called for Hector’s funeral
Elegiac speeches are given by Andromache, Hekuba
And Helen
The poem ends with the funeral of Hector and the mourning of the Trojans