3/10/06 - Classical Literature - Iliad: Books 10-15

a) The seesaw battle: (i) oral hypothesis, (ii) Books 10-15
b) Homeric warfare; similes and other recurrent patterns: (i) history? (ii) typical patterns.

Oral hypothesis. Why is there so much repetition? Homer uses standard epithets (adjective to describe people), e.g. swfit-footed Achilleus, Hera of the ox-eyes. On a wider scale, whole scenes of feasting 9:91-92, 1:460-470. No one questioned this until Wolf, who suggested it was due to the poem being spoken rather than read privately. Therefore the words had to fit into a metrical pattern. Iliad written in hexameter. This compares to Yugoslav bards who told stories to the beat of music. As well as for convenience, the epithets are used for dramatic effect.

So if the story was spoken, how come it was written down?

Least concentration of epithets is in speeches, and in similes. Homeric similes to be extended beyond what is neceessary. See 15:359-366. Used for vividness; to strike the imagination. See 6:506-514.

In book 8 the Achaians surge but Zeus interferes and makes the Trojans stronger due to his promise to honour Achilleus.

Some scholars believe book 10 (night raid) was added later. In book 11 the Greeks are more successful, heroes become wounded. In book 12 the Trojans advance.

The positions of the Achaian ships and their attackers.

Aias, then Odysseus, then Achilleus.

On the advancing side, Asios (crashes through gate), then possibly Paris, then Hektor, then Aeneias, then Sarpedon.

Notice how Aias and Achilleus take the most risky positions while crafty Odysseus takes the safest.

In book 13 Poseidon stabilises the battle. In book 14 Hera seduces Zeus and he falls asleep. Vulnerable Hektor is knocked out. In book 15 Zeus awakens and deals with Poseidon. The see-saw effect gives dramatic effect. Zeus is stable in his decision to favour the Trojans but he is persistently set back by the other gods.

Chariots were not a feature of Greek battles, neither were duels or the shields that Homer describes.

Aristeia - peak of the hero.
Pattern of battle scenes - arming, defeats several opponents in duel, rout (enemies retreat in fear), wounded (but not fatally), help from a god, final duel with worthy opponents, victory. Not each one has to be in place.

E.g. Diomedes, book 4-6; Agamemnon, book 11; Hektor, book 15 (?); Patroklos, book 16; Achilleus, book 18-22.

Problem of variety in action scenes:
Duels: A throws at B and misses, then B strikes A but does not wound, A kills B. Look at 11:230+ and 5:280+.
Two in chariot killed by dismounted warrior. Look at 5:13+ and 5:275+.
List of victories. Look at 7:7+ and 14:511+.
Friend is wounded, then other friend gets revenge.
Taunting speeches. Look at 13:374+ and 14:454+.
Gory wounds. Look at 16:345+.
Similes. Look at 4:482+
Obituaries. Look at 4:482+. These characters are not cannon fodder, they are given biographies, drama of death, not simply celebration of heroes.