- This is the beginning of the Greeks' and Trojans' "longest day." The battle lasts from this book, 11, until book 18.
- Notice the way Homer describes the Achaeans: "There Strife took her stand, raising her high-pitched cry, great and terrible, lashing the fighting fury in each Achaeans' heart--no stopping them now, mad for war and struggle." (11-14)
- The book begins with the aristeia of Agamemnon. (17-187)
- The Achaeans seem to have a rout over the Trojans, but Zeus had commanded that Hector stay out of the battle until Agamemnon is wounded. Then Hector's turn for victory will come. However, Hector's victory is ominously limited: "But soon as a spear or bowshot wounds the king [Agamemnon] and Atrides mounts his chariot once again, then I [Zeus] will hand Hector the power to kill and kill till he cuts his way to the benched ships and the sun sinks and the blessed darkness sweeps across the earth." Therefore, Hector's victory will be for just a half day, and then it will be all over for him.
- When finally Agamemnon takes a hit (295), Hector seizes the battlefield and slays many Achaeans.
- Diomedes is wounded.
- Even Odysseus sustains a wound, although Athena prevents it from being fatal.(515)
The Homeric Simile
- Each book contains similes, but they are especially prevalent in books of battle.
- Similes are ordinarily considered the simplest of figures of speech with the terms of the comparison set out clearly (my love is like a red, red rose). But examine how the Homeric similes operate more complexly, with added details and a well-defined context. Use these as examples: [Discuss Il 11-The Homeric Simile]
- a mauling lion 132
- birth pangs 315
- Odysseus as an injured stag 558
- A frustrated lion 644
- a stubborn ass 656
Does Homer take sides (Discuss Il 11-Does Homer take sides)?
- As you read Homer's description of the battle, do you discern whether he favors the Achaeans or the Trojans?
- What is your evidence?
- From the ships, Achilles observes thr Achaeans losing the battle.
- He calls for Patroclus. Notice the fateful line that introduces Patroclus: "Hearing Achilles, forth he [Patroclus] came from his shelter, striding up like the deathless god of war but from that moment on his doom was sealed." (714) Thus begins the movement toward the final doom of Patroclus and the resolution of the epic 12 books hence.
Cup found by Schliemann, often called the "Cup of Nestor." See line 750.
- Old Nestor speaks at great length with Patroclus.
- Nestor recalls how eagerly Achilles joined the fighters (930).
- Nestor comes up with a plan to have Patroclus enter battle wearing Achilles' armor in order to demoralize the Trojans.
