BOOK NINE – The Embassy to Achilles
- What vow did Zeus make to Agamemnon? How did the god indicate his vow?
- What is Achilles doing when Ajax and Odysseus find him?
- What offer does Agamemnon make to Achilles? What does Odysseus add to help persuade Achilles to rejoin the war?
- How does Ajax feel about Achilles refusal?
- How does Achilles feel about Breseis? Who does he compare?
- How does Achilles respond to the offer of marrying Agamemnon’s daughter?
- What is the prophecy given to Achilles by his mother? What are the “two fates”?
- When does Achilles say he will renter the war? On what conditions?
BOOK SIXTEEN – Patroclus Fights and Dies
- What is the state of the war when Patroclus comes to Achilles?
- What does Patroclus propose?
- What condition does Achilles give Patroclus? What is his reason?
- Does Zeus grant Achilles’ prayers?
- What stops Patroclus from taking Troy?
- Who does Patroclus credit with his defeat?
BOOK EIGHTEEN – The Shield of Achilles
- When does Achilles’ mother tell him he will die? How does Achilles respond?
- Why?
- How does Achilles feel about his own death?
- When will Achilles bury Patroclus?
BOOK NINETEEN – The Champion Arms for Battle
- What’s Achilles’ reason for calling a “halt” to his anger?
- What is Agamemnon’s excuse for seizing Briseis?
- Is Agamemnon telling the truth?
- How does Odysseus settle the matter between Achilles and Agamemnon?
- How does Achilles respond to Odysseus’ offer of a feast?
- Does Achilles acknowledge his role in the Acheans losses?
- What does he attribute the turning tide of war?
- What is Briseis’ reaction to Patroclus’ body?
BOOK TWENTY-TWO – The Death of Hector
- What offer does Hector make to Achilles before their battle? What is Achilles’ response? Why?
- Describe Hector’s thought process before he confronts Achilles.
- How does Athena persuade Hector to attack Achilles?
- What request does Hector make before he dies?
- What is his “curse”?
- What happens to Hector’s body?
BOOK TWENTY-FOUR – Achilles and Priam
- Can Achilles choose to break the laws of Zeus?
- How does Achilles treat Hector’s corpse?
- What is Zeus’ decree regarding Hector’s body?
- Is Achilles moved by Priam’s visit? Describe.
Last Updated on March 4, 2018
