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Originally Posted by Hamlet53
So I finished the Iliad up last night. Even though I had been forewarned I was still a bit surprised at how it ended. I had already concluded that there would be no Trojan Horse, nor even the sack of Troy. However I thought that it might end with the death of Achilleus. Instead he is still alive and the war goes on. The last book was also rather anti-climatic.
Once more I was surprised at how childish both gods and men often were. When Achilleus goes on his killing rampage and the various gods join in on opposite sides the gods behave like petulant children. The more so that not only do the Achaians get more gods on there side, but also the only gods of any use. Ares, Aphrodite, and Artemis are not worth much more to the Trojans than getting slapped around by Hera or Athena, and then to go crying back to Zeus. It was sort of unexpected and novel when Achilleus gets into a fight with a river. The Achaians also act like spoiled children and sore losers during the various contests staged as part of the funeral of Patroklos.
Still chapter after chapter it was impossible not to really appreciate the beauty of the prose. Well worth a read, especially with this thread as a source for all sorts of information. Thanks to all!  |
The last book of the Iliad is actually my favourite, showing that humanity in the face of war is, in fact, possible. I cry every time I read it (but then I'm a big suck, so no surprise there
).