The Iliad

Honor and Glory (Kleos): Achilles faces a choice between a long, unremarkable life and a brief, glorious one. How does his quest for kleos (glory) influence his decisions throughout the story? Do you believe he makes the right choice? Why or why not?

The Nature of Heroism: How does Homer portray heroism in The Iliad? Compare the heroism of Achilles, Hector, and another warrior you select. Which model of heroism do you find most admirable, and why?

The Role of the Gods: The gods of Olympus often interfere in human affairs. What does their involvement reveal about the relationship between fate, free will, and divine power in the epic's world? Do the gods act fairly?

Wrath and Its Consequences: The epic begins with the word mēnis (wrath/rage). How does Achilles' anger propel the plot forward, and what are its repercussions — for him, his companions, and the Trojans? Is his anger ever justified?

Humanity of the Enemy: Homer pays considerable attention to Trojan characters like Hector and Priam. How does this humanization of the "enemy" influence your understanding of the war? What might Homer be conveying about the nature of conflict?

Grief and Mortality: Both Achilles and Priam endure deep grief. How does the epic address the theme of mortality, and what does the final scene between Achilles and Priam imply about shared human suffering?

Heroism and Honor: Achilles withdraws from battle after a clash over honor with Agamemnon. What does this conflict reveal about the Greek idea of kleos (glory/fame)? How does the quest for personal honor sometimes come into conflict with loyalty to one's community?

The Nature of War: Homer depicts both the glory and the harsh devastation of warfare. How does The Iliad illustrate war as both heroic and tragic? Which scenes or passages powerfully convey this duality?

The Role of the Gods: The Olympian gods often intervene in human affairs, taking sides and shaping outcomes. What does their behavior suggest about the relationship between fate, free will, and divine power in the epic? Do the gods make the human characters more or less relatable?

Humanity of the Enemy: In Book 24, Priam goes to Achilles' tent to plead for Hector's body. How does this scene humanize the Trojans and challenge the notion of a clear moral divide between "us" and "them"? What does Achilles' response reveal about his character development?

Grief and Rage: The epic opens with the word mēnis (rage/wrath). How does Achilles' sorrow over Patroclus reshape his rage throughout the poem? Is his eventual return to battle an act of heroism, vengeance, or something more complex?

Women in the Epic: Characters like Helen, Andromache, Hecuba, and Briseis are often positioned on the fringes of the battlefield. What roles do these women play in the story, and what do their perspectives reveal about the costs of war that male warriors might overlook?