Homer Iliad Summary Book- 1 |
Homer Iliad Summary Book- 1 The story begins nine years after the war began. In the tenth year of the Trojan War, Achilles, the greatest fighter for the Achilles (Greeks and their allies), is furious. King Agamemnon, who leads Achilles, has refused to deliver a woman, Chryses by bringing the disease on the army, which he had recently seized as a prize in a fight. A crisis is the daughter of a priest of the god Apollo.
When Agamemnon refuses to give him back in return for a ransom, his father calls the deity, and Apollo sends a plague. In Greek wrath is 'Menin' and that is the first word in the Epic. It strikes the keynote.
Agamemnon and Achilles, are the two great heroes. They are extremely jealous of each other. Their cause of the fight is the same. It is to recover the beautiful woman, who has been taken captive in the battle. But Apollo and Diana are extremely angry. A terrible pestilence begins to rage in Greek camps. In their dive distress.
The Greeks appeal to their Soothsayer Calchas To ascertain the cause of the anger of Apollo and Diana. Calchas says that he can account for the divine displeasure. He, however, hesitates, lest the revelation might anger the offender protection is offered by Achilles and he offers to reveal the truth.
Calchas assured that Gods are displeased with Agamemnon the chief of the Greeks . For in a recent raid, he has taken for himself a maiden named Chryseis, daughter of Chryses the priest of Appolo. Chryses has offered Agamemnon, a handsome ransom but to no purpose.
Summary of Homer Iliad book-1
He addresses Agamemnon a shameless creature, who has all along enjoyed the lion's share of the body. He decides to go back home. Agamemnon refuses to budge an inch and insists on having Briseis. Achilles is allowed to go wherever he wants to go. Achilles is deeply humiliated and is on the point of drawing his spear. when Pallas Athene intervenes and prevents the strike.
Visible only to Achilles, Athene pacifies the hero and assures him that he will be revenged in due course. Agamemnon and Achilles . look sullen when Nestor, universally respected rebukes them mildly Nestor is respected for his age and wisdom. Achilles leaves the council in Savage silence, accompanied by his friend Patroclus.
Agamemnon sends back Chryseis to her father with presents. The gods are pleased and the pestilence Comes to an end. Not a person to let things lying down Agamemnon ask messengers - Eury Bait and Talthybius to bring Briseis from the tent of Achilles. Some messengers are received cordially and enjoy special Sanctity.
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Agamemnon is dressed in brief authority and has gone so far as to direct the messenger to tell Achilles that if he does not send the girl. he will go there himself to take her by force. Achilles requests Patroclus to bring Briseis and place her in their custody. But very quietly he murmurs his oath that he will not extend his helping hand to Agamemnon in his hour of need. There are tears in Achilles' eyes for she has found in him a loving lord.
Achilles shed a lot of tears at his humiliation. He cries in the presence of his mother, Thetis, who is none other than the goddess. She comes to her son, soothes him with tender şolitude and wants to know why he is so distraught. He narrates the story of his humiliation.
She caresses and gives him assurance that she will take up the matter with Jupiter, and requests him to the Trojans' victory for a short while, so that the Greeks may realize their folly and appreciate how indispensable Achilles is. Thetis goes to Jupiter and appeals to him on her son's behalf. Jupiter, always indulgent, readily grants her prayer.
He is quite aware of the fact that his wife, Juno, is a warm advocate of the Greeks, and will create difficulties. And she actually does. Jupiter is a stem ruler and asks her to be silent. Nuclear, the son of Jupiter and Juno intercedes and tells Juno that there is no point in disturbing the peace of Olympus for one or two individuals on the earth. He then serves drinks to the Olympians, and the cloud of domestic quarrel is lifted.
Critical evaluation of book - one
The entire action moves around the wrath of Achilles, the greatest hero of Achilles. Homer closes the Epic to a close when Achilles', wrath is subdued. The quarrel between the hero and the king over a woman does not appear dignified. It was an age when finer sentiments were yet to be developed.Both Agamemnon and Achilles suffer from the chastisements Hubris i.e. pride and egotism. They feel that their honour is at stake and they must pay any price to justify their honour. They feel a threat to their honour. The heroes of that age set their life at a pin's fee, and preferred death to ignominy and dishonour. Yet there was a reverence for authority. That is why Achilles with all his force and pride and impetuosity hesitated before hurling the spear at the king, who is the cause of his dishonour.
Book one sheds light on some of the Greek heroes in general and Achilles in particular. Achilles has no respect for persons and he is savage. And he knows that he towers head and shoulders above his competitors That is why he extends protection to, Calchas the Sooth- sayer and tells him that he can speak his mind freely.
Homer The Iliad
He flares up and is about to strike the king. As the messenger comes to Achilles' tent to take away Briseis at the agreement's behest, his behaviour is friendly. The tender aspect of his character is further revealed as the maiden leaves him. Brises is only spoiled of war, and yet she goes away reluctantly for she has found in Achilles a generous manner.
Achilles weeps, but not for the loss of woman, but the loss of honour. Achilles is a typical product of the heroic age and does not know how to hide his feelings. In this respect, he is quite simple and naive. Before his mother, he is a completely helpless child. The mother applies a caress and consoles the aching heart of her son who has suffered indignity.
The Olympian gods and goddesses are not like Tennyson's gods, 'careless of mankind'. Their main interest lies in mortals and even intervene and wire-pull them. Pallas Athene comes, invisible, to Achilles and prevents strife. He appeals to Jupiter to avenge the indignity hurled upon her son. The gods and goddesses are anthropomorphic.
They have all the traits and even the vices of a mortal. Jupiter's love affairs can form an epic. They are voracious eaters and are addicted to drinks. They love music and there are gods to entertain them. In certain respects, they appear less heroic and nobler than the mortals. They seem to govern the destiny of mortals. They are passionate, often vulgar, and even very god-fearing people, their conduct is at times to be criticized.
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