Includes bibliographical references (page 288) and indexes.
Contents:
Book 24. Heroic Bonds : Hektor, aidōs and the Wrath of Achilles -- Part I. The Iliad. Introduction: Exploring the Iliad. Layers ; Origins ; Heroes and warfare : recognition and disturbance ; The story ; Warp and weft -- Book 1. The Wrath of Achilles -- Book 2. The Greek and Trojan Forces -- Book 3. Helen in Troy : Paris and Menelaus Fight for Her -- Book 4. Battle is Joined -- Book 5. Diomedes' Day of Pre-eminence -- Book 6. Inside Troy's Citadel : Hecuba, Hektor and Andromache -- Book 7. Hektor's Challenge -- Book 8. The Trojans Attack the Greeks' Final Defences -- Book 9. Agamemnon's Embassy to Beg Achilles to Return to the Fighting -- Book 10. A Night Raid -- Book 11. The Greek Leaders in Last-ditch Fighting -- Book 12. Hektor and Sarpedon Pre-eminent -- Book 13. Menelaus, Odysseus, Ajax and Idomeneus : Epitaphs for their Victims -- Book 14. Among the Gods : Hera Tricks Zeus -- Book 15. Hektor Takes the Fight to the Greek Ships : Patroclus' Distress -- Book 16. Patroclus Fights in Achilles' Armour : Tragic Deaths of Sarpedon and Patroclus -- Book 17. The Fight over Patroclus' Body -- Book 18. Hephaistos Forges Achilles' New Armour -- Book 19. This Time it's Personal : Achilles Re-enters the Battle -- Book 20. Achilles Rages -- Book 21. Achilles is Remorseless : Suppliants and Victims -- Book 22. The Final Battle : Achilles v Hektor -- Book 23. Achilles Arbitrates over Patroclus' Funeral Games -- Book 24. The End of the Story of Achilles' Rage -- Heroic Values, Heroic Psychology -- Heroic Bonds : Hektor, aidōs and the Wrath of Achilles -- Afterword: Others' Stories, Women's Stories : Circe, the Women of Troy, Helen, Calypso...and Dido. Introduction: The Journey Home from War -- Books 1-4. Overview: Waiting for Odysseus. Telemachus and Penelope at home in Ithaca ; Telemachus in Nestor's Palace ; Telemachus at the court of Menelaus and Helen ; Back in Ithaca : the suitors -- Books 5-7. Overview: From Calypso to Phaeacia. Calypso ; Nausicaa ; Odysseus at the court of King Alkinous and Queen Arete ; Who are you? What is your story? -- Book 8. Odysseus and the Divine Bard, Songs of Gods and Trojan War Heroes : the Effect. Responding to the bard -- Books 9-12. Overview: Odysseus' Stories. The Cicones, the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops ; The bag of winds, the Laestrygonian cannibals ; Circe ; The Underworld : revenge and judgment ; The Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis -- Books 13-14. Odysseus Returns to Ithaca : Disguise and Lying Tales ; Odysseus as `master storyteller of grace, order and understanding' ; With Eumaeus the swineherd -- Book 15. Telemachus Returns : the Swineherd's Story -- Book 16. Father and Son -- Book 17. Odysseus at the Hall -- Book 18. Odysseus, Penelope and the Suitors -- Book 19. Odysseus in Disguise Tests the Suitors : Penelope is Intrigued -- Book 20. Odysseus : Testing and Recognition -- Book 21. The Trial of the Bow of Odysseus -- Book 22. Odysseus' Vengeance -- Book 23. Odysseus and Penelope : Recognition and Reunion -- Book 24. Completing Stories -- Afterstories: Agamemnon and Achilles in the Underworld -- Odysseus and Laertes -- Afterword: Others' Stories, Women's Stories : Circe, the Women of Troy, Helen, Calypso...and Dido.
Summary:
"The Iliad dealing with the final stages of the Trojan War and The Odyssey with return and aftermath were central to the Classical Greeks' self-identity and world view. Epic poems attributed to Homer, they underpinned ideas about heroism, masculinity and identity; about glory, sacrifice and the pity of war; about what makes life worth living. From Achilles, Patroclus and Agamemnon in the Greek camp, Hektor, Paris and Helen in Troy's citadel, the drama of the battlefield and the gods looking on, to Odysseus' adventures and vengeful return--Jan Parker here offers the ideal companion to exploring key events, characters and major themes. A book-by-book synopsis and commentary discuss the heroes' relationships, values and psychology and the narratives' shimmering presentation of war, its victims and the challenges of return and reintegration. Essays set the epics in their historical context and trace the key terms; the 'Journey Home from War' continues with 'Afterstories' of both heroes and their women. Whether you've always wanted to go deeper into these extraordinary works or are coming to them for the first time, The Iliad and the Odyssey: The Trojan War, Tragedy and Aftermath will help you understand and enjoy Homer's monumentally important work"--Publisher's description.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.