Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part B

"Men and lions make no oaths to each other, 

neither is there any agreement 

between wolves and sheep." Source 

For the second part of my reading, I read Part B of the Iliad. I really enjoyed Hector's character. To me he is that person at school who is super inspirational, like a team captain or some other form of leader. However, even the best leaders can go wrong. When Hector puts on Achilles armor I feel like he is setting a bad example. When Zeus gets mad at this it only reinforces the picture of Zeus being a school principal.

In my Olympus High School whose mascot was the Greeks, when they go up against the opposing school whose mascot will be the Trojan, will each have a god or goddess (faculty member) on their side. Zeus, Hera and Athena support the Greeks while Apollo supports the Trojans. During the second half of the reading Hector is considering his different options, but decides the only thing left to do is to fight. I think this goes with the mentality of high school kids, they often can't see beyond one option.

I chose the quote at the top because it is the perfect representation of the stigma of people and things not like us. The character in my story are fighting and hate each other, because at the base they let their school rivalry get too big. However just like the story, people can put aside their differences for a common good.

This is the slaying of Hector with the help from the gods. Web Source

Bibliography: These notes are based on the reading, "The Iliad" by Homer, remastered by Alfred J. Church.