I have to read the Iliad for homeschool. I keep putting it off because every time I try to read it, I can't keep focused on it. I have to write summaries on the individual books. It has books instead of chapters. I figure if I post summaries on here (as vulgar as they may be in MY version) then it'll keep my attention better. And also, I'll be halfway done with my work. I just have to re-word it.
Right now I'm reading Book 1 of The Iliad. Being that I already know everything that's in the Iliad and the Odyssey, you would think this would be more interesting for me because I LOVE mythology. I also love reading. But I don't have much time...and I REALLY don't wanna pull all-nighters.
So basically, what I've gotten so far is that Achilles has a REALLY bad temper. And him and Agamemnon end up fighting (this is just introducing the conflict). See, Apollo was pissed off at Agamemnon for spurning his priest (I have no clue what "spurning" means, but I know what he did specifically. I'll get to that.) so he sent this "plague". Which caused Achilles and Agamemnon to turn on each other.
What had happened was that Agamemnon had the hots for Chryses' daughter (that's the priest) so he took her. Then Chryses came down to see Agamemnon and he brought like a shitload of money and junk as ransom. He was gonna pay pretty much anything asked of him. But for protection, he brought Apollo's wreathes in case Agamemnon got pissed at him. He came down and begged the entire Achaean army (Agamemnon and his brother Menelaus in particular) for his daughter to be set free and he said he'd pay them anything and he blessed them and he gave them the ransom.
The Achaeans defended him because he was Apollo's priest and so Apollo would be on his side. They asked that Agamemnon just accept the ransom and let the girl go. But Agamemnon didn't want the ransom. And he just started acting like a dick and was like "Don't ever let me see you here again, old man. Don't drag your feet leaving, either. Apollo's staff and wreathes won't save you then. I'm not gonna give up the girl. She'll die in MY house in MY country of old age before that happens. She'll be slaving away at the loom and forced to share my bed. Now leave!! Don't tempt me and you can get out alive."
Sounds like a bad first impression to leave on the parents of the person you have eyes for...it also kinda sounds like he just told the guy "Teehee I'm gonna rape your daughter". Awkward...
Anyways, the priest just had the living crap scared outta him. So he left, and when he got a safe distance away, he started desperately crying out to Apollo (reminds me of my church...sorta). He said "If I ever found favor in your eyes, then hear me right now. Pay the Danaas back- your arrow for my tears."
So Apollo heard him. And he was PISSED. He went into this psycho rage, grabbed his arrows, went down from Olympus, and started shooting his arrows at the ships where Chryses had gone to ask for his daughter back (he wasn't there now, but Agamemnon and his men were). First he was shooting at their mules. Then their dogs. Then at the actual people themselves. He kept going at it night and day. They didn't know when or if it would stop.
It lasted for nine days. On the tenth, Achilles started freaking out and got together all the ranks. He did it on impulse because Hera sent it to him to do cuz she was, like, mortified over what was going on. She was...fond of the Achaeans. "We're gonna get the hell up outta here and go home if we have to. But first, let's ask a prophet and figure out what the crap is going on."
Calchus got up. He was the clearest of all of the "seers" by a LOT. He knew EVERYTHING. He'd been the one to lead the Argive ships to Troy with his powers. He told Achilles that he would explain everything, but that Achilles had to promise him protection because once he explained it, SOMEONE in the audience would be a bit...irked, put lightly.
Achilles promised him that he'd keep him safe and that nobody as long as himself was alive would put their hands on him. "Not even if you mean Agamemnon who thinks he's the best of the Achaeans."
He explained the situation and said that the only way Apollo would stop is if they gave the girl back to her father, NO ransom required, AND carried a sacred hundred bulls to Chryse town.
I don't know what Chryse town is...but since the priest dude's name is Chryses, I'm guessing it's wherever HE'S from.
So, when Calchas finished, he sat back down. Then Agamemnon jumped up and he was all pissy and just...kinda whiney and selfish and childish at the same time. He went off on Calchas first. He accused him of only seeing the bad news. He started pouting pretty much, because he ranked Chryseis (the girl) higher than Clytemnestra (his wife). He said he'd give her back if it would stop the insanity. He said he just wanted to keep his people safe. He also said he wanted a different prize. And straight off. Otherwise he'll just keep her and let them die. He's just a freakin' ray of sunshine, right?
Achilles answered back immediately. He pours on the compliments to get him all buttered up, and then he was like "Well what the crap are WE supposed to give you? I mean, GOD I haven't heard of some random treasure just lying around somewhere that hasn't been unclaimed just waiting for us to go find it to give to you. Every bit of treasure we have has been dispersed among our people evenly. What, do you want us to just go grab it from the people and say 'Oh, sorry, we need this back'? That's ridiculous! Just give them the girl back. We'll figure out a way to pay you back later. Hell, we'll pay you back three or four times over."
But then King Agamemnon shot back immediately. "As brave as you are, you aren't seriously trying to cheat ME are you, Achilles? You won't get past me like that. What do you want? You get to keep your own prze while I sit here with nothing? Is that why you want me to give her back? Nuh uh. If y'all can find something of equal satisfaction for me, then that's cool, I'll give her back. If not, I'll just take yours or Ajax's or Odysseus' prize. I'll take her myself and let the man I take her from choke on their rage. Whatever. We'll talk about this later. Right now, let's go get a ship and some oarsmen and a sacrifice and we'll take Chryseis too. One of the lead captains can command the ship. Ajax, Idomeneus, Odysseus, or you, Achilles, (the most violent man alive) can calm the god yourself."
Just putting this in here...Agamemnon is being a selfish, immature asshole. He sounds like every other man that has ever lead a country (see http://www.iwillnotkeepmythoughtstomyself.blogspot.com/ for my opinion on wars and the death penalty. It's in one entry together).
Anways, Achilles was getting kinda pissed. He told Agamemnon that he's greedy and shameless and he said that he didn't understand how the soldiers could take orders from someone like him. They sit there and happily fight for him and do everything he asks and it's all just friggen peachy. But he himself couldn't do that. He said that the Trojans never did any damage to himself personally. He said that the army had followed Agamemnon to please HIM and fight for HIM and to win HIS honor back.
Then Achilles turns to Menelaus. "And YOU! You don't even CARE! You don't look one way or another, yet right now you're sitting here threatening to take away my prize. Nothing I get is EVER equal to what YOU have. MY side does all the fighting, yes, but then when we divide up the rewards, YOU get the bigger share and I get the leftovers. But I love my prize because I've exhausted myself fighting for it. I'm going back to Phthia. It's WAY better to go home. I'm not gonna stick around waiting on you two hand and foot."
I am claiming myself to be on Achilles' side. Just sayin'. He has REASON and non-bias judgement. He wants what's best for the PEOPLE. Agamemnon is just being selfish and Menelaus is being greedy. I know the names are...difficult. But they're Greek. So...
Agamemnon shot back at Achilles. He was like, "LEAVE by all means if you wanna go home. I'm not gonna ask you to stay. Not on MY account. I don't need you. Plenty of others will take my side and honor me. Zeus above them all. I hate you most of all of the warlords who are loved by the gods. You're so completely engrossed in these stupid wars and bloody gorey battles. What if you ARE a great soldier? That's just a gift you got from a god. Go home if you want. And for those of you who plan to stay, throw it in THEIR faces."
Turning back to Achilles again, "You ARE nothing to me. You and your short temper. But consider yourself warned: since Apollo insists for me to give up Chyseis, I'll send her back in MY ships with MY crew. But I'll be there in person at YOUR tents to take Briseis - YOUR prize. Maybe then you'll realize how much greater I am than you. And the next person who tries to test me, go for it. Strength for strength."
So...I guess that it's a safe bet to assume that when they use the term "prize" in this context, they mean the beautiful women of the places they had conquered. If only the NAMES weren't so tricky...check me out! Making stuff make since...
So anyways, when Agamemnon finally shut up, Achilles realized he had lost his argument and he was somewhere between completely falling apart emotionally (love does that to a person - love for Briseis, his wife) and royally pissed off. Some heads were gonna roll. He went into a rage. He contemplating whipping out his sword right then and just slicing Agamemnon and be done with it. He also thought at the same time he should just let himself calm down. His mind was jumping back and forth between the two.
For those who don't know about Achilles' temper, he killed ALOT of people. He would have random temper tantrums and just kill the people over it. But right now, I'm taking his side because Agamemnon is being a selfish asshole and Achilles is on defense. AND trying to control his temper. But I can't blame him for being pissed. I would be too if someone said they were gonna dump the person they "love" and come steal off the one I love. Who loves ME. On second thought, he should prolly just slice the bitch (bitch = Agamemnon). Saves a lot of time. Plus he keeps his lover. Win win :)
So anyways, he's contemplating this trying to control himself, and then the second he drew out his sword, Athena and Hera haul ass from heaven and jump down in the middle of it.
Hera loved both of the men. Pallas Athena obviously did not.
Athena came up behind Achilles, grabbed him by the hair (not the modern-day little cat-fight grip. She had him by the friggen skull). No one but Achilles could see her (if this was the same Achilles that I think it is, he was part god himself. But not his week spot: his ankle. Read the myth of Achilles' Heal). He spun around, immediately knowing who she was. And she was NOT a happy camper.
Achilles started, like, rambling. Sorta speachless. No surprise. "Why, why now? Why do you come now? To see this insanity that Agamemnon is committing? I'm telling you the truth. I'll make him pay for his arrogance with his life."
Athena told him that she had come to "check his rage". In other words, to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. "Hera rushed me down here. She loves you both. Just as much as the other. Stop fighting!! Don't even THINK about pulling out your sword. Just threaten him. With the consequences of his actions. Besides, I have something to tell you. And I KNOW it's the truth. One day, many rewards will be given to you. To pay 3 times over for his outrage. But right now, you have to remain calm. Back down. Obey both of us."
Achilles immediately submitted. "I have to...if you two command it, you're to be listened to even if a man's heart breaks with rage. He's much better off listening to you. If he obeys, the gods pay closer attention to his prayers." Well OBVIOUSLY since the whole PROBLEM right now is Apollo having listened!! Actually, Phoebus Apollo didn't CAUSE it. Agamemnon did. I should kick his ass...but I will not because he's a book.
So Achilles put his sword away. He listened to Athena. Then she went back to Olympus.
Okay, here's a little background. Athena (Pallas Athena) was born to Zeus alone. He birthed her from his head. That must've been painful...and Apollo (Phoebus Apollo) was her twin. Which, frankly, I don't get how because he was born to Zeus and Leto. Athena had no mother. And Hera hated her. She probably hated Apollo, too, because Zeus was a manwhore.
Hera was his wife. She was the protector of families, particularly the wife. And she herself made it her goal to mercilessly kick the ass of any woman Zeus cheated with. Which were a lot. Even if the woman didn't do it intentionally (like with Perseus. see Clash of the Titans), Hera made it her goal to make her life a living hell. She didn't do that in the movie, but Hollywood poorly portrays a lot of things.
Anyways, in order to get back at Zeus for the way he got Athena, Hera tried to do the same. That's how she got Hephaestus. But he was disfigured. Or deformed. Something like that. And Zeus kicked him out of heaven. But he married one of the goddesses and they were obviously happy together because there's always a reference made to the other any time one is brought up. I can't remember which goddess it was though...it starts with an "A"...Artemis, I think. One of the eternally virgin goddesses.
There were 3 virgin goddesses: Artemis (Diana), Hestia (Vesta), and Pallas Athena. Vesta was the sister of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. Not to be confused with Hera, who was the wife's protector, she herself was the protector of the hearth and home. Now you've got the background. Back to the story.
Wait! I forgot something! Okay, so Zeus is known for being the carrier of the lightning bolt. Well, Athena was his favorite of his children, so he entrusted her with sheild of thunder, and, on some occasions, his lightening bolt as well. Okay, NOW back to the story.
So as soon as Athena was gone, Achilles spun straight back around to Agamemnon. Did not chill out at ALL. He called him a cruel, heartless drunk. "You always HIDE from the battles. You have never fought WITH your men. You don't risk ambush with them. You find it safer and easier to hide out in the camps and take the BIG prizes, then if someone puts you in your place, you revoke THEIR prize. You avoid anywhere that might be dangerous. You're a greedy coward. If it wasn't for Athena, this outrageous thing you do now would've been your last. But this I will swear to you. Someday, you and the rest of your armies are gonna want me back here. But then, Atrides, as much dismay as you'll be in wanting me back, it's gonna suck to be you. Nothing you do will save you. Your hordes of fighters will drop and die. They'll be cut down by Hector." My little insert here: Hector was the Trojans' Achilles. "Then you'll desperately cry out raging at yourself for having disgraced the best of the Achaeans!"
Okay, Imma take a quick sunchip break cuz Harvest Cheddar is the shiz. So, Imma go do that, then I'll come back to this shortly.
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Back! Sorry, that took longer than expected...had to go clean the bathroom. But, yeah, and also it has come to my attention that this entry thing is, like, really long. Sorry about that :/ okay back to the story.
When Achilles had made his oath, he had done it by a scepter. The significance of the scepter was that it was the weapon of which Zeus had commanded them to use. This was an ordinary scepter, but it still had the same significance of it. When he had finished making the oath, he slammed the scepter onto the ground and then took his seat once again. Agamemnon glared at him, but Nestor came between them. Apparently, he was a REALLY good schmoozer.
"No more, please! If you continue, really, really bad stuff is gonna happen to Achaea. The Trojans will be victorious against us! They'd love to hear you two bickering like this. First in the councils, then it'll be in war. Stop. Please. Listen to me! You're both younger than me, and in my day I fought with men who were better than any of you, but they didn't drive me to this extent! I've never seen such men...I never will again."
Then he listed a bunch of names that we don't care about. (For those who wanna know anyway, here's the list: Pirithous, Dryas, Caeneus and Exadius, and Polyphemus [the cyclops, son of Poseidon/Neptune], Theseus [Aegeus' son]) He said that they were the strongest mortals ever bred on earth.
They fought against the strongest, too. Centaurs...wild mountain beasts...they tore them down. "And I ranked the same as them...I came fresh out of Pylos. Far away from my home...they asked for me specifically. I fought on my own, single-handed. No one alive nowadays could've beaten those fighters. But they took to heart what I had to say. So now, YOU listen. Submitting leaves us all better off. Don't take the girl, Agamemnon, powerful as you are. Just leave her. Same as she was given by the Achaeans.
"And you, Achilles, don't hope for the chance to fight against your king. No one can surpass the things given to the king. You know that. Strong as you are, the child of a goddess, he is more powerful because he rules over the kingdom. Atrides, calm yourself. Chill out, man. It's me. I'm begging you, cool your jets against Achilles. He is over all the armies. He's braced for everything war could throw at him."
I'm pretty sure Atrides and Agamemnon are the same person...but I'm not entirely sure yet...okay, I just peeked at the introduction. I don't understand what good it is. All it does is summarize the Iliad itself. It doesn't tell anything about the characters...but I have maps! I'm gonna find some online later, though...
So anyways, Agamemnon who's still havin a hissy fit shoots back "Yeah, old man, everything you just said is true, but he's trying to control EVERYTHING! And there's one I know who won't yeild to HIM. What if the gods made him a spearman? Is he allowed to hurl insults at ME?"
"Yup!" Achilles broke in. I like him. He's a smartass. "I'd be called a worthless, burnt-out coward if I obeyed every friggen order you gave. You can tell the others what to do. Don't command me to do shit. I'll never yeild to you again. And you can take this to heart: I'm not going to war over that girl. For anyone. Ever. You gave her away and now you're trying to take her back! But all the rest is in MY possession. Not one bit of it will you be able to take without my giving it to you. Try to. Do it. That way the men can see the blood from your back gush out around my spear!"
When they were done griping, they pouted back to their ships. Achilles back to his where his friend Patroclus was, and Agamemnon back to his own where he gathered the cattle for the sacrifice, 20 oarsmen, and Chryseis. Odysseus was set as Captain.
Everyone boarded the ships. They launched out into the seas and the troops were told to wash so that they might purify themselves from the plague. They did as they were told and made sacrifices to Apollo.
So, all the men were occupied doing what they were doing. But Agamemnon refused to end his fight with Achilles. He called Talthybius and Eurybates, his two "heralds", which I'm guessing is whoever is next in command under him. His ready and willing assisstants..."Go take Briseis from Achilles' home by the hand and bring her here. If he won't surrender her, I'll do it myself with an army backing me up, and it'll just be worse off for him."
Then he sent them off. They did as he asked, against their will. They saw Achilles sitting outside of his home. And he wasn't particularly fond of the situation when he saw them coming. They were afraid. They stood there speachless - not having spoken a word - but Achilles sensed it. He knew why they were there. And he knew they were afraid. He broke the silence for them.
"Welcome! Come closer. You haven't done me any harm. I don't blame you. No one but Agamemnon. He is the one who sent you for Briseis. Patroclus, bring her out and hand her to them so they can take her back. But they will both be my witnesses. The man is letting his fury get the better of him. He isn't thinking ahead. There'll be a time when the army needs me to save their asses."
Patroclus did what he was told. Briseis went with them, regretting every step...Briseis should kick Agamemnon's ass when she gets there. You don't come between two people who are in love. It's not right. There's a couple other people I'd like to say that to...(read my main blog http://www.allison2433.blogspot.com/ for my poems and to get to know things about the people I'm closest to.)
When they took her, Achilles wept. He went away alone and sat on the beach staring down the waves. Reaching out his arms, he prayed again and again to his mother. "You gave me life...as short as it may be...so at least Zeus should give me honor...but he's giving me nothing...Agamemnon gets everything and now he's disgracing me and taking what all I have left...and he tore away MY prize for himself..."
His mom heard him. She came up from the seas where she was seated with her father and she comforted him. "Honey, don't cry...what's wrong? Why are you so depressed? Please tell me. It's not good to keep things bottled up."
And then he just...poured it all out to her. He asked that she go to Zeus and convince him to let the Trojans become powerful in the war...that they be helped by Zeus. But only to the point where Atrides realizes the mistake he made in disgracing Achilles.
Then Thetis starts bawling (that's his mommy) and she said "Why did I even give birth to you? All I had was doom...you have a short life...and you could sit there and linger by the ships without a grief in the world. But now your life isn't just short, it's filled with heartbreak and dispair...more than any other man and twice as doomed. I bore you to a cruel fate...but I'll ask Zeus as you want me to. But you keep clear of the fighting. Zeus and all the other gods and goddesses with him went to dine with the Aethiopians. But when he comes back to Olympus in 12 days, I'll ask him."
So, then his mom left, and he sat there alone, depressed and sulking. Meanwhile, Odysseus was getting closer to Chryse Island with the sacrifice. Odysseus brought Chryseis to her father while the rest of the crew was preparing the sacrifice. Odysseus explained to Chryses why it was that he was sent and he told him about the sacrifice as well.
Chryses was thrilled, and hugged his daughter and was all happy and junk. So they did the sacrifice and Chryses prayed to Apollo on their behalf and right now everything seems all hunky-dorey except the rat bastard whiney king still has Briseis. Right now it's just giving the gorey details of the sacrifice...something about 5 pronged forks...what does that have to do with anything? Morons.....So then they had a huge feast off of the offering once the sacrifice was made...and they sucked up to Apollo by singing to him and he was all warm and fuzzy inside. Yay.
Bear with me, people, I know this is really long and I apologize for that. But I have to do this so I can make a real summary. This is a rough draft. The real thing is gonna be WAY shorter. I just have to do the rough draft so the book keeps my attention. I'm slightly A.D.D. so I'm easily distracted. But I love books...I'm just a strange person.
So, anyway, they camped out there and when it was morning, they went back to the ship to sail home. Apollo sent a strong-ish wind so they'd get home faster. Then they started singing again. Ya know, if Hollywood got ahold of this, I'd bet they'd turn it into a musical. Damn directors...
Actually, I take that back. Damn the directors that think all movies should be musicals. And damn the ones who think all movies should be 3D. Watch them make a 4th High School Musical now just so they can do it in 3D. I'll do a rant on High School Musical later on my Music/Movies Blog. Which is convenient because this kinda applies to both... Here's the link to that blog (or you could just click it from my profile cuz it's still on this same account) : http://www.musicmoviesblog-allison2433.blogspot.com/
See, now I'm off subject. And you thought I wasn't really A.D.D. I got off topic just by thinking.
So, anyway, they got home and everybody went back to their own ship in their own little shelter place. Like a boat home I guess.
So everything is normal and fine again for everyone else, but Achilles is PISSED still. Like I said, you can't really blame the guy. All he could do at that point was to sit at home being angry and depressed while waiting for himself to be needed in war.
Twelve days later, the immortal gods were on their way home with Zeus leading and Thetis hadn't forgotten the promise she'd made to Achilles. She went up to Olympus and found the "son of Cronus" (I have no clue who that is because Zeus was the son of two Titans. On second thought, that might've been his name.) So Thetis went to him, got on her knees, and begged that he honor Achilles.
So Zeus got all pissed off because if he sided with Thetis, it would put him at war against Hera. If he sided with Hera, it brings further disgrace to Achilles. He decided to grant her the wish, but he wanted her to leave immediately so Hera wouldn't catch them there. Zeus, being the god of oaths, had no choice but to keep his promise. He was the one who punished those that broke their promises because oaths were considered sacred.
So, Thetis left and Zeus went back to his thrown. But Hera already knew everything. She'd seen Thetis making plans with Zeus. So she taunted him.
"So which god were you plotting with this time? It's always pleasing to you to go behind my back and plan things that you know I wouldn't approve of. You never tell me about your plots and schemes. You'd rather do things your own way."
So Zeus was annoyed. "Hera, you don't need to know every single freakin' thought I have. Leave it alone. If there's anything you need to know, I'll tell you before I tell anyone else. But, frankly, it's none of your business. If I have plans besides those that you need to know about, then you need to mind your own business because it doesn't concern you."
Hera was shocked (drama mama). "What are you talking about? I've never pried into your business before. You can scheme all you want to for all I care. But right now...I'm just afraid that Thetis has won you over...that's all. Do you have any clue what you just agreed to? Did you put ANY thought into it whatsoever? This will end badly."
Zeus shot back. "You drive me completely insane; are you aware of that? You're SO insecure and nosey and skeptical and every little thing makes you suspicious. No matter what I say or do, you always wanna know every detail. But what are YOU gonna do about it, even if you were right? Nothing. The only thing you can do is to put more distance between both of us and I'll be even LESS likely to talk to you about this stuff. Which kinda backfires on your part. If your paranoia has served you to be right this time, then SURE maybe it IS my pleasure to go behind your back. Just go sit down and shut up. Obey me, because I'm the most powerful in Olympus. Mess with me, none of the others could protect you when I come to strangle you."
I like him. He's funny.
But now Hera was even MORE shocked and she was terrified. She did what she was told. Which made all of the other gods afraid as well. Hera doesn't take orders. She taunts the one who gives them. Hephaestus got up and tried to comfort his mother, Hera.
"It would really suck if you two had to battle things out by putting the gods into the chaos in defense of mortals. No one can be happy when there's chaos and destruction. Please try to get back on his good side, mom, so that our Father won't turn on us. You know I'm right. What if he decides to blast us from our seats?" It seriously says that last sentence word-for-word in the book. No lie. He continued, "Go back to him, mama, and soothe him with soft words. Then everything will be good again."
He handed her something to drink. "Be patient, mama. I know you're upset, but if you become impatient, I'll have to watch him beat you right in front of me. I'd be crushed because I wouldn't be able to save you. I couldn't fight Zeus. He's too strong. Do you remember the last time I tried to protect you from him? He grabbed me by the foot and threw me from the threshold and I didn't stop falling til the end of the day when I landed in Lemnos. But the nurses took care of me there."
Hera smiled and took the cup. Then he passed around nectar for the rest of the gods and goddesses to drink. Then they were all laughing and happy.
For the rest of the day they feasted and listened to Apollo's lyre and the Muses singing to it.
When the sun went down, they all went to bed.
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