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Rage of Achilles – Study Guide
What is a muse and what is its purpose in literature?
A muse is an inspiration for epic poetry. A goddess who speaks through humans.
Why is Apollo angry at the Achaeans (Greeks,) specifically Agamemnon? How does
Agamemnon respond to Apollo’s priest? Do the Achaeans agree with Agamemnon?
The Greeks took Chryseis (the daughter of an Apollonian priest.) She is the prize of
Agamemnon. When the priest wants her back he chastises him and doesn’t return her.
The Achaeans wish to see her returned.
What does Apollo do to the Achaeans for 9 days? Who calls a meeting to bring this to an
end? What happens at this meeting and how does Calchas say they can appease Apollo?
He fires arrows on the beaches of Troy killing countless Greek soldiers. (Arrows or
plague?) Achilles (through the wishes of Hera) calls the meeting and Calchas tells them
that Apollo will only be at peace if they return Chyrseis unharmed with an offering.
Why does Agamemnon refuse to give back Chryseis back? Discuss ego and pride here.
(Hubris: exaggerated pride or self-confidence.)
He can’t be the only warrior to lose his prize. Deflated ego!
What is the ensuing argument between Achilles and Agamemnon like? Focus on the
following things: What do they consider to be a prize and what would be a good return
prize for Agamemnon? What does Achilles threaten to do? How does Agamemnon
respond to Achilles threats of leaving and what is he going to take of Achilles? Once
again think of hubris in all this (Raze: to destroy to the ground.)
Temperamental argument between the two warriors. Women are the prize and he would
need another. I’ll kill you – I will no longer fight for you. Agamemnon says “fine,
leave.”
What is Achilles meaning behind, “Staggering drunk, with your dog’s eyes, your fawn’s
heart! Never once did you arm with the troops and go to battle or risk an ambush packed
with Achae’s picked men.”
Achilles calls him out of shape, as well as a bad fighter. Coward!!! Sat by and watched.
What advice does Nestor give both men? Why is he fit to give advice?
Stop fighting, bad for Greece. Achilles is the best fighter, Agamemnon has Zeus!
Who is “that girl,” that Achilles will never do battle for? What does this mean?
Briseis, the prize of Achilles.
Who does Agamemnon send his two servants for? How does Achilles respond? Is this
surprising? Now, note Achilles emotion in both the way he calls for his mother (Thetis)
and then speaks to her. What is this like?
Briseis, the prize of Achilles. “It’s not your fault, here is the girl.” Cries to his mom.
Starting at the end of line 483, Achilles asks Thetis to do something for him. What is it?
Mom, go to Zeus and have him help us. Zeus owes Thetis because she saved his life.
What do you take from Thetis’s words, “All I bore was doom,” “doomed to a short life,
you have so little time,” and “not only short…doomed twice over?”
Achilles is doomed to die young and bare grief all of his life.
Does Apollo lift the plague? Why?
Yes he does lift the plague. Because Chryseis is returned!!!!
How does Zeus respond to Thetis? Does Hera approve? (Clandestine: marked by, held in,
or conducted with secrecy.)
Achilles and Thetis wish to have Zeus aid the Trojans and the Greeks will die. So that
they (Agamemnon) will realize his mistake and come back to Achilles.
Hera does not approve.
Character List
What are their actions, what are some important qualities about them, who are they
related to, who do they kill, what other names do they go by, etc?
Achilles
He fights for Greece (Agamemnon) but struggles with his captain. Very skilled fighter.
Book I: Let’s his ego get in his way. Decided to stop fighting and asks his mom to have
Zeus help the Trojans so Agamemnon realizes he’s wrong. Questionable relationship
with his prize Briseis. Mostly immortal. Volatile.
Agamemnon
He’s the King of the Greeks (Zeus appoints him.) Book I: Takes Briseis from Achilles.
Chryseis is taken back to her dad so that the plague and arrows stop being rained on the
Greeks. Archenemies to Achilles. Publicly argues with him.
Ajax
Son of Telamon. Second bravest of Greek warriors after Achilles. A giant/ strongest of
the warriors.
Apollo
Son of Zeus. The lord of the Sun and the Archer god. Book I: Shot arrows on the
beaches of Troy for 9 days to get his priest’s daughter back. Also conducted the plague
before the arrows. Looks over Chryses.
Athena (Pallas)
Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare. Book I: Tells Achilles to call the meeting. She also
stops Achilles from killing Agamemnon at Hera’s request. She did not win the apple!
Atreus
Father of Agamemnon and Menelaus.
Briseis
She is the prize given to Achilles and she is taken by Agamemnon. She goes
unwillingly.
Calchas
On oracle or seer. He reads the future through bird watching. Book I: He reads why
Apollo is shooting the arrows and is scared of Agamemnon who is the reason. He
prophesized that Agagamemnon had to kill his daughter. Son of Thesetor.
Chryses
Priest to Apollo. Book I: His daughter is taken by Agamemnon. Prays to Apollo for the
plague and 9 days of arrows. Went to Agamemnon’s ship and begged for her return.
Chryseis
Agamemnon took her from her father and she was returned after much strife and blood
shed. Chryses’ daughter.
Hephaestus
Lame God who was expelled from Olympus. Blacksmith. Book I: Begs his mom not to
fight with Zeus because he will win and it will cause problems with all the other gods.
Hera
Queen of Gods. Grants protection for Agamemnon from Achilles. Doesn’t like Thetis
and Zeus talking. Jealous. She is fond of the Greeks and now Zeus is helping the
Trojans.
Menelaus
Brother of Agamemnon and King of Sparta. Husband of Helen.
Nestor
Orator from Pelos. Gives advice to Achilles and Agamemnon on not fighting anymore
and they don’t listen. Old King and Warrior.
Odysseus
Central character of the Odyssey. Book I: He takes Chryseis to her dad.
Patroclus
Closest friend with Achilles. Protégé. Myrmadon.
Thetis
Mother of Achilles. Sea nymph married to Peleus. Responsible for the invincibility. She
saved his life when the gods were rebelling.
Zeus
King of the Gods. Book I: Gets into an argument with his wife. Agrees to help Thetis/
Achilles by having Trojans win many battles.