Iliad Essay
Themes:
1. The glory of war.
a. The Iliad celebrates war. Competence in battle and willingness to fight determine worth. For example,
Paris doesn’t like to fight, a shortcoming that earns him the scorn of his family and his lover. Achilles wins
eternal glory by explicitly rejecting a long, comfortable life at home. Homer holds up warlike deities such as
Athena for the reader’s admiration. The Iliad doesn’t ignore the realities of war. Men die gruesome deaths;
women become slaves and concubines; a plague decimates the Achean army. Homer tells us that both
armies regret that the war ever began. But despite his objective examination of war, Homer never questions
the legitimacy of the ongoing struggle. In his portrayal, each side has a justifiable reason to fight, and
warfare is a respectable and even glorious way to settle the dispute.
2.
Military Glory over family life
a. Homer admires the bonds of deference and obligation that bind families together, but he reserves his highest
esteem for the pursuit of kleos, the glory people win by performing great deeds. He constantly forces his
characters to choose between their loved ones and the quest for kleos. The most heroic characters
invariably choose kleos. Andromache pleads with Hector not to risk orphaning his son, but Hector knows that
fighting among the front ranks is the only means of “winning [his] father great glory. Achilles debates
returning home to live in ease with his aging father, but he remains at Troy to win glory. Paris, on the other
hand, spends time with Helen rather than fighting. The noblest characters prize honor, bravery, and glory,
willingly choosing them over a long life with those they love.
3.
The brief span of human life and its creation
a. Although the Iliad chronicles a brief period in a long war, it is acutely conscious of the specific ends awaiting
its characters. Priam and all of his children will die. Achilles will meet an early end. Homer makes it clear
that even great men cannot escape death. Indeed, the very greatest may yield to death sooner than their
peers. Similarly, the Iliad repeatedly reminds us that the creations of mortals have a mortality of their own.
The glory of men does not live on in their constructions, institutions, or cities. Troy will fall. The Greek
fortifications will crumble. The impermanence of human life and creation makes it even more important to
achieve glory. Only by living honorably can people find immortality after death, living on in memories of
those who survive them. Even if physical bodies and material creations cannot survive, reputations can.
4.
The primacy of fate
a. Aeneas’ fate is preordained. His various sufferings and glories over the course of the epic merely postpone
his unchangeable destiny. Often, fate is equated with the will of Jupiter (Zeus) the most powerful of the gds. The development of characters in the epic has to do with how eagerly or reluctantly they submit to fate.
Juno and Turnus first fight fate and eventually resign themselves to it, which allows the epic to arrive at its
destined end.
5.
Anger
a.
This emotional response is present in both the Iliad and the Aeneid and is an intricate part of the character
of Achilles, Agamemnon, and Aeneid. It seems to be a necessary response in battle. Achilles in particular
allows his anger to result in the loss of life especially to behavior that doesn’t honor himself or the g-ds.
Aeneid’s response to the battle in the city of Troy overwhelms the rational response he needed to fulfill the
prophecy for his own life.
Symbols:
1. Flames/ Fire
a. Fire symbolizes both destruction and erotic desire or love. Virgil suggests that destruction and love are
connected. For example, Paris’ desire for Helen eventually leads to the fires of the siege of Troy. It is a
“tongue of flame” that encourages Aeneas’s father, Anchises, to agree to leave his beloved city. A chain of
imagery in the Iliad reference fire equating it with anger. Agamemnon is accused of a “burning in his belly”
to illustrate his vengeful nature and “his eyes shone out like licking fire” when responding to Calchas
Thestorides’ explanation for Apollo’s anger.
ASSIGNMENT:
Process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Read the explanations for the themes and symbols found in the Iliad and Aeneid.
Read the academic articles provided in class.
Choose your topic for your essay and create your thesis statement. (Feel free to adjust your thesis as you write)
Remember you are analyzing some aspect of both of these books in the same essay.
We will be using the writing lab to write this paper during class. Be prepared to save your work to a jump drive for
ease of moving from computer lab on any given day as the schedules allows.
Create a planning outline with topics and primary and secondary quotes to support your thesis.
Write your first draft; print it out; bring to class for a peer and teacher evaluation. (Keep this copy to be turned in
with the final essay.)
Completely retype second draft and schedule a writing conference with me to review any questions regarding format,
citations, paragraphing, etc. that you may have. Writing conferences appointments are at 7:45 a.m. MTWF and 3:30
to 4:15 MTW in room 108.
8. Details:
a.
Essay must use MLA formatting: double spaced, arial 12 pt.font, header double spaced upper left-hand corner
consisting of name (first, last) class & period, date (spell out month), assignment: Iliad/Aeneid Essay, 1 inch
margins top and bottom and side to side, page number ½ inch from top even with the far right margin
consisting of your last name a space and page numbers successively numbered from page 1 to the works cited
page.
b.
Works cited page: double spaced, every line after the first line should be indented and each portion of the
citation should be separated by some form of punctuation. See research guide on my blog or on Picasso for
format and information needed. See me if you are confused.
c.
6 Primary Quotes (from the Iliad and Aeneid)
d.
3 Secondary quotes (from Pericles Funeral Speech, 2 Academic essays from class)
e.
Introduction should introduce your essay and include your single pronged thesis statement but no quotes.
f.
Body paragraphs should consist of a topic sentence that elaborates on the thesis and includes primary and
secondary quotes, at least one on each. Concluding sentence should bring a finished feel to the paragraph
and transition, if possible, to the next paragraph. For every quote at least two complex sentences of
commentary or analysis must be included. Please do not use the phrase “This shows that” because it is an
indicator for formulaic writing.
g.
Concluding paragraph should not repeat any words from the introduction but should refer back to the thesis
and intention of the essay without bringing up any new information that would need to be supported with
additional writing.
h.
Please avoid questions (make statements), summary, empty words (thing(s), a lot, a lot, stuff, you, etc.).
i.
If you neglect to schedule a writing conference no revision will be allowed.
Please use the proper turnitin.com class assignment for your proper class period:
Turnitin.com: Join Code: 3917970 Enrollment Password: HWL3rd
Turnitin.com: Join Code: 3917981 Enrollment Password: HWL5th
Check List: The following items must be considered before you turn in your essay.
1. All MLA Formatting elements must be correct. If you don’t know how to format your essay ask while we
work in the writing lab.
2. Double Check that all citations are correctly documented and formatted on your works cited page and
that the works cited page is correctly formatted following MLA formatting requirements.
3. Minimum of 6 Primary quotes are used in the essay and are integrated into a sentence and are properly
documented.
4. Minimum of 3 Secondary quotes are used to support some aspect of your analysis—whether you are
agreeing or using rebuttal to questions an analysis from one of the academic journal articles we’ve read.
5. Introduction is introducing the topic and context of your essay and includes your single pronged thesis
statement that includes a subject and an opinion without any questions.
6. Body paragraphs have topic sentences, elaborate on the single pronged thesis, have 2 complex sentence of
commentary following every primary or secondary source that analyzes the quote based on the topic of
your essay and the needs of your thesis statement, 8 to 9 sentences min., contain transitional words or
phrases that connect the information to the thesis, and a concluding sentence that gives a finished feel to
the entire paragraph and or transitions to the next paragraph if possible.
a. Unity is obtained in an essay when each sentence relates directly to the main idea of the
paragraph. The main idea of the paragraph should be stated in the topic sentence. Like a thesis
statement, a topic sentence acts as a guidepost, making it easy for readers to follow the
paragraph’s discussion.
b. Each body paragraph should be coherent. This occurs if its sentences are smoothly and logically
connected to one another. Coherence can be strengthened in three ways:
i. Repeat key words to carry concepts from one sentence to another and to echo important
terms.
ii. Use pronouns to refer to any key nouns in previous sentences.
iii. Use transitions, words, or expressions that show chronology sequence, cause and effect,
etc.
** These three strategies for connecting sentences—which you can also use to connect paragraphs within an
essay—indicate for your readers the exact relationships among your ideas.
7. Support for your analysis and opinion should includes examples (specific illustrations of a general idea or
concept), reasons (underlying causes or explanations), facts (pieces of information that can be verified or
proved, expert opinions (statements by recognized authorities in a particular field).
8. Each quote is integrated into a sentence and is properly documented and connects to the thesis.
9. Avoided using the phrase “this shows that.”
10. Concluding paragraph should reinforce your thesis and purpose, should be consistent with the rest of your
essay, It should not introduce points you have not discussed earlier and can summarize your essay’s main
idea. Consider concluding your essay by reviewing your key points.
11. Organization: Arranging the material in your essay will determine its ability to convey your ideas
effectively to your reader. Look at the following questions and determine which of the patterns of
development will best suit your essay topic:
a. Exemplification: what are some typical cases or examples?
b. Process: how did it happen? What makes it work?
c. Cause and Effect: Why did it happen? What caused it? What does it cause? What are the effects?
d. Comparison and contrast: How it is like other things? How is it different from other things?
e. Classification and division: What are the parts or types? How can its parts or types be separated or
grouped? Do its parts of types fit into a logical order? Into what categories can its parts or type be
arranged? On what basis can it be categorizes?
12.
Paper should be uploaded to turnitin.com using the proper join code for your
class (see above) and the correct report must be printed and included with your 1st
draft and final draft. If you have a match for zero, I will assume that you have used
the white quotation marks in order to avoid detection of plagiarism and you will
receive a zero on your essay and an administrative write up for cheating.
95—100 SCORE SIX - A six paper is superior. It does ALL OR MOST of the following:
 Focuses and develops ideas in a sustained and compelling manner, showing creativity and insight.
 Makes clear, and convincing defendable inferential connections to the text with important and relevant evidence. Commentary
shows a deep understanding of the piece of literature as a whole.
 Effectively organizes ideas in a clear, logical, detailed, and coherent manner using appropriate structures to enhance the central
idea.
 Demonstrates involvement with the text and speaks purposefully to the audience in an appropriate, individualistic, and engaging
manner.
 Uses multiple sentence structures and word choices effectively and with a sense of control for stylistic effect.
 Commits few, if any, errors in Standard English rules for grammar/usage and mechanics.
 Includes the more than the minimum for all required elements including primary and secondary quotes and they are used insightfully
and clearly connect to the main idea in the essay. And are properly formatted.
90—94 SCORE FIVE -A five paper is distinctly above average. It does ALL OR MOST of the following:
 Focuses and develops ideas in an effective and detailed manner.
 Makes clear, defendable inferential connections to the text with important and relevant evidence. Commentary is provided to
explain the connections to the whole piece of literature.
 Organizes ideas clearly and coherently using structures appropriate to purposes.
 Communicates a sense of commitment to the topic and to the audience's involvement.
 Uses varied sentence structure and word choice effectively.
 Commits few errors in Standard English grammar/usage and mechanics.
 Includes the more than the minimum for all required elements including primary and secondary quotes and they are used insightfully
and clearly connect to the main idea in the essay. And are properly formatted.
80—89 SCORE FOUR - A four paper is adequate. It exhibits ALL OR MOST of the following characteristics:
 Adequately focuses and develops ideas with detail.
 Defends inferential connections with support and clarity, using relevant evidence. Commentary explains inferential connections.
 Organizes ideas in a satisfactory manner with adequate coherence and logic.
 Uses a voice that is appropriate to audience and purpose.
 Uses a variety of sentence structures and word choice, but occasionally displays some wordiness or ineffective diction; sentences
may be predictable.
 Commits some errors in Standard English grammar/usage and mechanics that do not impede meaning; indicates basic understanding
of conventions.
 Includes an above average use of primary and secondary sources that meet the criteria for this assignment. (correct number if not
more) And are properly formatted.
75—79 SCORE THREE -A three paper is inadequate. It is clearly flawed in SOME OR ALL of the following ways:
 Focuses, but may not display mature or well-developed content.
 Attempts inferential claims but position is unclear and/or evidence is brief, tangential or based solely on personal opinion.
Commentary may be present but does not always connect to the claim or evidence.
 Displays minimal organization; contains irrelevancies, digresses, rambles, or lacks logic.
 Lacks sincerity of purpose in the writer’s attempt to involve the audience appropriately.
 Uses sentence structure and word choice that are somewhat limited, simplistic, mundane, or otherwise inappropriate.
 Contains flaws in Standard English rules of grammar/usage and mechanics that do not impede meaning; indicates some consistent
misunderstanding of the conventions.
 Contains the minimum number of quotes required for this assignment and are adequately connected to the thesis. Errors in
formatting may or may not be present.
70—74 SCORE TWO - A two paper is very weak. It reveals serious and persistent problems in communications. It compounds the weaknesses of the 3 paper
in SOME OR ALL of the following ways:
 Lacks focus and development; may list items with little or no supporting detail.
 Inferential claim is unclear or absent; evidence is vague or missing. Commentary may be provided but does not connect to claims or
evidence.
 Contains serious flaws in structure, organization and coherence.
 Attempts, but fails in the writer’s attempt to involve the audience appropriately.
 Uses sentence structure and word choices that are highly limited, simplistic, or otherwise inappropriate.
 Displays consistent violations in Standard English rules of grammar/usage and mechanics that impede understanding.
 Does not use the correct number of quotes or may or may not connect them to the thesis and may or may not have formatting
errors.
60 SCORE ONE - A one paper is extremely weak. It has few redeeming qualities. It at least mentions the topic, but generally fails to communicate with the
reader. It does SOME OR ALL of the following:
 Simply repeats the topic or fails to provide adequate development.
 Fails to establish inferential claims; evidence is not apparent. Commentary is absent.
 Shows almost no structure, organization or coherence.
 Does not address the audience appropriately.
 Uses limited and/or immature sentence structure and word choice.
 Overwhelms the reader with serious violations of Standard English rules grammar/usage and mechanics.
 Does not use the correct number of quotes and may or may not connect them to the thesis. And may or may not have formatting
errors.
An essay that does not meet the criteria for a 1 (60%) will receive a grade of less than 60%.
If no essay is submitted for evaluation then a zero will be recorded for this assignment.