The Iliad: Book 18 Flashcards
World of the Hero (MSD) (11 cards)
Summary
Achilles learns of Patroclus’ death, and is overwhelmed by grief.
Thetis promises to get him new armour from Hephaestus.
Hephaestus forges a magnificent shield, depicting the world in detail.
Achilles prepares to rejoin the battle, filled with rage.
The book emphasises his transformation, from passive to wrathful hero.
How does the structure of Book 18 reflect Achilles’ emotional journey?
The structure marks an emotional shift from grief to rage, as Achilles mourns Patroclus and prepares for revenge.
What is the ekphrasis in Book 18 and what does it depict?
The ekphrasis is the detailed description of the Shield of Achilles, which presents a miniature world contrasting peace and war.
What simile is used to describe Achilles’ grief?
Achilles’ lament is compared to a flooding river, symbolising uncontrollable emotional power.
What role do speeches play in Book 18?
Thetis consoles Achilles, and he vows revenge, showing a pivotal moment in his emotional and heroic transformation.
How does Achilles’ menis (wrath) evolve in Book 18?
It transforms from personal grief into destructive rage, reigniting the central theme of menis that drives the epic.
What choice does Achilles make regarding his identity and fate?
He chooses to embrace a short life with eternal kleos, accepting his fate for glory and returning to the heroic path.
What does the Shield of Achilles say about the heroic ideal?
The shield offers a contrast between peaceful and warlike societies, suggesting that peace is rare and heroism thrives in conflict.
What divine role is central to Book 18’s narrative?
Hephaestus crafts Achilles’ new armour, highlighting the importance of divine craftsmanship and favour in heroic life.
How is the bond between Thetis and Achilles shown?
Thetis provides both emotional support and practical help, showing a deep mother-son relationship shaped by fate and grief.
What does the Shield of Achilles symbolise in a broader worldview?
It represents the totality of human life—a city at war and a city at peace, capturing the complexity of existence in the epic world.
