The Iliad: Book 23 Flashcards
World of the Hero (MSD) (16 cards)
Summary
Achilles holds funeral rites for Patroclus, including the sacrifice of Trojan prisoners.
Patroclus is cremated, and Achilles cuts a lock of hair in mourning.
Funeral games are held, including chariot races, boxing, and wrestling.
The games reflect Greek values of competition and honour.
Achilles shows leadership, distributing prizes and resolving disputes fairly.
What is the narrative structure of Book 23?
It is episodic, structured around a series of funeral contests that reflect key heroic values.
How is language used during the funeral games?
Competitive speeches and vivid descriptions highlight the intensity of rivalry even in honourable settings.
What is the tone of Book 23 and why is it important?
The tone is lighter but reverent, providing catharsis after the grief of Patroclus’ death and Achilles’ rage.
How do funeral games relate to kleos?
The athletic contests give warriors new opportunities to earn kleos through skill and competition.
What does Achilles’ behaviour say about friendship?
His devotion to Patroclus is profound—he hosts the games in his honour and is visited by Patroclus’ ghost.
What does the warrior hierarchy look like in this book?
Honour among peers is shown through competitions, but disputes over fairness and judgement highlight internal tensions.
What do the funeral rites for Patroclus involve?
They include elaborate cremation, ritual sacrifices, and the construction of a burial mound.
How is religion integrated into the funeral games?
The events include prayers, offerings, and dedications to the dead, blending sport with religious duty.
What brutal act follows Patroclus’ cremation?
Achilles sacrifices Trojan prisoners, showing the dark, violent edge of grief and revenge in heroic culture.
How would a Greek audience have viewed Achilles’ sacrifice of Trojan prisoners at Patroclus’ funeral?
They would have found it morally shocking and barbaric—human sacrifice was taboo in Greek culture, associated with uncivilised or foreign practices, and Achilles’ action would signal a dangerous loss of self-control and a break from heroic and religious norms.
How does the competitive tone of the funeral games contrast with their purpose?
Although the games are held to honour Patroclus, they become a stage for rivalry and personal glory, which slightly undermines the grief that originally motivated them.
How does Achilles feel about the competition at Patroclus’ funeral games?
Achilles remains emotionally detached from the prizes, focusing more on honouring Patroclus than on personal status—his grief still dominates.
How does Achilles handle Menelaus’ reaction to the prize distribution in Book 23?
In Book 23, Menelaus feels upset for not receiving the second prize, believing his honor has been insulted. However, in contrast to the aggressive, pride-driven reaction in Book 1, where Agamemnon demands Briseis from Achilles, Achilles graciously offers Menelaus a new prize, demonstrating a more measured approach to leadership and pride.
How does Achilles’ approach to handling pride in Book 23 contrast with his behaviour in Book 1?
In Book 1, Achilles reacts to Agamemnon’s insult by withdrawing from battle out of anger and pride, refusing to fight for the Greeks. In Book 23, despite Menelaus’ pride being hurt over the prize distribution, Achilles responds calmly and offers a new prize, displaying growth in his leadership and willingness to avoid conflict.
What does Achilles’ treatment of Eumelus in the funeral games reveal about his character?
Achilles honours Eumelus despite his loss, recognising that his defeat was caused by the gods. This act reflects Achilles’ growth, showing that he now values merit and fairness over strict competition.
