The Iliad: Book 9 Flashcards
World of the Hero (MSD) (15 cards)
Summary
The Greeks are losing, and Agamemnon offers gifts to Achilles to return.
Odysseus, Phoenix, and Ajax visit Achilles, pleading with him to rejoin the fight.
Achilles refuses, still bitter about the insult.
He values honour over material rewards, and hints he may return home.
Phoenix appeals emotionally, but Achilles remains unmoved.
What structural role does Book 9 play in the Iliad?
It uses a diplomatic appeal rather than combat—a rare narrative change—it represents a dramatic high point.
What rhetorical styles are used in the speeches to Achilles?
Odysseus uses logic, Phoenix appeals emotionally, and Ajax is blunt and direct—showing contrasting persuasive strategies.
How does the language in Book 9 reflect the poem’s oral tradition?
The formal appeals include repeated epithets and formulaic expressions, typical of oral storytelling.
What simile is used to describe Achilles’ emotions?
His heart is described as being “iron”, highlighting his emotional hardness and resolve.
What formulaic language is repeated throughout the embassy?
The language of persuasion is repeated, reinforcing the oral structure and rhetorical focus of the scene.
How does Achilles’ attitude toward timē and kleos shift in Book 9?
This represents a radical change in heroic values as he rejects timē and kleos in favour of inner conviction and personal integrity over traditional honour.
How is Achilles characterised in this book?
He appears introspective, stubborn, and proud, refusing to be swayed even by close companions.
What does Phoenix’s speech reveal about Achilles?
It recalls Achilles’ upbringing, showing a paternal bond and the depth of their relationship.
What key conflict does Book 9 explore in the heroic code?
The conflict between personal pride (Achilles) and social expectations (returning to fight).
How does Ajax represent traditional heroism?
He embodies bravery, loyalty, and duty, urging Achilles to fulfil his warrior role.
What does Agamemnon’s gift offer symbolise?
It reflects the importance of material honour (timē) and public reconciliation through gift-giving.
How is the theme of family and friendship developed in Book 9?
Phoenix’s fatherly role adds emotional weight and highlights the complexity of relationships in the heroic world.
How is Briseis used in the negotiations?
She is treated as a bargaining tool, showing the objectification and lack of agency of women in heroic society.
