Question

engl 354 classical lit. in translation iup, fall semester 2025 unit 1 integration and learning how to learn: homer, iliad 12 “fighting at the gate”: synopsis and epic similes synopsis from book 9: the same night as the embassy to achilles, the greeks stage a daring “cattle raid” (book 10). in fighting the next day, many greek heroes are wounded and must withdraw (book 11). • 12.1 - 33: prologue: a digression on the camp’s wall, which will be washed away after the war. • 12.34 - 107: hector leads the trojan attack. poulydamas advises dismounting to cross the ditch before the wall, and the trojans split into five divisions. • 12.108 - 94: the trojan asios foolishly charges in his chariot straight at the greek gate, which is open. the greek heroes polypoites and leonteus make a strong stand there. • 12.195 - 250: the trojans see an eagle drop a snake. poulydamas and hector debate the meaning of this sign: poulydamas calls for caution, hector for renewed attack. • 12.251 - 89: as the trojans storm the wall, the aiantes (the two aiases: telamonian aias and aias son of oileus) urge the greeks on. many missiles are thrown by both sides. • 12.290 - 332: sarpedon (leader of the lykian allies of troy) leads glaukos and the lykians against the wall where the greek menestheus is stationed. • 12.333 - 412: menestheus calls for one of the aiantes and the archer teukros. telamonian aias and teukros arrive but cannot stop sarpedon. • 12.413 - 71: the battle is even until hector breaks down the gate and trojans pour in. epic similes of book 12: you fill in the blanks! (all levels) directions: epic similes are extended comparisons that take us away from the action. locate each of the similes below (trigger words are “like / as …, so…”). for each image listed, indicate who or what in the text is being compared to that image. (hint: similes are repetitive.) lines 41 - 50: hounds or huntsmen = __________ bear or lion = ________ lines 131 - 36: two oaks = ________ wind and rain = ________ lines 146 - 53: two wild boars = ________ men and dogs = ________ lines 154 - 61: snowflakes = ________ lines 165 - 72: wasps or bees = ________ bee killers = ________ lines 278 - 89: snowstorm = ________ lines 298 - 308: “hill - kept lion” = ________ herdsmen = ________ lines 417 - 27: two men = ________ boundary line = ________ lines 432 - 38: evenly weighted scales = ________ widow = ________ lines 451 - 54: shepherd = ________ fleece = __________

Explanation:

Epic similes in Iliad are extended comparisons. To fill in the blanks, one must analyze the text to find what is being compared to each image. For example, in epic poetry, warriors might be compared to fierce animals like bears or lions to emphasize their strength. One should closely read the specified lines in Book 12 of the Iliad to identify the correct subjects of comparison.

Answer:

Lines 41 - 50: hounds or huntsmen = Greek warriors; bear or lion = Trojan warriors
Lines 131 - 36: two oaks = Polypoites and Leonteus; wind and rain = Trojan attacks
Lines 146 - 53: two wild boars = Polypoites and Leonteus; men and dogs = Trojan forces
Lines 154 - 61: snowflakes = Trojan missiles
Lines 165 - 72: wasps or bees = Trojan soldiers; bee - killers = Greek warriors
Lines 278 - 89: snowstorm = Trojan onslaught
Lines 298 - 308: “hill - kept lion” = Sarpedon; herdsmen = Greek defenders
Lines 417 - 27: two men = Aianthes; boundary line = Greek defense
Lines 432 - 38: evenly weighted scales = the balance of the battle; widow = a Greek woman whose husband may die in the battle
Lines 451 - 54: shepherd = a Greek leader; fleece = a Greek soldier's armor or a prize of war