Part 1:Students will perform the following task:
The following is a quote from Homer's Iliad -
"It is not to weaklings the great risks [of war] will yield.We all have to die down here. Why squat scared in the shade? Why stew away old age in obscurity, owning not a single thing that is fine?"
For this discussion forum, first read Books 1 - 4 ofIliad(the link to the text -- "Chicago Homer" -- may be found in Module 4 of the Module Readings section); then tell me in this discussion forum, in approximately 500 words, and using quotes from Homer's text:
What is the nature of Achilles' "great risk," what is the "risk" that, if he avoids it, will leave him to "stew away..in obscurity.. owning not a single thing that is fine," i.e., owning not single bit of "kleos aphthiton," imperishable glory?
(appx. 500 words; and please use quotes from Homer or from any onlinesourceto support your response. Note that your first essay will be about this topic.)
(Hints: For your response, keep in mind that the word "obscurity" in Greek is the very opposite of the the word "imperishability" which we have beentreating all semester; also keep in mind the plot, and that Achilles only has one action to fulfill, one "ideal" to fulfill.What is it? What is the importance of Achilles' mother's advice to her son? What role does it play in the fulfillment of kleos aphthiton, 'imperishable glory,' i.e., the presence of "glory" in her son and consequently the presence of "glory" in the society?Also remember that there is no one single right answer; but rather there as many right ways of answering rightly as there are humans in the world.)
homer book1
https://homer.library.northwestern.edu/
https://wiki.digitalclassicist.org/Chicago_Homer