HUMA 3103 Lecture Notes - Hector, The Blind Beggar, Iliad
Document Summary
Iliad & odyssey were composed not written; sung and then performed = oral tradition. External evidence: greek writing was lost and re-introduced (800 bc: what did he write the poems on, historical figure, did he even exist, no one knows if it was the same person who composed the two poems. The mycenaeans greeks) (1600-1200 bc; right before dark ages) The predominant use of bronze weapons reflects the bronze age. Iron age was after; iron treated like a commodity, a valuable. The odyssey and iliad reflects the time period they were written. The war was fought over helen (hottest women in greece) They agree to start war to get helen back. The iliad focuses on the last year of the war. Story of one character and the wrath of his anger achilles, and the consequences of his anger. Doesn"t rule over a kingdom, but respected for his abilities.
