Great commentary. Thanks so much. I was third the way through the Illiad but stopped reading a year back. This is very useful to get back up to speed before carrying on.
I found Aphrodite and her actions to be the most interesting of this book. As a personification of Helen’s lust for the gilded pretty boy, it’s pretty great. And the fact that she’s pretty much disgusted with herself for craving this asshole, and is now conflicted, doesn’t want to want him. She feels guilty that this vanity is the cause of all this death and strife. It’s also interesting to try and interpret Aphrodite sweeping Paris away behind the walls, and his comrades looking for him, that they would give him up in a second for his selfishness. I wonder what is the reader supposed to take this to mean if not literally, does this mean Paris has escaped in a dust up and is hiding? Perhaps, I don’t know. But he has clearly fled. I also found how Priam treats Helen as really interesting character development. Priam is full of wisdom and no hate at all. Just wants peace and life.
i interpreted that as paris ran away because of his love to helen. he could not bear the thought of losing what they have together. aphrodites here is only a personification of the emotion of love.
So happy to have found this channel ! Cant wait to see all the incredible work done over the years .
Great commentary. Thanks so much. I was third the way through the Illiad but stopped reading a year back. This is very useful to get back up to speed before carrying on.
Glad I could help!
very good video. You sound like that one actor, i forget his name
I found Aphrodite and her actions to be the most interesting of this book. As a personification of Helen’s lust for the gilded pretty boy, it’s pretty great. And the fact that she’s pretty much disgusted with herself for craving this asshole, and is now conflicted, doesn’t want to want him. She feels guilty that this vanity is the cause of all this death and strife.
It’s also interesting to try and interpret Aphrodite sweeping Paris away behind the walls, and his comrades looking for him, that they would give him up in a second for his selfishness. I wonder what is the reader supposed to take this to mean if not literally, does this mean Paris has escaped in a dust up and is hiding? Perhaps, I don’t know. But he has clearly fled.
I also found how Priam treats Helen as really interesting character development. Priam is full of wisdom and no hate at all. Just wants peace and life.
i interpreted that as paris ran away because of his love to helen. he could not bear the thought of losing what they have together. aphrodites here is only a personification of the emotion of love.