Plot Summary
(from Albin Lesky, A History of Greek Literature, trans. de Heer & Willis, London: Methuen & Co., 1966, pp. 24-31)
Book I
The first book leads quickly up to the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon. The word mênis ("rage") in the first verse strongly accentuates the central theme: the poem then flashes back to the first cause of the quarrel, the injury done by Agamemnon to the priest of Apollo. From this point it goes forward again in continuous narrative. The commander has incurred Apollo's wrath by failing to restore the captive Chryseis to her father, and the arrows of the god are smiting the host. In the general council Agamemnon cannot but obey the seer's pronouncement: but he compensates himself by taking Briseis, who is Achilles' prize. Thereafter one striking incident follows another: the leaders quarrel, Athene dissuades Achilles from rash action, Achilles swears never to take the field again, Briseis is led away. Achilles calls his mother from the depths of the sea and asks her to obtain from Zeus some gratification of his resentment. Thetis agrees to do so when the gods shall have returned from their twelve day banquet among the Ethiopians. Meanwhile Odysseus has returned Chryseis to her father, who placates the god towards the Greeks. Thetis lays her request before Zeus, who nods assent. His intentions are kept secret from all, including Hera, despite her bitter complaints. It is left for the cupbearer Hephaestus--lame and the butt of everyone's joke--to bring back the laughter that should accompany the feasts of the immortals.
Book VI
The Trojans' danger grows greater. The seer Helenus calls on Hector
and Aeneas to rally the ranks; then he sends Hector into the city, where the
women are to propitiate Athene with offerings and vows. Meanwhile Glaucus and
Diomedes meet on the field of battle, recognize each other as guest‑friends,
and exchange armour ‑ the Lycian's gold against the Argive's bronze. This
encounter in the midst of the fighting serves as an example of knightly
courtesy: it has another function also: to hold up the swift development of the
action in the fifth book and to let us see what is happening in Troy. Hector
hastens to his mother, and the Trojan women fall to their ineffective prayers.
He next looks for Paris, to recall him to the field: he wishes to bid farewell
to his wife and child, but they are not at home. He finds them by the Scaean
gate, to which Andromache's fears have driven her. There is a conversation
between husband and wife, full of love and grief, as if Hector were never more
to return home. Andromache goes back to the house and mourns him as if he were
already dead. Paris now joins Hector, and they return to the battle.
Book VIII
Zeus forbids the gods to take part in the battle, which he surveys from the summit of Ida. The fighting begins with the dawn, and at midday Zeus weighs the lots of the opposing armies: the scales decide for the Trojans. In the varying fortunes of the battle Diomedes remains the mainstay of the Achaeans, while Hector, confident of ultimate victory, is the champion of the Trojans. Hera is obstinate in her determination to break the commands of Zeus: she tries unsuccessfully to persuade Poseidon to intervene in the fighting, and gives fresh courage to Agamemnon, who prevails upon Zeus to spare the hard-pressed Achaean host. Hera tries to help them, but Iris brings her a peremptory command from Zeus. Now the Thunderer himself comes and explains his plan for the future: the next day is to bring even more misfortune to the Greeks, and Hector will remain unchecked until Achilles takes the field in defence of the ships and fighting rages round the corpse of Patroclus. Night ends the still indecisive battle, and Hector camps with his followers on the plain.
Book IX
In his despondency Agamemnon now inclines to the counsel which in
Book II he had proposed only to test reactions - to break off the war and go
home. He is vigorously opposed by Diomedes: in a council of the princes Nestor
suggests an appeal to Achilles. Agamemnon is willing to provide the necessary
gifts for an embassy to Achilles, and Odysseus, Ajax and Phoenix set out to his
tent. They are well received, and make speeches to win him over. Odysseus
speaks with skill and address; Phoenix is more human and emotional, with
well-chosen examples; the speech of Ajax is brief and soldierly. They move
Achilles' feelings, but his resentment still cannot be assuaged: he will fight
when Hector artacks his ships, not before. The ambassadors return with their
bad news, but Diomedes urges all to be calm and confident
Book XXII
Hector remains in the field, despite the prayers of Priam and Hecuba
that he should take refuge in the city. He recalls now how he was thrice warned
by Polydamas and how he led his countrymen to destruction. Achilles approaches,
and he flees from him three times round the walls of the city. Zeus weighs the
fatal lots: that of Hector sinks. Apollo now deserts his favourite, and Athene
checks his flight by appearing in the form of Deiphobus and promising help.
Hector falls at the hand of Achilles. As in his anger, so in his revenge
Achilles knows no bounds. The dying Hector had begged that his body be given
back for burial: Achilles drags the corpse to the ships behind his chariot.
Priam, Hecuba and Andromache break into wild
Book XXIV
The anger and grief of Achilles are far from assuaged. Every day he
drags Hector's body three times round Patroclus' grave. On the twelfth day the
gods intervene. Against the wishes of the gods who hate the Trojans - it is
here that we are first told of the judgment of Parisl as the cause of Hera's
and Athene's hatred - Thetis is sent to Achilles to ask him to return the body
of Hector. Iris persuades Priam to face a visit to the Greek camp. By night he
sets out with rich gifts for the man who slew the noblest of his sons. Achilles
thinks of his own father: both men weep and dismiss their anger and resentment.
The angry and implacable Achilles has learned to open his heart to another's
grief. Priam returns with Hector's body and the promise of an armistice of
twelve days. Andromache, Hecuba and Helen bewail Hector. For nine days the
Trojans gather wood; then Hector's pyre is kindled and his burial mound is
built.