B2, Unit 7: Trojian war (Quotes from Iliad)
Since Unit 7 talks about Trojian war, I found some quotes from Iliad to share with the students to show how the characters such as Helen, Achilles, Agamemnon, Paris, Hector etc. are presented in the story.
Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem, traditionally attributed to Homer . It tells of the battles and events during the weeks in the final year of Trojan war.
(picture is from: http://annalsofaustengirl.blogspot.tw/2012/09/review-iliad-by-homer.html )
Quotes
1. This is a quote from the Iliad , Book III,Ln 180-190, it is the observation of the old chiefs of Troy ofthe beauty Helen strolling through the palace of King Priam.
“Who on earth could blame them? Ah, no wonder
the men of Troy and Argives under arms have suffered
years of agony all for her, for such a woman.
Beauty, terrible beauty!
2. Hector, rebuking( 責難 ) his brother for lack of honor:
“Paris, you handsome, woman-mad deceiver,
you shouldn’t have been born, or killed unmarried.
I wish you had-it would have been far better
Than having you our shame, whom all suspect,
Or having the long-haired Acheans( 侵略特洛伊的希臘人 ) laugh
When you appear as champion-champion beauty-
But have no strength, nor character, nor courage.” Lines 40-45, Book Six
3. Hector, saying farewell to his wife:
“No man, against my fate, sends me to Hades’.
And as for fate, I’m sure no man escapes it,
Neither a good nor bad man, once he’s born.” Lines 487-489, Book Nine
4. Achilles, questioning the motives( 動機 ( for the Trojan war as Odysseus tries to bring him back to the fighting:
“But why must the Argives( 希臘人 ) fight
the Trojans? Why did Atreus’( 希臘國王的爸爸 ) son assemble
and bring us? Wasn’t it for Helen’s sake?
Are Atreus’ sons the only men who love their wives?” Lines 336-340, Book Sixteen
5. Achilles, as he kills Hector:
“No more entreating( 懇求 ), dog, by knees or parents.
I only wish my fury would compel( 驅動 ) me
To cut away your flesh and eat it raw
For what you’ve done. No one can keep the dogs
Off of your head, not if they brought me ransom( 贖金 )
Of ten or twenty times as much, or more.” Lines 345-350, Book Twenty-Four
6. Priam, King of Troy, begging for Hector’s body:
“‘Honor the gods, Achilles; pity him.
Think of your father; I’m more pitiful;
I’ve suffered what no other mortal has,
I’ve kissed the hand of one who killed my children.’
He spoke, and stirred Achilles’ grief to tears;
He gently pushed the old man’s hand away.
They both remembered; Priam wept for Hector,
Sitting crouched before Achilles’ feet.
Achilles mourned his father, then again
Patroculs, and their mourning stirred the house.” Lines 503-513
Achilles: “Don’t be angry, Patroclus, if you learn-
even though you’re in Hades-I gave Hector back
to his father for a worthy ransom
But I shall give a proper share to you.” Lines 592-596