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Delahoyde & Hughes
Orpheus
HOMER'S ILIAD:
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Questions for Book VIII:
Zeus lays down the policy of non-interference among the gods, and he
threatens, to paraphrase, "make my day" (8.20). When the gods stop
interfering, another force takes over control, and has final control
anyway: fate.
We hear some fine epic similes in this book, such as the charming image
of the lovely flower illustrating Gorgythion's broken head. The final
simile is truly artistic though. While it meanders on, line after line,
it effectively captures of what is also happening in the drama: the
warriors are waiting and waiting. The book ends just as it began -- check
the first and last lines.
then Father Zeus held out his sacred golden scales:
Soon he breaks his own law by zapping some thunderbolts at Diomedes'
horses. Nestor catches what's going on and warns that defying Zeus' will
is hopeless. Hector taunts the Greeks and encourages his horses. Hera is
pissed off, naturally. She and Athena try to rebel against Zeus' will but
he catches them and chews them out.
in them he placed two fates of death that lays men low--
one for the Trojan horsemen, one for Argives armed in bronze--
and gripping the beam mid-haft the Father raised it high
and down went Achaea's day of doom, Achaea's fate
settling down on the earth that feeds us all
as the Trojans' fate went lifting towards the sky.
(8.81-87)
Iliad Index
Orpheus: Greek Mythology