For those who have read Homer's The Iliad
I have a few questions that need clarification
I may reward good answers that I am seeking

How would Achilles define the excellence of a man and how would Agammemnon define the excellence of a man? How do they differ?

Why does Homer take such pains to describe the life history of everyone who is killed in battle? THIS I HAVE NO CLUE

What is Hector's motivation for fighting? I am not sure what the other answer is besides fighting for his city, and his brother Paris, is there another hidden motive?

What is Hector's tragic flaw, the flaw that leads him to fight Achilles in front of the gates, knowing that it would lead to the desctruction of his city? I believe this one referrs to him wanted glory for his father and himself, but please corect me

Why does Achilles agree so quickly to Priam's request? Relate it to his search for honor and godlike status, as well as tot he death of his friend Patroclus. I believe this referrs to Apollo not letting Hector's body become damaged, and the only way to become god-like is to become human again, which he would need to return the body to his father in order to achieve a different type of glory and honor....correct me if i'm wrong

Purpose of the book, Aeneid, what did Virgil intend this book to do? I know that the Aeneid was suppose to be a poetic history of how the great empire of Rome came to be, but did Virgil have another intent?

These are the questions I have for this book.

Thank you!

anyone care to share?

How would Achilles define the excellence of a man and how would Agamemnon define the excellence of a man? How do they differ?
Achilles would define it as bravery and Agamemnon was more about man's ability to lead and follow.

What is Hectors motivation for fighting? I am not sure what the other answer is besides fighting for his city, and his brother Paris, is there another hidden motive?
Hector didn't want to fight Achilles until Athena in the form of Deiphobus tricked Hector into standing his ground.

What is Hectors tragic flaw, the flaw that leads him to fight Achilles in front of the gates, knowing that it would lead to the destruction of his city?
"The fatal pride"

Why does Achilles agree so quickly to Priam's request?
It is because Priam invokes the memory of Achilles’ own father.

This post was edited by darken99 on Mar 3 2008 11:49am

thanks for your response, although it was too late, i already studied the Iliad in short time and took my exam, and the answers u have given corresponded to the answers i gave...Thank you for your help!

If you liked that book, you should try "Odyssey", its the sequel.

This post was edited by Madstrike on Mar 9 2008 03:19am