Reading the Chunksters discussion

March 20 through March 26:
Book four through book six: pages 145 - 213 (68 pages)

Book four: The Truce Erupts in War
Book five: Diomedes Fights the Gods
Book six: Hector Returns to Troy

There is way more gore and way more nipples in this than I remember.

Diomed is certainly tearing up the field in Book 5. I'd forgotten that the gods did more than give advice and stir things up, according to Homer. I suspect their appearance made the story more interesting to the listeners. Otherwise it's mostly body parts and bragging.

Just finished Book 6. Hector and Andromache are so sweet together. I've often wondered why Homer, a Greek, made Hector such a sympathetic and heroic a character.

So these are my thoughts at the moment. One the one hand, it makes it a bigger deal to defeat him in battle. And through him makes Troy a more formidable foe. But it's also good storytelling. Hector, Andromache, and their son bring a pathos to the tale that must have hit home for a people who might at any time be subject to the same fate.

Poor Bellerophon gets forgotten once the little family take the stage. I wonder how much of the mythology we know was unearthed from descriptions like that of the beginning of this chapter.

Renee wrote: "There is way more gore and way more nipples in this than I remember."

This made me laugh! Because it's so true!

I've been reading but not commenting. I think that we are given some insight into some of the heroes.

Menelaos under estimates his opponents and initially struggles to best Paris.

Paris is a coward, his actions have led to war but he takes no responsibility.

This contrasts with Hector, a brave hero, who cares for his troops, people and family. I think that we are being set up here. Hector is seen as an enemy of the Greeks. The better that he is portrayed, the more magnificent that victory over him will be.