THE ILIAD OF HOMER (Last post...bye, been fun)

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Critical Analysis #1

THE ILIAD OF HOMER (Last post...bye, been fun)

Kurt Rhys
Junior Member

since 2001-05-08

Posts 23

0 posted 2001-06-10 01:10 AM

       These two then parted when all through with thusly considering,
She diving deep in the briney from Olympos the glittering,
Zeus wending his way back on a course t'ward the halls of his castle;
And before their father rose all the gods from their seats as a passel,
Nor at his return did any dare stall, but all stood in greeting.
Thus he sat down in his place on the throne, Hera no whit unheeding,
Because she had beheld that he was together in a plan
Shared with Thetis of silvery feet, child of the briney's aged man.
And suddenly, addressing reproaches to Kronian Zeus, inquired:
"With which of the divinities, traitor, have you conspired?
When far away from my side you're found to be ever delighting
In conjuring secrecies up and upon them deciding,
Never willing to reveal plans of which you've been weighing."
       Then the gods's father and the men's replied to 'er, saying:
"Hera, don't expect you will all of my words be gleaning.
For though you be my wife, you'll find it hard to know their meaning.
But it's certain with the things that are right for you to be heeding
That you will find none of the gods nor any man preceeding.
But when I'm far from each and every god to plan what I desire,
Truly no part of this are you to question or inquire."
       Then the lady Hera of the eyes of oxen stated:
"O dreadfulest of Kronos, what is this that you've related?
I've never inquired or questioned you greatly up to now,
But feel free thinking about what you desire anyhow.
That you've been led astray I feel terror deep in my soul stir,
Due to Thetis the silvery-footed child of the briney's oldster.
For, beginning at dawn she was clasping your two knees and squatting,
And I think you assented to honor Akhilleus by nodding,
And by the Akhaian vessels massacre many a man of their folk."
       Zeus who is the gatherer of clouds, returning with words to her, spoke:
"O befuddled one, I can't flee you, you're always suspecting;
Yet you won't be able to do a thing thusly reflecting,
No, but you'll be further from my heart, and for you it'll worsen;
And if it's as you say, it's what's pleasing to my person.
But be seated unheard now, and the word that I'm uttering yield to,
Lest all of the gods on Olympos be useless to shield you
When I approach with invincible hands upon you extended."
       He spoke, and Hera the oxen-eyed whom fear had attended
Sat in silence as she thoroughly repressed her unlucky heart.
Worried were the gods in the house of Zeus, hearing him impart.
Then Hephaistos the famous smith faced the aggregation
To bring forth to his white-armed beloved mother consolation:
"This will turn out to be an unbearable disaster, in truth,
If you two on account of mortals begin to dispute
By bringing bickering among the gods, and so a lack of delight
Will take place at the glorious feast, since evil is winning the fight.
And I advise my mother, who is herself not unperceptive,
To try being to Zeus, our well-beloved father, receptive,
That father be enraged no more to spoil our eating.
Should the lord Olympian of lightning wish our unseating,
And because he is the mightiest, fling us from where we are sitting--
But do indeed yourself to him in soothing words go bidding,
And then straightaway we'll have again the Olympian's favor."
       So he spoke, and darted up before his mother and gave 'er
A two-handled goblet in hand, addressing 'er and saying:
"Courage, my mother, and bear up, albeit to you it's dismaying,
Lest beloved though you be, my eyes were to witness you battered.
Come to that, I won't be able to help, even though I am shattered,
Because the Olympian is powerful in resistance.
Why, he grabbed my foot once when I was coming to your assistance,
Flung me by that from the awesome door, sent me downwardly heading;
And all through the day I fell, but when the sun was over with setting,
Hurtled into Lemnos with little life in me left surviving;
Then, having fallen, was nursed at once by the Sintian men arriving."
       He spoke, and Hera the creamy-armed goddess smiled in favor,
And smiling upon her son, took from his hand the cup he gave 'er.
To all the gods there he went in right directions t'ward them,
And with dips from the wine crater the sweet-tasting nectar poured them.
Then from the lucky gods arose rabid laughter from observing
The way Hephaistos rushed about throughout the palace serving.
       Thus onward they ate all day until the setting sun was hidden;
Nor of the feast was a soul an equal share forbidden,
Nor none kept from the beautiful lyre held by Apollo,
And lovely voiced Muses who sang replies as their turns would follow.
       But later when the radient bright rays of the sun descended,
Then each one went to his own abode with sleep intended--
Homes that for all and sundry were crafted deftly in these places,
Due to Hephaistos the renowned of the limping paces.
T'ward his bed went Zeus, Olympian master of the lightning's own,
Where of old he would take rest when to him sweet sleep had nightly flown.
There he now climbed up and slept beside Hera of the golden throne.

JBaker515

Member

since 2001-02-28

Posts 458
Dartmouth College

1 posted 2001-06-10 02:08 AM

interesting...

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