Iliad, Aeneid & Odyssey boxset (Penguin Classics)

This is the boxset from Penguin Classics with three amazing classics: The Iliad, The Aeneid and The Odyssey.

[Fullbatteri]

Oh!! I’m missing the Aeneid in this edition!! I got the two Homer Classic Deluxe separately, I wish I’d known about this box set.

[EllaMarciniak-]

Oml I read that book in 6th grade and I loved it

[Lana-ouvu]

Omg I saw this and I immediately bought it! 😮 😂 thank you!!!!

[CynicVash]

😲😲😲😲 Troy was one of my favorite movies. Brad Pitt version. I should read the books. So much of my favorite movies are books and I like it! I’m gonna get this same set. Thank you!🙏🏽

[chillymilly]

I hope we read this in the bookclub next year

[ArthurKain]

I bought doubles of each, separately. I didn't know of a boxed set! I might get them again just to have the boxed set.

[JeffMPalermo]

Beautiful set. I want the hardcover version.!

[AbeLincoln-sbbv]

Nice set. I have it in single editions.

[Euro.Patriot]

Read the Iliad and Odyssey and I have read them multiple times. The Aeneid translation I got from the library was in rhyme so it went unread and returned after a page.

[acidjumps]

Ordered this from amazon, the box was damaged but the books are 10/10

[Anon]

Poor Patroclus. Gm/bm is an ordeal I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

[xibalbalon]

Cool set to put on my shelf and not read

[randomphysicists]

when you order them seperately....price difference...box set is expensive..

[vanidioso]

Nothing but history facts ! Exactly how the "gods" aka fallen angels started beef with eachother on earth using humans as toy soldiers !

[anton_to_adventures]

wow ! nice. did you read them? I cannot find such an edition. but I've ordered another one (in russian) just for Homer, with illustrations and annotations. expecting it very much. maybe let's be friends, because we have very similar reading / studying plans.

[Laocoon]

They cut the paper edges like shit i hate when that happens

[catsandclassics]

That’s the translation of the Iliad I have

[VrayCat]

The Iliad by Homer

Summary

The Iliad is an epic poem set during the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of the Greek hero Achilles. The story explores themes of honor, pride, revenge, and the tragic cost of war. The narrative takes place over a few weeks near the end of the ten-year conflict, weaving together the fates of warriors, gods, and mortals.

Story Structure

1. Beginning/Exposition

Introduction of Characters:

• Achilles: The greatest warrior among the Greeks, known for his pride and combat skills.
• Agamemnon: The leader of the Greek forces, whose arrogance sparks conflict with Achilles.
• Hector: The noble Trojan prince and the mightiest defender of Troy.
• Priam: The aged and wise king of Troy.
• Helen: The wife of Menelaus, whose abduction by Paris sparks the Trojan War.
• The Gods: Olympian deities like Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Hera meddle in the war, each with their own agendas.

Inciting Incident:
A quarrel erupts between Achilles and Agamemnon when Agamemnon demands Achilles’ war prize, the maiden Briseis. Insulted, Achilles withdraws from the battle, leaving the Greek forces vulnerable.

2. Rising Action

• Greek Struggles: Without Achilles, the Greeks falter. The Trojans, led by Hector, push the Greeks back toward their ships.
• Divine Interference: The gods take sides, with some aiding the Greeks (e.g., Athena) and others supporting the Trojans (e.g., Apollo).
• Patroclus’ Death: Achilles’ close friend, Patroclus, dons Achilles’ armor to rally the Greeks but is slain by Hector. This tragedy ignites Achilles’ wrath.

3. Climax

• Achilles’ Revenge: Consumed by rage, Achilles returns to battle and slaughters countless Trojans. In a climactic duel, he kills Hector and desecrates his body, dragging it behind his chariot.

4. Falling Action

• Priam’s Plea: Priam courageously visits Achilles’ camp to beg for Hector’s body. Moved by Priam’s grief and reminded of his own father, Achilles relents and returns Hector’s body for a proper burial.

5. Resolution

The poem ends with Hector’s funeral, leaving the fate of Troy unresolved. The focus shifts from vengeance to themes of compassion and humanity amid the horrors of war.

Themes and Analysis

1. Wrath and its Consequences: Achilles’ rage drives the story and demonstrates how unchecked anger leads to destruction and suffering.
2. Honor and Glory: The warriors’ actions are motivated by a desire for kleos (glory) and time (honor).
3. Fate and Free Will: The characters often wrestle with their destinies, shaped by the gods and their own choices.
4. Mortality and Humanity: The poem reflects on the fragility of human life and the legacy one leaves behind.

Legacy

• The Iliad is one of the foundational works of Western literature, offering profound insights into human nature and the complexities of war.
• It has inspired countless adaptations and remains a cornerstone of classical studies.

The Aeneid by Virgil

Summary

The Aeneid is a Roman epic that follows the Trojan hero Aeneas as he escapes the fall of Troy and journeys to Italy, where his descendants will found Rome. Combining myth, history, and political propaganda, the poem emphasizes themes of duty, destiny, and sacrifice.

Story Structure

1. Beginning/Exposition

Introduction of Characters:

• Aeneas: A Trojan prince and the protagonist, driven by his sense of duty (pietas) to fulfill his destiny.
• Dido: The queen of Carthage who falls in love with Aeneas, leading to tragedy.
• Anchises: Aeneas’ father, who provides guidance and represents his Trojan heritage.
• Ascanius: Aeneas’ young son, symbolizing the future of Rome.
• Juno: The queen of the gods, who opposes Aeneas due to her grudge against Troy.
• Venus: Aeneas’ divine mother, who aids him on his journey.

Inciting Incident:
After Troy’s destruction, Aeneas and his followers set sail in search of a new homeland, as foretold by prophecy.

2. Rising Action

• Journey and Challenges: Aeneas faces numerous trials, including a storm caused by Juno, a sojourn in Carthage, and encounters with mythical creatures.
• Dido’s Tragedy: Aeneas and Dido fall in love, but Aeneas is reminded of his duty to leave Carthage. Dido, heartbroken, curses him and commits suicide.
• Underworld Journey: In Italy, Aeneas visits the Underworld, where Anchises reveals Rome’s glorious future, solidifying Aeneas’ resolve.

3. Climax

• Conflict in Italy: Aeneas allies with King Latinus but faces opposition from Turnus, a local warrior who resists the Trojans. Aeneas leads his forces into battle.

4. Falling Action

• Turnus’ Defeat: Aeneas defeats Turnus in a final duel. Despite considering mercy, Aeneas kills Turnus in a fit of rage, avenging the death of a comrade.

5. Resolution

The poem ends abruptly after Turnus’ death, leaving Aeneas’ ultimate legacy—the founding of Rome—to be inferred.

Themes and Analysis

1. Duty and Sacrifice: Aeneas embodies the Roman virtue of pietas, prioritizing duty over personal desires.
2. Fate and Divine Will: The inevitability of Aeneas’ mission reflects the Roman belief in destiny.
3. Conflict and Empire: The poem justifies Rome’s rise to power, presenting its expansion as divinely ordained.
4. Love and Loss: Dido’s tragic story underscores the tension between personal happiness and larger responsibilities.

Legacy

• The Aeneid is a masterpiece of Roman literature, blending Homeric tradition with Roman ideology.
• It has had a profound influence on Western culture, shaping narratives of heroism and imperial destiny.

Why the Name?

The Iliad:

The title The Iliad comes from “Ilios, ” another name for the city of Troy. The title roughly translates to “The Song of Ilium” or “The Tale of Troy, ” emphasizing the epic’s focus on the Trojan War and the interconnected fates of its characters. The name signifies the grand scope of war, its heroes, and the tragic consequences that ripple through history.

Takeaway:

• The title reflects the centrality of Troy in the narrative and the timeless nature of the conflicts it portrays.
• It reminds us that the epic isn’t just about individuals but also about the greater human struggles of pride, honor, and mortality.

The Aeneid:

The title The Aeneid is derived from the name of its protagonist, Aeneas, marking it as the story of his journey and destiny. The title positions Aeneas as the quintessential Roman hero who embodies pietas (duty, loyalty, and devotion) and highlights his role as the forefather of Rome’s greatness.

Takeaway:

• The name emphasizes Aeneas’ centrality to the narrative and the Roman ideals he represents.
• It underscores the theme of destiny, showing how one individual’s sacrifices lay the foundation for a civilization.

What Should We Take Away?

The Iliad:

• The Tragic Cost of War: The poem illustrates the devastating personal and collective toll of conflict, even for heroes.
• The Complexity of Human Nature: Characters like Achilles and Hector reflect the duality of strength and vulnerability.
• The Role of Fate and the Gods: It explores how divine and mortal choices intertwine, shaping the course of history.

The Aeneid:

• Duty Over Desire: Aeneas teaches the importance of prioritizing the greater good over personal wants.
• The Foundations of Empire: It justifies and glorifies Rome’s rise, framing it as part of a divine plan.
• Sacrifice and Legacy: The story conveys that greatness often requires sacrifice, and the legacy of a hero transcends their lifetime.

In both epics, the names and themes emphasize the enduring importance of the individual’s journey within a larger historical or cosmic framework.

[Sadcatblake]

Are all 3 separate story’s or are they all Odysseus and his family’s story’s just in 3 parts? The only one im certain of what its about is the odyssey.

[sorrysirmygunisoneba]

Is The Aeneid a good translation? Some of them are very difficult to read