Gods in the Iliad.

1. THE ILIAD
The story of the wooden horse.

2. Aims and Objectives
Aims:
To highlight important themes in Homer.
Objectives:
1. Identify some potential themes.
2. Read parts of the Iliad and discuss.

5. What role do you think the gods play in
the Iliad and the Odyssey?

6. The Role of the Gods in Homer.
Fate:
◦The gods are bound by fate.
◦Only Zeus seems to be able to dictate
fate by a nod of the head.
◦However Zeus never overrides fate
despite temptations to save his own son.

7. Drive the Plot:
◦ The gods fill in some awkward holes in
the plot.
◦The Greeks and Trojans frequently try to
make peace but the gods prevent it.
◦Athena encourages the trojan Pandarus
to break a truce.

8. Diversity of Action:
The gods allow the author to cover
other topics beyond the actions of
humans:
◦Politics
◦Powerful women.
◦Magic and the divine.

9. Structure

10. Comic Relief