Please choose ONE of the literary works you’ve read in weeks 1-3 ( I choose the Iliad).

For this assignment, begin by going back through the specific text you’ve chosen and performing an analysis of its literary elements. For this, you’ll need to engage in close reading, which we learned about during Week One in class.

In order to complete a textual analysis, you need to consider how individual elements of the text combine to create the whole. In order to do that, you will look at each individual element on its own. Essentially, you are mining the text for additional, specific details that you may have overlooked before.

In your analysis, please include sections on the following:

Setting: What is the setting? Why is it important? Is there any information given about time and location? Is there anything implied? Why might this be significant?
Character: Who are the major characters? What are their defining characteristics? Do any characters change significantly throughout the text? Does it seem like a certain character is meant to represent something?
Plot: What is the basic outline of what happens in the text? What are the most important moments in the text? Include information about any exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Point-of-view: what is the POV? Why is it important? What style of narration is presented? How does this affect the text overall?
Theme: What point or lesson is the author trying to highlight in this text? Are there multiple themes? Are these themes easily recognizable? How might viewers relate to these themes?
Symbolism: Is there anything in the text that seems to stand for something else? Are there certain figures or objects of importance? Why might these items be made to stand out?
You might also include information about imagery, writing style, tone, and/or diction in addition to (or in place of) any of the elements listed above.

Structure
This analysis should be at least 500 words in length, and should be written in essay/paragraph form using the third person academic voice. Please address all significant elements of the text, based on the above list. An effective approach might be to devote a paragraph to each element.
MLA Style
Your paper must be formatted according to MLA format (this includes having a header, double spacing throughout the document, appropriate font, etc.)
Include at least one quotation or paraphrase in each element section with appropriate usage and citation, according to MLA formatting standards.
You must include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper.
For more information about MLA style, you should view the Purdue OWL’s pages on MLA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
Mechanics, Grammar, and Punctuation
All written assignments should be mechanically and grammatically correct with proper punctuation.
For more information on each of these, you should view the Purdue OWL’s General Writing Resources page: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/general_writing_introduction.html

ANSWER

A textual analysis of the Iliad

Setting

The Iliad, an epic poem written about 800 BCE, takes place in around 50 days. It details the Greek legend of the Trojan war (Shankman).  The storyline shifts from the city of Troy to the battlefields between the two locations. Most of the actions take place at the Greek Camp.

Character

The main character in Iliad is Achilles, who is the most powerful warrior in the region. The second character is Agamemnon (also called “Atrides”), the King of Mycenae and leader of the Achaean army (Weil). Patroclus is the beloved friend of Achilles and Odysseus, who is also a fine warrior and the cleverest of the Achaean commanders.

Plot

The poem talked about nine years after the Trojan war and the capture of beautiful maidens, Chryseis and Briseis. It explains the quarrel between King Agamemnon and Achilles.  This is after Agamemnon incurs the wrath of Achilles after claiming one of his concubines.
Point-of-view

The poem gives the readers a third-person omniscient, which is also known as the “gods eye view.” This is where the poem’s narrator speaks from a third-person perspective in the entire poem, changing the readers’ attitudes to understand the context.

Theme

The central theme for the poem is the Glory of war, where it seems to celebrate war. This is the main theme portrayed by almost all the characters in the poem.  However, other themes showcased in the poem include Military Glory over Family Life, where it seems that the society treasures the military wins over the thriving of families. The poem also has the theme of the Impermanence of Human Life and Its Creations.

Symbolism

A primary symbolism used in the poem is the Achaean ships that symbolize the Greek race’s future.  There is also the use of Shield of Achilles, which depicts normal life in the future and illustrates the world beyond the battlefield.

Works Cited

Shankman, Steven, ed. ” The Iliad of Homer: Translated by Alexander Pope. Vol. 1. Wipf and Stock Publishers.” (2009).

Weil, Simone. ” The Iliad, or the poem of force. Duke University Press.” (2007).