The hottest Epic poetry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Priam And Achilles, Pity and Fear

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
📚 Literature Epic poetry Tragedy
  1. The emotional impact of storytelling in the Iliad involves creating blends between personal experiences and the narratives heard, fostering sympathy and empathy.
  2. Pity plays a crucial role in the interactions between characters like Priam and Achilles, shaping their shared experiences of suffering and wonder.
  3. The epic genre, particularly in the Iliad, emphasizes feelings of pity and fear which have parallels with the elements of tragedy, according to Aristotle's theory.

"As If He Were Going to His Death"

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Epic poetry Interpretation
  1. The language in Priam's journey in Iliad 24 is filled with themes of burial and death, evoking a sense of a funerary procession and a heroic journey.
  2. Hermes' role in leading Priam to Achilles represents a transition between different realms, symbolizing a journey to the underworld and emphasizing the exceptional nature of the epic's scene.
  3. The movements and interactions in book 24 of the Iliad draw upon traditions of katabasis, the mythological motif of entering the underworld, and reflect on themes of death, burial practices, and honoring the dead, creating a rich interplay between narrative and ritual.

Laying My Burdens Down

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Analysis Characters Themes
  1. Hektor imagines disarming to meet Achilles and make a truce, emphasizing pity and shame as softer moral norms.
  2. Hektor's longing for an equal relationship with Achilles shows a desire for a peaceful resolution, although their fate is driven by duty and rage.
  3. The interactions between Hektor, Achilles, and Patroklos create a complex web of emotional intensity and tragedy in the _Iliad_.

Even Zeus Suffers

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 119 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📚 Literature Greek mythology Epic poetry Death Gods Mortality
  1. In the Iliad, the scene of Zeus mourning for his son Sarpedon highlights themes of heroism, human mortality, and the relationship between gods and humans.
  2. The internal and external tensions surrounding Sarpedon's death in the Iliad demonstrate the complexities of fate, divine power, and the connections to larger epic and cosmic themes.
  3. Zeus's decision to honor Sarpedon in death with proper burial rites emphasizes the universality of human mortality and the importance of honoring the dead, establishing a cosmic order where certain rights remain untouchable.

Always Second Best (Or Worst)

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📚 Literature Classics Analysis Characterization Mythology Epic poetry
  1. Book 17 of the Iliad focuses on the characterization of Hektor, revealing his shortcomings as a warrior despite his reputation.
  2. The primary Trojan fighters like Hektor, Aeneas, and Sarpedon in the Iliad do not always live up to expectations on the battlefield, showcasing the complexities of warfare and heroism.
  3. Hektor's actions and interactions in book 17 highlight the themes of divine intervention, personal agency, and the inevitability of failure in the epic narrative.
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They're Just Not That Into Us

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
📚 Literature Epic poetry Greek mythology Classical Studies
  1. Book 21 of the Iliad showcases the cosmic disorder inherent in a world where gods and mortals coexist, highlighting the danger of heroes like Achilles.
  2. The Homeric poems, including the Iliad and the Odyssey, narrate the development of the cosmos and the transition towards a world closer to the audience's lives, exploring the concept of demigods and the divine history.
  3. Through the dialogue between Poseidon and Apollo in the Iliad, the gods decide to step back from interfering in mortal affairs, illustrating the theme that humans gain glory through their sacrifices and actions in the face of mortality.

Zeus and 'Righting' the Divine Constitution

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mythology Politics Classics Reading Epic poetry
  1. Book 15 of the Iliad focuses on Zeus reestablishing his authority among the gods and reigniting his plan.
  2. The actions and conversations among the gods in Book 15 offer insights into divine politics and how they mirror human political dynamics.
  3. Zeus' leadership style in Book 15 contrasts with human governance, showcasing the implausibility of replicating divine autocracy on earth.

Merely the Third To Kill Me

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📚 Literature Classics Narrative Techniques Character analysis Prophecy Epic poetry
  1. Patroklos' death in the Iliad is a pivotal moment that redirects Achilles' rage towards Hektor and explores themes of hubris and fate.
  2. The use of apostrophe in Homer, like directly addressing characters, creates emotional impact and immersion for the audience.
  3. Hektor's role in Patroklos' death raises questions about heroism, fate, and the ambivalence towards excellence in warfare.

Achilles Sings the Hero Within

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
📚 Literature Mythology Narrative Storytelling Epic poetry
  1. Achilles used singing to calm his rage in the Iliad, showing the power of music as a form of self-care.
  2. The phrase 'famous stories of men' in ancient poetry was seen as providing wisdom and advice through narratives.
  3. Achilles' engagement with the 'kléa andrôn' reveals a deeper exploration of narrative blending and the interpretation of stories, highlighting the complexity of storytelling in the Iliad.

Beginning the Iliad, Once, Twice, and Again

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 159 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
📚 Literature Analysis Translation Epic poetry Scholarship
  1. The initial lines of the Iliad set the stage for the epic story by invoking themes like rage and heroism, preparing the audience for what's to come.
  2. In addition to the well-known 8 lines, there are shorter alternate beginnings for the Iliad found in manuscript traditions, offering different perspectives to set up the audience for the epic story.
  3. The variations in the beginnings of the Iliad highlight the complexity of the oral tradition, showing how different versions can be equally valid in starting the epic poem.

Falling Asleep after Sex and Other Cosmic Problems

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Gender Dynamics Epic poetry Interpretation
  1. The scene of Zeus being seduced by Hera in the Iliad offers insights into divine cosmos, power dynamics, and themes of desire and limitations.
  2. The interaction between Zeus and Hera reflects on themes of succession, desire, and the disruption of divine order in the broader context of the Trojan War narrative.
  3. Comparisons between the Iliadic scene and the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite highlight the serious undertones of desire and its impacts on gods and humans in cosmic narratives.

Looking Up and Out

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
📚 Literature Analysis Interpretation Themes Epic poetry Narrative
  1. Book 12 of the Iliad provides a unique perspective by exploring themes like heroism, politics, and the inevitability of destruction, situated in the middle of the Trojan War narrative.
  2. The destruction of the Achaean walls in the future and the omen interpretation debate between Hektor and Polydamas add depth to the political and narrative themes in the epic.
  3. Sarpedon's speech to Glaukos addresses the idea of heroism, highlighting the complex nature of human actions and the cosmic perspective within the storytelling of the Iliad.

Erasing the Past

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
📚 Literature Greek mythology Narrative analysis Epic poetry Classical Studies
  1. Poseidon's concern about his fame in the Iliad reflects a zero-sum game of kleos, demonstrating the importance of recognition in ancient mythology.
  2. Zeus authorizes Poseidon to destroy the Achaean wall, emphasizing the balance of memory and forgetting controlled by divine agency.
  3. The detailed destruction of the wall in Book 12 expands upon the narrative of the Trojan War, showing a cosmic perspective and the cyclical nature of destruction in the heroic age.

Wishing the Impossible

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
📚 Literature Greek mythology Character analysis Epic poetry Comparison
  1. Hektor in the Iliad is a complex character who leads the Trojan war effort but faces challenges and limitations in his portrayal.
  2. Readers connect with Hektor as a noble character in the epic, showing deep emotional responses towards him.
  3. Hektor's speeches reveal his eagerness for battle, his wish for immortality, and his unique approach to rallying his people, showcasing his internal conflicts.

Tyranny and the Plot

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Storytelling Performance Mythology
  1. Book 8 of the Iliad focuses on Zeus shaping the plot through divine council and speeches, emphasizing the influence of Gods and Humans in the narrative.
  2. Zeus's control of the plot showcases his authority and highlights the consequences of opposing him, reflecting a theme of power dynamics and storytelling.
  3. Scholars propose book divisions in the Iliad align with potential performances, with Zeus's speeches marking key moments and guiding the understanding of the epic's plot.

Seeing (and Wounding) the Gods

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
📚 Literature Mythology Epic poetry Narrative Traditions Gods Heroes
  1. Book 5 of the Iliad presents the first full aristeia of the epic, focusing on Athena supporting Diomedes in his opposition to the gods and victory over Aeneas and Aphrodite.
  2. Book 5 contributes critically to major themes in the Iliad such as narrative traditions, heroism, and the interactions between gods and humans.
  3. The gods engage in indirect conflict in Book 5, setting the stage for more direct divine confrontations in later books, emphasizing the importance of their behavior in understanding human messages in the epic.

Backing Up the Future

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
📚 Literature Characterization Rivalry Themes Mythology Epic poetry
  1. Book 4 of the Iliad focuses on politics, the gods' influence on humans, and how the narrative aligns with or deviates from traditional stories.
  2. Zeus plays a crucial role in orchestrating the plot and delineating the balance between divine will and mortal actions in the epic.
  3. Agamemnon's actions in book 4, particularly the 'epipolesis,' provide insights into leadership, hero characterization, and how the Iliad incorporates elements from other tales to establish its narrative prominence.

(Re-)Starting the Trojan War

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Mythology Scholarship Narrative Traditions
  1. Book 3 of the Iliad provides examples of Homeric style through delays in the fighting and unconventional scenes.
  2. The dominant theme of the third book of the Iliad is the past, showcasing how the narrative weaves together different stories and traditions.
  3. Helen's role in creating a visual narrative sets the stage for the action in the Iliad, showing the interplay of characters and suffering in the Trojan War.

From Politics to Poetics

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
📚 Literature Analysis Themes Narrative Epic poetry Characters
  1. The second book of the Iliad focuses on politics and narrative traditions, with critical scenes contributing to major themes like politics, heroism, and gods interacting with humans.
  2. The Achaean assembly's actions in book 2 resolve political tension but do not fully address Achilles' absence, showcasing the resilience of the Achaeans despite conflicts.
  3. The Catalogue of Ships in book 2 serves as a reflection of mythical space and geography of antiquity, engaging with epic narrative and political dynamics, transcending the timeline of the main plot.

Two Is Company!

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
📚 Literature Epic poetry Literary Analysis
  1. In the debate surrounding the inconsistent use of dual and plural forms in Homer's 'Iliad 9', the ancient Greek language had a unique dual number for pairs of things acting together.
  2. The alternation between dual and plural forms in the embassy scene in 'Iliad 9' highlights a tension between friends and foreign agents, reflecting the complicated situation between Achilles and the Achaean coalition.
  3. The persistence of dual forms in the text opens up interpretations ranging from viewing it as a simple error, to creatively using language to enhance characterization, inviting the audience to decipher meaning beyond the surface.

Give Helen Back!

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
📚 Literature Greek mythology Politics Rhetoric Epic poetry
  1. Book 7 of the Iliad provides insight into Greek and Trojan political organizations through divine orchestration and assemblies.
  2. The political institutions in the Iliad mirror the basic organization of many Greek city-states.
  3. Antenor's dissent and suggestion to return Helen in the Iliad reflect the limits on advice and deliberation in the Trojan polity.

Heroes Can't Read (But We Can)

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
📚 Literature Analysis Translation Epic poetry Communication Symbols
  1. In the Iliad, there's a passage about 'painful signs' that raises questions about the use and impact of written communication in ancient times.
  2. Ancient scholars had varying opinions on whether the 'painful signs' mentioned in the Iliad were actually a form of writing or symbolic messages.
  3. The story of 'painful signs' highlights the power of language and messaging in shaping events, with implications and effects that might not always align with the author's intentions.