When Courage Emerges from Chaos: Reflections on Book 9 of the Iliad
Book 9 opens with a reminder that in war, panic may very well ebb and flow from day to day,…
Author: jimgarrett
The Surgeons of Art: Homer and Michelangelo’s Obsession with the Human Form
As I prepare to enter Book 9 of The Iliad, I’m struck by how the narrative will only deepen—more clashing…
Where the Gulf Meets Understanding: An Afternoon with Whitman at the Water’s Edge
Thoughts on As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life by Walt Whitman from Leaves of Grass Today, I began…
It’s Never Too Late to Wander Through Homer’s World
Eight books down, and I’ve reached my first milestone—a January target date marking the completion of The Iliad‘s opening section:…
When Pages Become Passports: Traveling Tuscany Through Mystery and Meals
More often than not, a book settles into my hands not because I expect it to become a classic, but…
When Hearts Collide and Fates Converge: Reflections on Books 6 and 7 of the Iliad
Books 6 and 7 of The Iliad offer us a remarkable pause in the relentless march of battle—a moment to…
When Truth Becomes Legend: A Portrait’s Journey Through Time
In my earlier reflections on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Marble Faun, I introduced the novel’s rich tapestry of art, mystery, and…
An Unexpected Guide to Homer’s Epic: Finding Confidence in The Iliad
If you’re new to reading epic poetry—especially Greek mythology like The Iliad—you probably appreciate a little help feeling more comfortable…
Rediscovering Hawthorne in Rome: First Impressions of The Marble Faun
While currently reading The Iliad, I am also reading another older text as I prepare for sleep at night. Currently,…
From Legion to Legend: The Shift to Individual Heroism
As we journey deeper into the epic narrative, Books 4 and 5 mark a significant turning point, a deliberate shift…