Closing the Cover Where Grief and Glory Meet
I have reached the end of Book 24 of The Iliad, and I leave Troy not so much conquered as…
Tag: The Iliad
When the Light Grows Dim: Hector’s Dark Cloud and Our Own
In Book 17 of The Iliad, the light goes dim on the battlefield. Patroclus, dear friend of Achilles, has fallen,…
Achilles’ Friend in Borrowed Armor: Fate, Perception, and the Brief Work of Our Days
Book 16 feels like the moment Homer gently puts a hand on our shoulder and says, “Look more closely—this is…
When the Gods Step Back and We Step Forward
In these middle books of the Iliad, the camera pulls back from Achilles’ tent and turns to everyone else who…
Restless Nights and Crumbling Walls: Returning to The Iliad, Books 10–12
After a few days away from Homer, I’ve returned to The Iliad and landed in three dark, restless chapters—Books 10–12—where…
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,…
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…
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 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…
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…