The subject of the Iliad is the anger of Achilles, not Achilles himself. But what is this anger of his?
The Book Club this month will be reading and discussing selections from The Anger of Achilles: Mênis in Greek Epic (available free online at the Center for Hellenic Studies.) We will be reading how Leonard Muellner uses the insights of Albert Lord on epic themes, and looks at such anger not as a universal feeling but as culture-specific. “Ultimately, a wide-eyed journey into the world of epic and its mightiest feelings stands to benefit both heart and mind.”
We will all read the following sections:
- Introduction: Approaching Anger
- 1. Mênis and Cosmic Status in the Hierarchy of Peers
- 2. Mênis and the Social Order
and in addition you can read any further chapter(s) you wish.
As always, discussion will start in the forum, and we will meet via Google+ Hangout on Tuesday, September 25 at 5 a.m. EDT and 11 a.m. EDT: links will be posted in the forum at those times.
Happy readings!