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Western Canon Book Club: Iliad
Tuesday January 9 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm EST
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Join host Joseline Yu to explore the nature of war and fate in the heroic epic Iliad, as part of the Western Canon Book Club series.
Homer’s Iliad pulses with conflict — the lifeblood of storytelling. The heroic epic poem brings to life the legendary war between the Trojans and the Greeks, along with the schemes of the Greek mythological gods to influence each battle in their favour. As the war unfolds, characters from both sides test the limits of their power to determine their fate in a world where even divine beings find it impossible to get everything they want.
In this salon, we’ll discuss how the Iliad explores the timeless theme in literature on whether fate or free will matters more in resolving conflict. We’ll also touch on the nature of war as a problem that robs precious lives while being a solution for distinguishing powerful members within a community. The poem presents alternative solutions, which we’ll examine through passages involving side characters.
Selected passages from Stanley Lombardo’s translation of the Iliad will be shared during the salon. Those who have yet to read or finish the text are welcome to join!
