This material has been used for many years by Professor Tom Sienkewicz in his courses at Howard University and
at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. If you have any questions, you may contact him at toms@monm.edu.
ANALYSIS OF ILIAD III
This analysis is based upon A Study of the "Iliad" in Translation by Frank Lowry Clark. (Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 1927).
I. Introduction Advance of both armies, 1-14
II. Encounter between Paris and Menelaus, 15-37
III. Paris, rebuked by Hector, proposes a duel with Menelaus, 38-75
IV. Preparations for the duel, 76-120
V. The Teichoskopia ("Visit of Helen to the Battlements"), 122-244
Note: This is a form of epipolesis or "review of the troops".
a) Iris summons Helen, 121-38
b) Helen goes to the Scaean gates, 139-60
c) Helen points out the Greek leaders to Priam one-by-one, 161-244
VI. Continued preparations for the duel, 245-325
a) Priam is summoned to the field of battle, 245-63
b) Prayer and Sacrifice, 264-313
c) Casting of lots, 314-25
VII. The duel scene, 326-72
VIII. Paris rescued by Aphrodite, 383-420
IX. Helen is summoned by Aphrodite to her marriage bed, 383-420
X. Helen with Paris, 421-47
XI. Menelaus searches the field for Paris, while Agamemnon claims the victory for the Greeks,
448-61 (end)