Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad Part A

How the War with Troy Began- Favorite!

This first story in Church's adaptation of The Iliad serves as a background of sorts to provide a setting of what is going to come later. I could work with that aspect in my own re-write to give the reader details on what is to come. I also was thinking that I could set this in a more modern day setting if I were to use it for my own project. Maybe I could even do something along the lines of a popular cheerleader that all the football boys want to be with and then it comes in the way of them winning their games. Lots of possibilities here with this one that I think could be expanded on!

The Quarrel (Parts 1 & 2)- Favorite!

I liked the character development here, but found it a little bit hard to follow who was who because of the sheer number of people and the complicated names. If I were to use this in my own storytelling, I think I would want to simplify it down somehow. This section still works with my other idea for retelling the events. Instead of The Quarrel, it could be about a game or something where everything comes crashing down because the team members can't focus or they are arguing with each other about what has happened off the field. 

What Thetis Did for Her Son

Not completely sure where to go with this one yet. I would obviously want to involve some kind of "power figure" to substitute for Zeus. This could likely either be the coaches or teachers going to the principal or parents getting involved or any number of things of the sort. Could really use this to try to come up with a solution but could also ultimately end up simply causing more problems for the situation at hand instead of solving it. 

Hector and Andromache- Could really work with this to expand story!

At this point, everything seems to be falling apart. I still really like the character development and the way the plot is thickening. I could use this section in a rewrite to have two characters from the high school setting that have decided that enough is enough and somehow they are going to have to fix whatever is at hand and put it behind them so they can get back to being the winning team/squads that they always have been before they started fighting. As far as writing style, I could involve some type of communication format such as messages between the students or something like that to make the writing even more unique.

The Embassy to Achilles

Everything is becoming centered around what seems to be nothing but a big misunderstanding. Also seems to be somewhat of a power play in the plot development here regarding why things seem to be getting worse every step of the way, instead of problems being resolved at all. 

The Deeds and Death of Patroclus

Character development at this point centered around Patroclus, a guy focused on doing what he wants instead of what he was directly told to focus on. Important to note here that there was a consequence because of his actions and inability to do what was asked of him. Include this in the re-write somehow (need to think of what that might look like in a different setting with a bunch of teenagers- don't necessarily want to kill someone off!)
Original setting of The Iliad as told by Homer before
rewritten by A.J. Church. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography:

A.J. Church's The Iliad, link to part A



No comments:

Post a Comment