The document discusses several aspects of the Iliad and the Odyssey, including their use in Greek pedagogy, the portrayal of mythological characters, early English translations, and the concept of fate. Classical scholars viewed the epics as poems, while the Greeks used them as educational texts. Unlike actual Greek religion, Homer's depictions of gods and goddesses suited his narrative purposes. The document also mentions George Chapman's 16th century translation of the Iliad into ballad form and how fate propels many events in the stories, though gods and men cannot alter what has been foretold.

1. The iliad as oral traditionThe iliad as oral tradition
The greeks applied the iliad and theThe greeks applied the iliad and the
odyssey as the bases of pedagogy,odyssey as the bases of pedagogy,
classical scholars treated the iliad andclassical scholars treated the iliad and
the odyssey as poemsthe odyssey as poems

2. Mythological charactersMythological characters
 In the literary trojan war of the iliad theIn the literary trojan war of the iliad the
olympic gods goddesses and demigodsolympic gods goddesses and demigods
fight and play great roles I human warfarefight and play great roles I human warfare
 Unlike practical greek religiousUnlike practical greek religious
observance, homers portrayals of themobservance, homers portrayals of them
suited his narrative purpose, being verysuited his narrative purpose, being very
different from the polytheistic Ideas thatdifferent from the polytheistic Ideas that
the greeks used.the greeks used.

3. English translationsEnglish translations
 George Chapman published hisGeorge Chapman published his
translation in the iliad.translation in the iliad.
 Beginning in 1598 published inBeginning in 1598 published in
fourteeners a long line ballad that hasfourteeners a long line ballad that has
room for all of homers figures of speechroom for all of homers figures of speech
and plenty of new ones.and plenty of new ones.

4. FateFate
 Propels most of the events of the iliadPropels most of the events of the iliad
once set gods and men abide it neitheronce set gods and men abide it neither
truly able or willing to contest it.truly able or willing to contest it.
 How fate is set is unknown but it is told byHow fate is set is unknown but it is told by
the fates and seers such as calchas a.k.athe fates and seers such as calchas a.k.a
the bronze man.the bronze man.