I really, really dig the Iliad. There's just something about it. It's so beautiful to read, the characters are so epic, the scope so massive. The fact that it only concerns a portion of the Trojan War is really appealing as well, as is the theme of honor woven throughout.

Don't really know why I made this thread, other than that I love the Iliad. Maybe some of the english majors on the board will have more to discuss.

P.S.- The movie "Troy" dropped the ball completely by not including the gods and their meddling; it's half of what makes the story so interesting. And how any director could resist the amazing scene that Achilles fighting the river god would make is beyond me.

Not an English Major, but I did study Homer for a bit in University, and I learned a hell of a lot from those books.
Haven't seen the movie. Don't know if I want to.

If I ever become a director, I plan to make a 11-hour, 3-volume version that contains the whole damn epic, including the gods, so that no one will ever even think another movie about the Trojan War existed.

I just took the final for my Greek Mythology and I can say it was one of the best classes I've ever taken. I plan on reading the Iliad over the break. Comments in a month.

I love The Iliad. It used to be a goal of mine to adapt it into a movie. Once I found out they were making "Troy," I pretty much abandoned that goal. I didn't like the movie, though, so maybe a definitive Iliad film should still be made.

Sorry to dissapoint, but I couldn't stomach the Iliad. I don't know what kind of english major I am, but I just don't dig epic poems. This and the Aenied were a bit of a snooze to me. I tried so hard to like it. I really did. I will say that Fitzgerald's translation is pretty delicious.

You do know English majors work with words and stuff, right?

The Odyssey is excellent as well....I love both

I love the Iliad. We tried to convince my classical teacher to take us on a field trip to see Troy just for the hell of it, but never did. I can't believe they took out the gods, they're way too involved. I'd love to see it made into a good film...

Has anyone read Edith Hamilton's Mythology? It's an excellent reference - or a good introduction for people unfamiliar with mythology.

I was also disappointed with Troy. I think it would be extremely challenging, if not impossible, to make a great movie from the Illiad or the Odyssey. It just seems like it would be difficult to include the gods without making it cheesy. But maybe it just needs a better director, script, etc.!

(My freshman year in college) I enjoyed reading The Iliad, as well as The Aenead (SP), but I especially enjoyed reading Dante's Inferno.

Are you serious?! No one gave me the memo.

It's probably better to read them within the context of Greek and Roman civilizations classes. There is a lot going on there, and just reading them alone, without some other things being taught, leaves out a lot of things you might not pick up on or appreciate otherwise.

All you would have to have to make a great Iliad movie is the money to fund it, the vision to power it, and the balls to go for it completely, on every single aspect.

If I ever get the means, it will be done.

Should I mention I read them for my Western Civ class??

heh, sorry, I misunderstood and thought you just meant you read them in an English class or something, removed from everything else related to the context of the poems and whatnot. I dunno, I like a lot of the messages and life-lessons in the story.