Should I read the Odyssey or Iliad first?

Should I read the Odyssey or Iliad first?

The Iliad is the earlier work (it was written first) [1]. Also the events in the Odyssey are a direct consequence of what happens in the Iliad and the reader of the Odyssey is assumed to know the summary of the plot in the Iliad and who the main characters are. So it would come natural to read the Iliad first.

What should you read before the Iliad?

Before the Iliad I would suggest: Theogony – This was written by Hesiod , a Greek poet active in the 7th/8th century BCE. This cool poem breaks down the origins and genealogies of the Greek gods.

Is the Iliad and the Odyssey hard to read?

For the first-time reader, probably the hardest thing about Homer’s Iliad is its language. And once you get past the weird cultural details (reading the introduction to your edition will help), the poem is extremely accessible. The characters are vivid, and every reader will find someone to identify with.

What should I read after Iliad and Odyssey?

1 The Iliad by Homer.

2 The Odyssey by Homer and translated by Emily Wilson.

3 The Aeneid (Robert Fitzgerald translation) by Virgil.

4 Posthomerica by Arthur Sanders Way (translator) & Quintus Smyrnaeus.

5 The Tale of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green.

Do I need to read The Iliad before the Song of Achilles?

Although knowledge of The Iliad is not necessary, if you are familiar, even vaguely, with the Epic Tradition, the book becomes highly lucid and even more loveable; it’s much like watching a spin-off of your favourite TV show and understanding and appreciating all the subtle references.

Should I read the introduction to The Iliad?

If you use this handbook while you read the Iliad, I recommend that you read the introduction to the list and look through it before you start reading, and then use it afterward if you get confused about who is who. If you are content with a quick overview of the book, you probably don’t need it.

Do I need to read the introduction to the Iliad?

Do I need to read the Iliad before the Song of Achilles?

Is Homer’s Iliad easy to read?

Since the Iliad has been translated into modern English, people often find it surprisingly easy to read. Look for a translation that includes footnotes, a glossary, and other helpful features that may help to make the reading process even easier for you.

Should I read the introduction to the Iliad?

What should I read after the Odyssey?

1 The Greek Plays by Aeschylus, Euripides & Sophocles.

2 The Aeneid (Robert Fitzgerald translation) by Virgil.

3 Collected Ancient Greek Novels by B. P. Reardon (translator)

4 Paradise Lost by John Milton.

5 The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. You’ve picked the best books to read after (or alongside) The Odyssey.

What book comes after the Iliad?

First the Iliad, then the Odyssey, then the Aeneid, for two reasons: As far as the plot is concerned, that’s the correct chronological order. The Trojan war—or rather a synopsis of it—is narrated in the Iliad and it is followed by Odysseus’ journey and Aeneas’ escape.