Classical mythology is a tremendous influence on art and literature. Read Homer’s description of the Shield of Achilles from Book 14 of the Iliad, and compare it to W.H. Auden’s poem “The Shield of Achilles” (links to both below). What is the relationship between the myth and the poem? How is the poem using the myth to express a truth about human history and/or behavior?
Iliad, Book XIV (The Shield of Achilles): http://www.u.arizona.edu/~afutrell/w%20civ%2002/iliad.html (Links to an external site.)
W.H. Auden, Shield of Achilles: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/shield-achilles (Links to an external site.)
