The Iliad Books 1 & 22

Books 1 and 22 of the Iliad were more interesting to read and definitely a truer portrayal of the anthropomorphisms of the Greek gods. The one thing that struck me as being a common trait of the gods was just how capricious they were. Hector is the son of the king of Troy; he is noble, a good warrior, a good husband and father, yet Zeus decides to let him die because he doesn't want a quarrel with his daughter Minerva, who wants Troy to fall. Athena herself is petty and jealous. She decides to avenge her losing a beauty contest by completely destroying the man who chose Aphrodite over her, as well as his entire city and his father's kingdom. I felt a lot of pity for Hector while reading of his death. He didn't do anything wrong, he was just trying to defend his city and protect his people and he ends up dying because someone up there felt like it.
Another thing that struck me while reading the Iliad is just how long winded everyone is. It seems like each character has the ability to extrapolate for hours and fight simultaneously. For example, Achilles' and Hector's exchange about what will be done with Hector's body seems like it went on long enough that maybe someone could've shot Achilles from the walls of Troy. A little unrealistic. Also, at the very end of Book 22, where Hector's wife is expounding upon the various trials and tribulations her fatherless child will now face, it seems a tad long winded for someone who just fainted and fell off a battlement. All in all, rather amusing.