Question

What is the reference made by Achilles in the Iliad with the statement, "It drips down our throats sweeter than honey and mushrooms up in our bellies like smoke" (line 245)?

Answer 1

Achilles' statement in the Iliad is a metaphor for desire and ambition, foreshadowing his and Ajax's fates and reflecting on the dual nature of triumphs that are intensely satisfying but can lead to downfall.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement by Achilles in the Iliad, "It drips down our throats sweeter than honey and mushrooms up in our bellies like smoke" (line 245), is a metaphorical reference to desire and ambition that consume human beings. Achilles, a character in Homer's epic poem, is seen playing a dice game with Ajax, which foreshadows the personal fates and intertwined destinies in the narrative. The metaphor illustrates how aspirations and triumphs can elicit an intense, pleasurable feeling, yet also grow uncontrollably and lead to potential downfall or tragedy, as seen in the broader context of the poem and ultimately in the fates of both Achilles and Ajax.