Final answer:
True, The Iliad focuses on a brief, intense period of the Trojan War rather than the entire conflict, presenting a cohesive and powerful narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that The Iliad only tells the story of a small part of the Trojan War is true. Homer, the author of The Iliad, chose to focus on a short and intense period of the war instead of covering the entire conflict.
Specifically, The Iliad concentrates on the rage of Achilles and the events that happen during a few weeks in the final year of the Trojan War.
By doing so, Homer creates a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end that fits the dramatic structure of classic Greek epics and tragedies.
This approach differs from other epics such as the Cypria and the Little Iliad, which cover different aspects or a broader scope of the Trojan War's events. Homer's selective focus on a condensed storyline presents a more cohesive and powerful narrative.