Black Rage

In this post I want to point out a very significant piece of imagery within the epic so far. There are so many examples of the color black present to ignore this imagery. We read such imagery in descriptions of Achilles’ black blood, or Zeus’ black brow. Book 1 contains many of these, specifically Achilles’ “black sailing ship” (p. 10), “cloud-black Zeus” (p.11), “black and murderous” rage (p. 1), and the furious anger “like twin black thunderheads” (p. 4). I think this is meant to foreshadow or repeat the central theme of rage throughout the poem. In class we discussed how the poem is about rage, specifically the Greek form “menis.” However, divine menis is when a god experiences rage, and the consequences are disastrous for humans. Both Achilles and the gods are alluded to the color black. Perhaps the rage of Achilles will be just as disastrous to the Trojans, as would the menis of gods. Taking a further look into the meaning of the color, I found some interesting points. By definition black is the absence of color; it is also synonymous with evil or darkness, illustrating the severity of the rage in the poem. When I read this imagery, I picture storm clouds brewing and closing in on a specific turning point or climax to the story. As the reader I can sense that rage is building up for Achilles. He is absent from the scene of battle but something will draw him back, and his rage will be pronounced.