Stick Figure Literature

Book 4, Part 2.1: Agamemnon and His Troops

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 2 Comments

To Start from the Beginning, Click HERE.

To Read the Previous Post, Click HERE.

For Recaps of Book 2 & 3, Click HERE and HERE.

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This second perusal of the troops is one of the reasons why people think The Iliad was written by more than one author. It was not that long ago where we were introduced to all of the generals. Also, it’s a little awkward. I mean. Paris and Menelaus were just fighting. Agamemnon calls for war. And meanwhile, all of the Trojans are just STANDING there, twiddling their thumbs, waiting. HOWEVER, one could argue that we’re just about to plunge into battle, it’s a good idea to remind your audience of some of the Most Valuable Players, especially considering this was originally a tale that was being told outloud from memory to a crowd that may not be consistent. Repetition is important to remind people of what is going on and who is going on

Also, Nestor does not speak consistently at all, and while normally I am all about having consistent dialogue I have come to accept that Nestor just does what he likes and really doesn’t care what I think.

Also, I don’t really care about the Ajax’s (at least, not in The Iliad. Sophocle’s play is another story).

Also, also, Idomeneus finally gets to speak. Hooray for him!

Join us next time for Book 4, Part 2.2: Agamemnon is Annoying and Eris Awaits.

Book 4, Part 1.2: A Fine Fool

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 4 Comments

To Start From the Beginning Click HERE.
To Read the Previous Post Click HERE.

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This part of the story leaves us with a question. A question that may not have an answer. Does Agamemnon actually care about his brother? We haven’t really seen him show any affection to anyone. At all. Or is he simply using Menelaus’ wound to re-start the battle and convince his soldiers to fight? Honestly, I’m not sure. I think it would be easy to say he’s just using Menelaus since he’s an arrogant illegitimate son of a lady dog HOWEVER, there is something to this freakingout-panicattack-ohgods-Agamemnon that feels legit to me. I just don’t know. I tried to leave the comic open to both possible interpretations.

Also, poor Menelaus.

Also, also: here is another question. Who is the fine fool? Is it Pandarus, who is simply listening to what a god told him to do who wanted honor and glory just as any fine soldier would? Or is it the man shouting unreasonably at the front of a battle line? I will always love my little Panda-Pandarus, so… I am biased and you’ll know what my answer is. ;P

Also, also, also: Talthybius shows up way more often than I thought he would. It really makes me want to do a mini-retelling of that one play he shows up in (Hekuba, I think?). Maybe after I finish The Iliad…*daydreams of that wonderful day*

Last Also: if you can correctly guess who all of the soldiers are in the first panel I will give you a round of applause.

NEXT WEEK we will we back with Part 2.1: Agamemnon and His Troops. Nestor is there and some random dudes and pretty much Nothing. Happens. Huzzah?

To Read Agamemnon and His Troops Click HERE.

Book 4, Part 1.1: Meanwhile In Olympos

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 4 Comments

To Start From the Beginning Click HERE.
To Read Previous Post Click HERE.

 

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Annnnnnnd… We’re back! Huzzah! *throws confetti* It has been so long, my lovelies, so long *sobs loudly* *wails and gnashes teeth*

SO. Moving on.

  1. Never mess with Here. Like. For reals. She gets her way, yo.
  2. What’s up with Carthage being mentioned? Did Carthage even exist at this time? Whaaaaaat? If you are asking yourself these questions: this is sort of an inside joke to myself. In The Aeneid (the one by that kid Virgil) Juno/Hera absolutely loves Carthage (although, in attempts to save it, she comes up with a super sketch plan that ends in death and I’m not sure I would call it a success? but whatevs). BUT we know that years and years and years later there will be the Punic Wars, and Hannibal, and it all ends, ultimately, with Carthage being razed to the ground and destroyed forever by Jupiter/Zeus loving Romans. In my mind this is Jupiter/Zeus getting revenge on Juno/Hera for Troy all those years ago. This doesn’t entirely work because Troy is super, super Hittite but shhhhhh…
  3. Athena plays an odd part in this story and I’m not entirely sure what my thoughts are beyond that, but it’s interesting because she’s wayyyyy more important than Ares and spends a lot of time flying around, interacting with Mortals, making things happen. *ponders a moment*

ANYWAY. We have started Book 4! Hooray! *throws more confetti* We will return on Wednesday for Part 1.2: A Fine Fool.

To Read a Fine Fool Click HERE.

Happy New Year! and a Quick Update

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 1 Comment

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Happy New Year, lovelies! I know it’s been awhile 0_0 Don’t worry! I am working on a backlog. I’ve drawn up all of book 4 and I’m in the process of editing the photos, which is being more difficult than I would like it to be. HOWEVER, being that I’m working in retail land I’ll have very few hours the end of this month and we should be back on track either the last week of January or the first week of February. I do apologize for the gap in time *sobs inconsolably*

Have a good month and start to your New Year! Agamemnon and et al will be returning soon!

To Read Book 2 Recap Click HERE.
To Read Book 3 Recap Click HERE.
To Start Book 4, Meanwhile in Olympos Click HERE.

Book 3, Part 3.2: Sassy Helen is Sassy

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 2 Comments

To Start From the Beginning Click HERE.
To Read the Previous Post Click HERE.

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I KNOW IT’S LIKE A WEEK LATE *sobs* I have been having such a hard time getting used to this working 40+ hours a week in retail standing on concrete being nice to people all day. IT’S SO HARD.

Anyways. I’ll be doing the best I can, but with the holidays coming up I have no idea if I’ll be able to keep any sort of consistent schedule which I KNOW is terrible to do on a blog but I don’t see that I have much of a choice? Other than taking a hiatus which I don’t want to do because I feel like that’s too close to a death sentence. Wow. I’m dramatic.

ANYWAY.

Helen really is a sassy girl. I love it.Paris is ridiculous and hard to take serious. Although, I just finished reading By Helen’s Hand by Amalia Carosella and I love that she shows a different side to Paris.

And I know when Helen says Paris would be “speared to death” she’s talking about an actual spear but I can’t help but imagine Shakespeare showing up with a mug of ale and laughing about euphemisms. Oh, Shakespeare.

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To Read Happy New Year and a Quick Update Click HERE.
To Read Book 2 Recap Click HERE.
To Read Book 3 Recap Click HERE.
To Start Book 4, Meanwhile in Olympos Click HERE.

Book 3, Part 3.1: Aphrodite Intervenes

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 3 Comments

To Start From the Beginning Click HERE.
To Read the Previous Post Click HERE.

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Sorry this is a week late, my dears! Working 3 jobs caught up with me, as I picked up some extra shifts over the weekend and it pushed all of my plans over into a pile. I am going to step down from teaching for a little while (at least) while I try to get a handle on this double-retailing thing. I am not used to working to retail jobs at a time. It. Sucks. Don’t do it unless you have to, for reals.

ANYWAY. Wednesday we should *fingers crossed* be back on track and hopefully there won’t be anymore interruptions, but with Thanksgiving and Christmas/Yuletide on the horizon I cannot make any promises. However, I shall promise to do my best, because doing these posts are the only non-retail thing I really have in my life right now, so I need that.

I hope you have a good day my lovelies! I shall see you in Olympos on Wednesday.

To Read Sassy Helen is Sassy Click HERE.

A “Scary” Story

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 1 Comment

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Here is a random “scary” story in honour of Halloween/Samhain/Day of the Dead (etc) that happened this week. I find in interesting that this ancient Greek folktale is so similar to one of the Grimm German ones.

Amphimacus was (supposedly) from southwest Anatolia (Turkey). I don’t know whether he would have heard of Athens or not, but in this version he has not.

That is all for now! Have a good rest of your week, my lovelies. May it not be too stressful.

To Read Aphrodite Intervenes Click HERE.

Book 3, Part 2.2: Preparing for the Duel

~ TheNaomiRuth ~ 2 Comments

To Start From the Beginning Click HERE.
To Read the Previous Post Click HERE.

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I love how everyone is convinced Paris is going to lose the duel *cry-laughs*

My text says that Odysseus was thoughtful right in the middle of sacrifice-time and duel-time and doesn’t say why. Honestly, who knows with that man. He could be thinking about a speech, or some sort of plot, or dreaming about french fries. I know I would be.

Polydamas shows up (he’s in the panel with Diomedes). I’ve only drawn him sitting down and I kind of regret having him stand. I feel like he just always lounges around everywhere.

ALSO, if you need a reminder of who the Trojans are click HERE.

In the last panel Odin shows up. He really needs to be wearing a fabulous wizard hat, but I wanted one of his ravens to be sitting on top of his head (yes, that is a raven *ahem*). For those of you who don’t know, Odin sacrificed his eye in order to gain wisdom/knowledge. He is not actually in The Iliad, but when I imagined Zeus complaining about the burden of knowing things (which he was born with and didn’t need to sacrifice body parts for) Odin just popped up being all, “Really?” and I knew I had to sneak him in here. Mwahahahaha…

Next time we will actually be able to get to the dueling part. SPOILERS, Paris doesn’t die.

To Read a “Scary Story” Click HERE.
To Continue and Read Aphrodite Intervenes Click HERE.