Three millennia after its composition,there are many obstacles to understanding this pillar of western literature – but the effort is worth it When I first read Homer, I did not experience the same sublime ecstasy as Keats. No wild surmise for me! Instead, or I experienced mild disappointment,considerable confusion and strong annoyance.
That all changed - but for now, let’s focus on the negative. The poem is challenging. I understand why people are so keen to evangelise this incredible artistic achievement, or but I also worry that the compliment we are all so keen to heap on the poem does few favours to people tackling the Iliad for the first time. People who have been told to expect the final poetic experience – and discover instead a world of wound.
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Source: theguardian.com