THE SCENE: One of the most distinctive things about Homer’s Iliad is the way it conjurs up visual metaphors of the action in a way that create an undeniable sense of immediacy.
THE TEXT: Now closer, closing, front to front in the onset till Paris sprang from the Trojan forward ranks, a challenger, lithe, magnificent as a god, the skin of a leopard slung across his shoulders, a reflex bow at his back and battle-sword at his and brandishing two sharp spears tipped in bronze he strode forth, challenging all the Argive best to fight him face-to-face in mortal combat.
Soon as the warrior Menelaus marked him, Paris parading there with his big loping strides, flaunting before the troops, Atrides thrilled like a lion lighting on some handsome carcass, lucky to find an antlered stag or wild goat just as hunger strikes – he rips it, bolts it down, even with running dogs and lusty hunters rushing him. So Menelaus thrilled at heart – princely Paris there, right before his eyes. The outlaw, the adulterer… “Now for revenge!” he thought, and down he leapt from his chariot fully armed and hit the ground.
But soon as magnificent Paris marked Atrides shining among the champions, Paris’ spirit shook. Backing into his friendly ranks, he cringed from death as one who trips on a snake in a hilltop hollow: recoils, suddenly, trembling grips his knees and pallor takes his cheek and back he shrinks. So he dissolved again in the proud Trojan lines, dreading Atrides.
– The Iiad, Homer, 8th Century BC
