Black Ships Before Troy

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1993

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-19

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Quiz

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

The title of the Iliad comes from the Greek word for “Troy.” Why does Sutcliff’s title include both the Greeks (the black sails) and the city they will destroy?

Compare the relationships of Oenone and Paris and Achilles and Patroclus. What role do betrayal and redemption play in them?

Does a strong sense honor lead characters to honorable or dishonorable actions? Why?