Zeus looks away, and Poseidon comes up out of the sea.
The Iliad · C1+
Book Thirteen: Poseidon at the Ships
Concession (albeit, much as, granted that, be that as it may), turn a blind eye, keep a low profile, lose your nerve, put to the test, past your prime and give as good as you get: C1+ grammar for the day the sea god helped the Greeks.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
Finally! Someone on the Greek side!
The story
After Homer’s Iliad, Book Thirteen
Thinking the battle was settled, Zeus turned a blind eye to the ships and looked away at other lands. Poseidon, who loved the Greeks, drove his chariot across the sea; much as he loved them, he would not fight his elder brother openly, so he kept a low profile and helped them in disguise, albeit with all his strength.
Idomeneus, the old king of Crete, met his squire Meriones, who had broken his spear. Granted that he had broken it, said Meriones, that didn’t make him a coward. Idomeneus agreed: in an ambush, where courage is put to the test, the coward loses his nerve, but Meriones never would.
They went to the left, where the Greeks were weakest, and Idomeneus killed Othryoneus, Asius and Alcathous. When young Aeneas came, Idomeneus knew he was past his prime. Be that as it may, he did not run: he called his friends, and they stood together.
In the centre, Hector insulted Ajax, and Ajax gave as good as he got, while an eagle flew over him on the right.
The Trojans never have enough of war. A man gets tired of everything else.
Concession
PHILO
Much as he loved the Greeks, he wouldn’t fight Zeus. He helped them, albeit in secret. Granted, I broke my spear… He was old. Be that as it may, he didn’t run.
SOPHIA
much as + clause = although (very much). albeit + adjective / adverb / phrase, not a full clause. granted (that) = I admit (but…). be that as it may = even so (fixed subjunctive).
Turn a blind eye; keep a low profile; lose your nerve; put to the test
MARCOS
Zeus turned a blind eye. Poseidon kept a low profile. In an ambush, the coward loses his nerve: that’s where courage is put to the test.
SOPHIA
turn a blind eye to. keep a low profile. lose your nerve (not nerves). put something to the test.
Past your prime; give as good as you get
DEMETRIA
Idomeneus was past his prime. And Ajax gave as good as he got.
SOPHIA
be past your prime / in your prime. give as good as you get = answer back with equal force.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| much as + clause; albeit + phrase | formal concession | He helped them, albeit in secret. |
| granted (that); be that as it may | admitting a point | Be that as it may, he didn’t run. |
| turn a blind eye; keep a low profile | not looking; not being noticed | Poseidon kept a low profile. |
| lose your nerve; put to the test | courage | In an ambush, courage is put to the test. |
| past your prime; give as good as you get | age; answering back | Ajax gave as good as he got. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. ___ as he loved the Greeks, he wouldn’t fight Zeus openly.
2. Poseidon helped them, ___ in secret.
3. ___, I broke my spear. That doesn’t make me a coward.
4. Zeus turned a blind ___ to the battle.
5. In an ambush, the coward loses his ___.
6. Be that as it ___, he did not run.
B · Write
Write the correct form of the word in brackets, or the missing word.
7. Poseidon kept a low .
8. An ambush is where courage is put to the .
9. Idomeneus was past his .
10. Ajax gave as good as he .
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “He agreed, albeit he was angry.”
12. “Much as I admire him, I can’t agree.”
13. “At the last moment, he lost his nerves.”
Now play Book Thirteen yourself!Play the gamebook →