The quarrel that started in Book One ends today.
The Iliad · C2
Book Nineteen: The End of the Quarrel
Discourse markers and register (admittedly, that said, in hindsight, for what it’s worth, to put it mildly, all the same, by the same token, as a matter of fact), let bygones be bygones and bury the hatchet: C2 language for the end of the quarrel.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
So everyone is friends again?
The story
After Homer’s Iliad, Book Nineteen
Thetis brought the armour of Hephaestus, and Achilles called an assembly. Let bygones be bygones, he said: he ended his anger. Agamemnon apologised, admittedly with a long excuse about the goddess Blindness. That said, it was an apology, and they buried the hatchet. In hindsight, the quarrel had been madness.
For what it’s worth, said Odysseus, the men couldn’t fight on empty stomachs. Achilles was not interested in breakfast, to put it mildly. Briseis wept over Patroclus: he had always been gentle with her. All the same, he was dead.
If Agamemnon was blinded by the gods, then by the same token Achilles’ anger came from them too. As Achilles drove out to battle, his horse Xanthus spoke: as a matter of fact, it said, he would die soon. “I know,” said Achilles.
I know it myself: I am going to die here, far from my father and my mother.
Conceding and contrasting
PHILO
“Admittedly, I took the girl.” The apology was half an excuse. That said, it was an apology. All the same, he is dead.
SOPHIA
Admittedly = I accept this is true. That said / Having said that = despite that. All the same = nevertheless.
Looking back; modest opinions; understatement
DEMETRIA
In hindsight, it was madness. For what it’s worth, the men need food. He wasn’t hungry, to put it mildly.
SOPHIA
in hindsight = looking back. for what it’s worth = a modest opinion. to put it mildly = understatement.
Logic and surprise; making peace
MARCOS
By the same token, his anger came from the gods. As a matter of fact, the horse spoke! They let bygones be bygones and buried the hatchet.
SOPHIA
by the same token = for the same reason. as a matter of fact = actually. let bygones be bygones; bury the hatchet = make peace.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| admittedly; that said; all the same | conceding and contrasting | Admittedly, I took the girl. |
| in hindsight; for what it’s worth | looking back; modesty | In hindsight, it was madness. |
| to put it mildly | understatement | He wasn’t hungry, to put it mildly. |
| by the same token; as a matter of fact | logic; surprise | As a matter of fact, the horse spoke. |
| let bygones be bygones; bury the hatchet | making peace | They buried the hatchet. |
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. Let bygones be ___.
2. They finally buried the ___.
3. ___, I took the girl. But the gods blinded me.
4. It was half an excuse. That ___, it was an apology.
5. He wasn’t hungry, to put it ___.
6. By the same ___, his anger came from the gods.
B · Write
Write the correct form of the word in brackets, or the missing word.
7. In , the quarrel was madness.
8. For what it’s , the men need food.
9. He was gentle. All the , he is dead.
10. As a matter of , the horse spoke.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “Having said that, the plan has advantages.”
12. “In hind sight, I was wrong.”
13. “As a matter of facts, I agree.”
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