Blog - Court Theatre

Learning Guide: An Iliad

Check out these resources for academics, enthusiasts, and educators to support your learning and viewing of AN ILIAD.

Pre-Show Activity

History lives in objects. Consider and write about an important personal artifact to better understand AN ILIAD and The Poet.

Post-Show Activity

What song should be sung for the last time? Brainstorm, write — and maybe sing! — that song in this activity complementing AN ILIAD.

Post-Show Discussion Activity

Dive into discussion questions to explore themes and impressions of AN ILIAD.

Historical Background, Dramaturgy, and Design

Explore the historical context embedded in AN ILIAD, its dramaturgy, and the design of Court Theatre’s production.

Synopsis and Characters

Read a detailed synopsis of the play and get to know The Poet, the sole character of AN ILIAD.

Glossary of Gods, Greeks, and Trojans

Familiarize yourself with Gods, Greeks, and Trojans named and embodied in the Poet’s retelling of AN ILIAD.

“One of the Great[est] Performances…Ever in Chicago”

AN ILIAD is "captivating and chilling" and "more than a play" - find out why!

In Conversation: Playwrights Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare

Adaptors Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare turned a spontaneous idea into AN ILIAD. Learn how improvisation, urgency, and a shared passion for timeless stories transformed a classic into a modern theatrical force.

The Homeric Question

Was Homer a single blind poet, a wandering storyteller, or merely a symbol of a poetic tradition spanning centuries? With archaeological clues, linguistic puzzles, and ancient gossip, the article uncovers the enduring enigma behind THE ILIAD and THE ODYSSEY.