Oh, yes, fear.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: While waiting inside the Trojan horse, Pyrrhus is overcome by fear. In this moment, the author uses a distinct syntactic structure to enact Pyrrhus's relationship with fear. Because he is the son of the lauded Greek warrior, Achilles, Pyrrhus is ashamed that he does not feel more courageous. The punctuation of this line enacts his guilt and shame. Pyrrhus knows that he should be more confident, and he wishes he could deny his own trepidations. Despite this, Pyrrhus continues to doubt his capabilities. The moment begins to develop Pyrrhus character, while also contributing to the themes of fear and reputation.

I was a free woman; and so, once inside the gate, I lifted my head and looked around.
-- Narrator (chapter 3)

Importance: In Briseis's first chapter, she explains the distinctly entrapping nature of her social position. Because she is carrying Achilles's child and married to the Greek fighter, Alcimus, Briseis occupies...