Reading Options

I have chosen Homer's Iliad, found here, as my reading for week 2.
I am familiar with the story of the Trojan War, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, but I have never actually read the Iliad. I would like to delve into a longer story with unique characters with complex emotions. I want to understand how to write strong characters into my own stories, and I believe this is a good place to start.

Image of the painting Achilles Slays Hector, by Peter Paul Rubens, found on Wikimedia.

I would also like to read Ballads of Robin Hood, found here, as one of my readings for the semester. I only know of Robin Hood as a cartoon fox, and I would like to read a more mature version of the story. I would also like to read this story because it is written in ballad form, something with which I am unfamiliar. I find it neat that each ballad tells a specific part of the story. I am looking forward to reading this unit.

Lastly, I would like to read Folklore of the Holy Land: Moslem, Christian and Jewish, found here. I am interested by the juxtaposition of Muslim, Christian and Jewish stories, and I look forward to diving into the similarities and differences. I am quite unfamiliar with Middle Eastern tradition and folklore, and I hope this provides some perspective.