...To begin, Homer employs thematic details to achieve the product of the Trojan War narrative in the Iliad by implementing impersonal characters and interchangeable details. Homer does not exclaim any date or year in any point of the text to link the Trojan War to reality. Nor does Homer acknowledge the connection to what is happening in Greece while the war is in progress. The lack of significant details relays that this story is in the realm of fiction rather than fact. Furthermore, Homer continues detaching the world of the Iliad from reality by using the names of characters and places interchangeably. As the author, Andrew Dalby points out throughout the Iliad, the name Paris and Alexandros interchangeably replace one another. These follies...
Words: 306 - Pages: 2
...Who is Aeneas and how does he connect Homer (Iliad) to Roman Mythology The Story of Aeneas has been the basis of Roman Literature. He is portrayed and often referred to as the first Hero of Rome. But who is Aeneas? Aeneas was a nobleman and a demigod as well (Demigod is a mythological being who is partly divine and partly human). His father was Anchises, a member of the Trojan Royal Family. His mother was Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty and pleasure, who is also known as Venus in roman Literature. Aphrodite was intrigued by Anchises when she saw him on the hills of Mount Ida that she seduced him and decided to bear his son, Aeneas. Aeneas was raise by nymphs until he was sent to live with his father at a young age (5 in roman mythology, 10 in Greek Mythology). Anchises was sworn to secrecy about his son being a demi god however he decided to break this promise, and after doing so, Anchises was struck by lightning and left blind as a punishment. As the Greeks invaded Troy, Aeneas is seen as being hesitant and not joining the war immediately. As Roman mythology states, Aeneas joined the war after the Greeks stole his cattle. Another reason why Aeneas did not join the war immediately was a personal conflict he had with King Priam of Troy. Aeneas did not receive the appropriate glory for being a member of the royal family, and had a dispute with Priam about this. Aeneas later on married Creusa, who was the daughter of Priam, where they had a son named Ascanius. As the...
Words: 854 - Pages: 4
...different attributes to become valued in leaders. These cultural values are reflected in both the actions of a hero and in the heroic motivations. This paper focuses on the heroes of the Iliad, the Aeneid, Beowulf, and The Song of Roland and examines how historical events and cultural circumstances shaped the portrayal of the heroes in these works. Sabiduria, vol.1,1 Hero as a Reflection of Culture 1 Every culture has heroes. In works of literature, is an individual to be admired and emulated, and because of this he is the embodiment of the greatest virtues of the culture that created him. The ideals of every culture were shaped by the social conditions of the time and therefore different attributes became valued. To different degrees, the hero in a work is a result of not only the culture from which the hero comes, but also the culture of the author. Cultural values are reflected in both the actions of a hero and his motivations. As heroes, Achilles, Aeneas, Beowulf, and Roland reflect the values of the societies that created them. One of the oldest works of ancient literature is Homer‟s Iliad. Homer‟s works are dated to between 900 and 750 B.C. (Krieger, Jantzen and Neill 106). Although the events of the Iliad take place during the Greek Bronze Age, the culture portrayed in Homer‟s works is that of Greek Dark Age (Redfield 99). The Dark Age was a result of the struggles that took place after the fall of the Mycenaean civilization (between 1200 and 1100 B.C.)...
Words: 3619 - Pages: 15
...introduced to the Iliad as no more then a friend of Achilles but dies as one of the great Achaean heroes of the Trojan war. Like many Greek Heroes it is because he dies that he achieves his heroism in the eyes of the ancient Greeks. His death leads to him being immortalized within the pages of the Iliad along side the likes of Achilles, Hector and Ajax. Patroclus death comes in the 16th book of the Illiad and with his final moments being an exchange of words between him and his killer Hector of Troy (Iliad,16.870-897). The exchange between Hector and Patroclus is one where heroes mock each other explaining why the other one is the fool. Before death takes Patroclus from the world he is given a gift, he is able to see into the future and gaze at the death of Hector. This is a privilege not granted to many heroes even Hector the greatest of all the Trojans is not granted this when Achilles forces him to Hades. Patroclus achieved what all heroes want a glorious death. Death on the battlefield is what a great shoulder need in order to instill his name into history. Even Achilles the greatest of the Greeks was told that he would be forgotten if he did not fight and die in the Trojan war. Through his death Patrolclus was able to achieve his heroism, as he went into battle knowing that he could die, wearing Achilles armour and was even fool people into thinking that he was Achilles. In the end a great death is the only sure way to become a hero in ancient Greece. The Iliad began with Achilles...
Words: 1186 - Pages: 5
...ILIAD The gods and goddesses took a huge place in the lives of Greek people. The gods were a great power, and provided clear explanations for all events. The Greeks thought that the gods help people in trouble and influence on all mans actions and thoughts working through human nature. Although Homer in The Iliad attached significant meaning to the gods intervention in the lives of the human characters I think that “If the gods were removed from the Iliad, the events would be largely the same”. The events, that were happened in the lives of main characters of the Iliad, basically were depended on their own particular traits of characters and behavior. Patroklos’s death is the plot moment in the Iliad. From this moment the events are on the move very quickly and getting fatal for the main characters of the poem - Achilleus and Hector. After Patroklos’s death Achilleus forgets about his offences , pride and speculations about fair actions. Now the most important thing in his life is to avenge Patroklos’s death. Hector is becoming the worst enemy for Achilleus , although he never wanted to fight against Hector and the Trojan as well. “...I am unwilling to fight against brilliant Hector...”(9.356). Now Achilleus is ready to fight in spite of threats of Apollo, who always stands behind Hector. Nobody and nothing can change his decision to take revenge. The deep human sorrow displays in his behavior. Achilleus wants to deaden his pain by means of killing his...
Words: 1558 - Pages: 7
...Matilda Dao English II 4th Period Ms. Sterling 6 November 2015 The Role of Women in the Iliad Since the beginning of time, women have been considered inferior to men. In The Iliad, it seems that the society is dominated by men. Women make few appearances in the book, but are crucial to the plot. When referring to the aspect of war, it’s obvious that men are the ones that participate, with the exception of some female goddesses. Some are used mainly for a comparison to the male characters. Though the women play very small roles, they play a big part in humanizing the men affecting their actions. Women are overshadowed throughout the course of The Iliad, but still...
Words: 863 - Pages: 4
...Foram Patel Writing Exercise 1 In the Greek epic, The Iliad, Homer shows a different side of love that exists between Andromache and Hector different from the erotic love, which exists between the many other characters in the epic, including Paris and Helen. In the Iliad, many instances of love are shown between multiple characters and in the majority of these encounters, love is shown as a merely a sort of erotic contract between a man and a woman; however, when Homer shows his readers the dialogue between Andromache and Hector, the true nature of love is revealed. In fact, Andromache speaks against Hector going out in the war, for the loss of him, to her, is not as great as him gaining honor and glory in the battle. To provide context, Hector is the only one left for Andromache in this world due to the bereavement Achilles has brought on her by killing her father, her brothers and leaving her mother to die by the arrows of Artemis herself. For Andromache, Hector is her mother, father, brother and her “blossoming” husband, and in this way Andromache would rather die before Hector does, so that she would not have to live in his absence caused her by his fall upon the battlefield as so many of her loved ones before him. In the Iliad, most characters display strictly the carnal aspect of love: for example Paris, after escaping from Menelaus with the help of Aphrodite, goes back to Helen and all that he wants from her is to go to bed with her. The love between Hector and Andromache...
Words: 427 - Pages: 2
...In the era of Homer, divine intervention was thought to be typical, and one of his foremost works, The Iliad, reflects this. Nearly all of the Greek gods are involved in the outcome of the Trojan War, which happens to be the background story of this epic poem. The gods are used by Homer to add twists on an otherwise standard plot of war. Evidently, the gods will be a powerful source of divine intervention and their actions certainly have significant outcomes on the Trojan War, and more importantly, the story of The Iliad. Zeus, very untypical of a Greek god in his lack of involvement in the Trojan War for selfish reasons, was portrayed as the father figure, being impartial and fair to both sides of the war. He remains this way to serve as a check for the other god's involvement in the war. Without the presence of fate controlling the inner circle of Olympus, it is likely that the activity of the Trojan War would have become chaotic, possibly even becoming a playground of war for the gods. The power of fate, above all of the other gods combined, is a power that not even divine intervention can prevent. This theme of fate and how it controls the god’s actions is quite befitting to the storyline of The Iliad. The Iliad, in essence, recounts the story of part of the tenth year of the Trojan War. It recounts of the anger of Achilles, the greatest warrior present at Troy, and of the background battle that is ensuing. The reoccurring theme in the Iliad is that no matter whom the character...
Words: 3197 - Pages: 13
... Using very limited clues and training as an ex-CIA operative, he tracks down these men all over Europe and rescues his daughter. This modern-day myth shares a very powerful cultural truth-value that we can see in ancient myths such as The Iliad and The Odyssey. The characters in these stories are driven by a strong love for somebody else and will do anything for those they love. This is true in society today, as we would do anything for those we love. In Taken, we only see this portrayed in one character. In these other myths, however, we see a multitude of heroes perform grand acts for those they love. In The Iliad, Menelaus brings together the Achaean armies to attack and conquer the mighty city of Troy for one reason: Love. His beloved wife, Helen, had been taken away by Paris of Troy to be his wife. In an effort to save his wife, he traveled across dangerous land and oceans to Troy where the Greeks fought in a war for 10 years. If not for love, a 10 year war because of a single man’s desire would seem absolutely absurd. However, we all can sympathize with Menelaus because we would do the same for somebody we loved with all of our hearts. This truth-value has been a part of every culture and even shows up another time in The Iliad. Achilles, the great Achaean warrior, refuses to fight because of a petty disagreement with fellow Greek Agamemnon. The Greeks get pushed back to the coast without the help of Achilles in battle. Achilles wants to help, but his pride holds...
Words: 768 - Pages: 4
...The Fate of the Gods Iliad considered as a masterpiece at all levels, Homer combines literally devices in his books to create a vivid image for the reader there by evoking the readers’ emotions. Homer set the scene by giving vivid details of every important warlord and the gods in the battle. Homer includes the role the warlords and the gods play in the battlefield at every stage. Not only does Homer characterize individual roles in Iliad, but also symbolizes the individual’s achievement in the battle by. Gives the details roles the gods play in the battle, which keeps the reader focus on the central conflict. In Iliad, most of the scene depends on the individual’s character decision including the gods. From book 11, it can be seen as Zeus, the head of the gods controls the progress of the battle by first raining blood on the Achaeans causing them to panic. In retrospect, Zeus sends Iris to deliver a message “Hector, son of Priam, Father Zeus Has sent me here with a message for you. As long as you see Lord Agamemnon storming to through the ranks and laying them low you should hold back and order other troops to engage the enemy” (p204, 220) , one of the Homer inclusion indicating the war inspired by the gods. The relationship of fate and human keeps the reader focus and in suspense as the wall of the Greeks is doomed to fall by Poseidon and Apollo. The fall of the war justifies Homer uses of prophecy to progress the plot of the poem personifying the involvement of the...
Words: 395 - Pages: 2
...The Use of Divine Intervention in the Iliad The Iliad is filled with many great scenes and themes. We get to experience the heart of battle and the triumph of victory. Another important aspect of the poem is the fact that it was one of the first tales told that gave us personal insight into the gods and goddesses and what their personalities were like. All throughout the story, we have close encounters with these devious players who seem to passionately take part in the affairs of mortal men and women. Analyzing the use of the gods actions in this poem gives us keen insight into the mentality of the Greeks at that time and how they viewed their religion and their way of life. Through examination of the poem one can attempt to answer whether or not the gods made the really important decisions in the story. Particularly we will focus our attention on Zeus, the king of the gods, and his son Apollo. We will attempt to determine how much of their influence played an integral part in the story. Divine intervention was a major variable in the equation of Homer s Iliad. The gods picked whom they would favor for different reasons. Except Zeus: As the symbol of supreme authority and justice, he makes judgement calls as to the other gods involvement in the war, remains impartial, and doesn t seem to get caught up in picking favorites. Even when his own son, Sarpedon, was about to die, Zeus chose to let the outcome go unaltered. We find him granting supplications but we really do not...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...Gods in the Iliad In the era of Homer, divine intervention was thought to be typical, and one of his foremost works, The Iliad, reflects this. Nearly all of the Greek gods are involved in the outcome of the Trojan War, which happens to be the background story of this epic poem. The gods are used by Homer to add twists on an otherwise standard plot of war. Evidently, the gods will be a powerful source of divine intervention and their actions certainly have significant outcomes on the Trojan War, and more importantly, the story of The Iliad. Zeus, very untypical of a Greek god in his lack of involvement in the Trojan War for selfish reasons, was portrayed as the father figure, being impartial and fair to both sides of the war. He remains this way to serve as a check for the other god's involvement in the war. Without the presence of fate controlling the inner circle of Olympus, it is likely that the activity of the Trojan War would have become chaotic, possibly even becoming a playground of war for the gods. The power of fate, above all of the other gods combined, is a power that not even divine intervention can prevent. This theme of fate and how it controls the god’s actions is quite befitting to the storyline of The Iliad. The Iliad, in essence, recounts the story of part of the tenth year of the Trojan War. It recounts of the anger of Achilles, the greatest warrior present at Troy, and of the background battle that is ensuing. The reoccurring theme in the Iliad is that no matter...
Words: 370 - Pages: 2
...I. Troy is the name of the legend in Homers epic poem the Iliad. It was a city that fought in the Trojan War for ten years. The city was conquered and destroyed by a Greek army that was led by a king named Agamemnon. According to Homers the Iliad, the Trojan War started because of the abduction of Helen, who was a queen from Sparta. The king of Troy Priam, his son Paris who was also prince of Troy was behind the abduction. The Trojan War was thought to have taken place during the Bronze Age, which was around 1200B.C. What we knew it as was Myceanaean that spread through Greece. This civilization had also developed a system of writing (LIVESCIENCE: The Legend of Troy). In Homer’s the Iliad it takes place in the tenth year of the Trojan War....
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...great man who is family-oriented. The motivation for Hector’s fighting is the responsibility to his family, as well as, the city. His parents are the leaders of Troy; his father is the king and his mother the queen. As he fights for the protection of his city, Hector is also protecting his parents. Moreover, his interactions with his wife and son show a high level of responsibility for their wellbeing. Hector shows his love for the family when he holds his child in his arms and prays for him. He prays to Jove their God to make his child follow his footsteps or even perform better. He continues to pray that he becomes the hero that his mother will be proud of when he goes battling to revenge the lives of their soldiers (McCarty, Ambrus & Homer, 2004). Hector is also a man who is performing his duties as required. He even goes ahead to criticize his brother Paris claiming that he lacks the courage to fight for his city even after leading it to the trouble that resulted in war. He criticizes Paris saying that he has brought disgrace upon himself for stealing another man’s woman....
Words: 1113 - Pages: 5
... to ask Zeus, king of the gods, to punish the Achaeans. He relates to her the tale of his quarrel with Agamemnon, and she promises to take the matter up with Zeus—who owes her a favor—as soon as he returns from a thirteen-day period of feasting with the Aethiopians. Thetis makes her appeal to Zeus, as promised. Zeus is reluctant to help the Trojans, for his wife, Hera, favors the Greeks, but he finally agrees. Hera becomes livid when she discovers that Zeus is helping the Trojans, but her son Hephaestus persuades her not to plunge the gods into conflict over the mortals. Analysis But while the poem focuses most centrally on the rage of a mortal, it also concerns itself greatly with the motivations and actions of the gods. Even before Homer describes the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, he explains that Apollo was responsible for the conflict. In general, the gods in the poem participate in mortal affairs in two ways. First, they act as external forces upon the course of events, as when Apollo sends the plague upon the Achaean army. Second, they represent internal forces acting on individuals, as when Athena, the goddess of wisdom, prevents Achilles from abandoning all reason and persuades him to cut Agamemnon with words and insults rather than his sword. But while the gods serve a serious function in partially determining grave matters of peace and violence, life and death, they also serve one final function—that of comic relief. Their intrigues, double-dealings, and...
Words: 2851 - Pages: 12
