...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 is, god or human, they are bound to their fate, and it is the gods who must be the mediators and deliverers of this fate. Throughout...
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...1110 Q: Consider the role of the gods in the Iliad. Why are they given credit or blame for so much of what happens at Troy? Does Zeus have ultimate control over the fate of these mortals? To what extent do the mortal characters exercise free will in their choice of actions? Be sure to discuss at least three separate episodes from the text to support your argument. In Homer’s The Iliad, divine intervention is a recurrent theme in the epic. The epic portrays a world in which humans and Gods somewhat co-exist even though they are in very different worlds. We witness that heroes in The Iliad go through many troubles when “fate” and the Gods operate their lives. In Homer’s epic, the Gods intend to constantly change the lives of the people and manipulate events that take place on earth for their own self interest or any other reason. We see many recurrent patterns throughout the epic between the Gods, fate, and the heroes. For example, the Gods play a very important role in Troy. Certain gods are on each side of the war and they all have a reason, albeit petty, to help a side. Hera, the patron goddess of women, and Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, are opposed to the Trojans because a Trojan said that Aphrodite was more beautiful than them. Poseidon, the god of the sea, is also against the Trojans, because the king of Troy once enslaved him and made him build the city's walls and then refused to pay Poseidon. Although Apollo, god of poetry, archery, and healing...
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...Emmett Oh Lyke 4:00 ESSAY 1 FATE IN THE ILIAD Fate is unavoidable, regardless of the effort one puts into changing or avoiding it. Fate in Homer’s ILIAD is depicted as a one way freeway with no exit ramps. No matter what the characters do, once they set foot on their path there is no going back. Dr. Harvey has brought forward the idea in lecture that any speech, simile, or any other small part in the epic can be a microcosm to a greater theme in the text. One of the greater themes that continued to appear throughout the text was fate’s inevitability superseded all other forces in the ILIAD. Fate is the most powerful force in the ILIAD because it shapes the events and decisions that occur throughout the epic. Fate shapes events and decisions by overpowering the will of gods and great warriors, as well as overwhelming characters to the point where they concede to their own fate. Fate`s power is also preserved by the very characters it acts upon. Throughout the Epic, the gods seem to be unable to change fate. For example, the gods are unable to save Hector and Achilles, despite loving them both, as fate has to run it`s course. The Homeric simile described below is a microcosm to these examples. In Book 11 of Homer’s epic, the Acheans are able to drive Trojan forces into a retreat caused by a strong charge put on by Agamemnon. During the Trojan retreat, Agamemnon knocks Isus and Antiphus off their fleeting chariot, killing them, and stripping them of their armor...
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...Topic: how fate and freewill were incorporated into the story and the roles they play Fateful Freewill Throughout the development of the world to how we see it today, the one thing that has united all societies and cultures is a belief in a higher power. Not all cultures believe in the same higher power but they all believe in something, they can all relate to believing in something bigger than themselves, not necessarily something they can see everyday and a tangible idea, but having faith in something. In the Greek culture and belief system the gods play a very important role in determining your fate. In Greek mythology, the Greek Gods are always very key, important figures throughout the story often becoming involved and interfering in the characters lives personally. The gods determine the paths of the characters—creating the characters’ fate. But the characters have to choose to embark on the journey, symbolizing their choice in free will. In the story of The Odyssey told by Homer, the gods have consistently intervened in the lives of Telemachos, Penelope, and Odysseus guiding them along their path chosen by the Gods but letting them have some choice in it. In some situations it is necessary for the Gods to intervene. In order to get the ball rolling for Telemachus, Athene had to go into disguise and persuade Telemachos to go on the journey. It was Telemachos fate to be reunited with his father, but it was his own freewill to choose how to go on a quest to find...
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...appreciation of ancient literature can be acquired. Since man first began engaging in religious practices, stories with religious elements and themes have resulted. These two stories are no exception. Ancient Greek and Roman religious themes are present in both The Aeneid and Agamemnon. Both stories revolve around the philosophy that what we do with our lives is controlled by the Gods and to disrespect and dishonor the Gods is blasphemy, which will automatically lead to punishment. Both stories are similar in that the Gods are the beholders of the ultimate supreme power and the deciders of our hero’s fates. In other words, if it is not written by the Gods, then it is not the will of the Gods, and is therefore not to be done. It is also apparent in both stories that pleasing the Gods is everything to the characters and ultimately a deciding factor in their roles. Without the acceptance and pleasing of the Gods, the characters see their actions as not worthy and show the Gods ultimate power to keep them in line to fulfill their desires. It is seen as best to follow what the Gods lay down for your fate rather than deal with the unpleasant consequences ahead if you do not. In the story The Aeneid, Aeneas is faced with temptation and has to decide...
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...the actions of mere mortals? Do the gods determine the successes and failures? Is the outcome solely a matter of fate? Some may believe that mortals have free will, but after a quick skim of the Iliad, this belief is clearly shown to be false. Humans are not given control over their destinies; however, if this is true, then what are these destinies controlled by? Fate seems to be the only answer, yet, can fate alone stop a god from changing outcomes for their personal gain? In the Iliad, gods and humans are shown to have a varying degree of control on the outcome of human life and death. The true controller of the outcome of success vs. failure, and life vs. death, will be analyzed with...
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...Iliad Essay Topic #1 Fate and actions of the gods all too much affect the characters of the Iliad. Surprisingly enough too there is an actual level of control the stories heroes have concerning their fates. These fates allude to being random happenings in the story. Instead it all begins with a choice that sets fate on its way to certainty. Even though the gods intervene in every way it seems throughout the story, they are only there to guide fate along its path making sure nothing happens too soon or too late. Homer’s Iliad illustrates the gods to having ultimate control in the end over any mortals existence, but not until the final requirements of that particular fate have been fulfilled. To begin with is perhaps the biggest character of the Iliad, being Achilles. This characters fate is to basically win the Trojan War for the Achaeans and make immortal glory for his name dying honorably in battle. Before any of this came about Achilles though, he was built up to acquire this everlasting glory. By fate determining him to be this great warrior, Achilles mother Thetis, takes action to avoid her sons predetermined death. Thetis dips her son Achilles in the river of Styx holding him by the heels. (Achilleid 1.1340). This decision affects Achilles by setting the stage for him to become the greatest of Greek warriors by making him invulnerable. Even though Thetis is just trying to protect her son from the inevitable doom, instead she subconsciously prepares him herself. Despite...
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...n Sophocles' Oedipus the King, the themes of fate and free will are very strong throughout the play. Only one, however, brought about Oedipus' downfall and death. Both points could be argued to great effect. In ancient Greece, fate was considered to be a rudimentary part of daily life. Every aspect of life depended and was based upon fate (Nagle 100). It is common belief to assume that mankind does indeed have free will and each individual can decide the outcome of his or her life. Fate and free will both decide the fate of Oedipus the King. Both sides of the argument can be greatly supported. The Greeks believed in the idea that personality of the individual greatly affected his or her life (Nagle 120). Their personality was what decides their own free will. A wise man will make good decisions in his life; an ignorant and stubborn man won't be so fortunate. The character traits of a person have a certain positive or negative affect on the choices that he or she makes. For Oedipus, one of these attributes was the desire for knowledge and truth about his own existence. This driving force in the play led to the truth of his origin. This ties in with his own aspect of free will. His free will is based on his drive for knowledge. Throughout the entire play, Oedipus pushes Tiresias, Creon, Jocasta, the oracle, the messenger, and the shepherd for information regarding his beginnings. Each one of these characters in some way or form refused to give him a thorough answer...
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...the immortal gods of Mount Olympus respond to grief the same way as humans do. It is true that the gods in The Iliad express grief over the death of their children similarly to humans. The gods argue, forgive, and reason much like the mortals in the story. Their behavior is analogous to human behavior and subsequently facilitates the reader’s understanding. However, Zeus and Achilles do not respond to grief in the exact same way. Although they portray corresponding expressions, Zeus and Achilles have dissimilar reactions to grief. If readers misunderstand the capabilities of gods and humans then they will be unable to recognize the difference between gods and humans reacting to grief over the death of...
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...defines fate as an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or end. This therefore goes against the definition of free will, the ability to make choices that are not controlled by fate or God.This is a constant theme in Oedipus the King where we question if his path was pre-determined or chosen willingly. “Listen to me and learn some peace of mind:no skill in the world,nothing human can penetrate the future.”(780-782; Fagles). This is a quote derived from Jocasta who is Oedipus’ wife and mother, and she supports the idea where our paths and destiny were already chosen. Throughout this play we learn which one truly prevails. “Fate was the will of the gods, a reality that could not be opposed, ritually...
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...In ancient Greece, the people praised the Greek gods like the all powerful Zeus, Hera, and Apollo. There are many stories that focus on Greek gods, some people believe them to be true and some see them as stories. The Greek god Apollo focused on fate, plagues, and healing. He was considered the most Greek god of all gods. In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles uses the Greek god Apollo to show his influences on human life in how he controls fate, how plagues can change people actions, and healing in their lives all in a mythological view. Sophocles uses Oedipus as an example for being born into tragedy was his fate. Before Oedipus was born he was prophesied to kill his father and to marry his mother. Fate is an unpredictable circumstance as Jocasta says, “Why should anyone in this...
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...Gods Personify Us “We everlasting gods… Ah what chilling blows we suffer-thanks to our own conflicting wills-whenever we show there moral men some kindness’’ It is obvious that the gods and goddesses are very important in traditional Greek Culture. The whole cause of the Trojan War is based around the fact that even gods can feel emotions such as jealousy, anger and vengeance. The gods are used by Homer to add twists on an otherwise standard plot of war. During the epic, there are times when gods and goddesses alike influence the war by infuriating the soldiers in order to have them continue fighting. Other times, some gods or goddesses removed certain characters so as to avoid death. The gods do not maintain order among humans nor among themselves. They are at times completely selfish and the ones who mostly suffer the consequences of their selfish meddling are the mortals. The mortals pray to and make sacrifices to the gods, yet do not fully understand that their lives are in the hands of fate and fate alone. The gods’ actions are never a result of what is just or fair. They are not interested in the good of anyone, but only in their personal interests. In furthering their interests they use whatever mortals serve their purpose. The gods dabble in the life of man and routinely thwart any attempt for him to entirely forge his own future. The mortals in question are necessary only in so far as their use to the gods and when the gods will or desire is achieved; the...
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...12/10/08 Title: Oedipus the King: A Story of Fate Thesis: “Oedipus the King” by is generally a story about fate as it deals with its unalterable nature and the consequences that come with the attempt to change it. I. Fate and its Characteristics A. Characteristics of Fate 1. Fate as controlled by external force 2. Insignificance of man in relation to fate B. Fate according to Sophocles 1. Determined nature of fate 2. Freedom of man as manifested through his attitude towards destiny II. Oedipus A. His destiny as determined before his birth 1. The attempt of King Laius and Queen Jocasta to alter his fate 2. The futility of such attempt B. Oedipus’ lack of knowledge as instrumental in determining his fate C. Oedipus’ negative attitude towards his destiny D. Man’s attitude as uncontrolled by fate but possesses the power to influence 1. The role of arrogance and self-confidence in the fulfillment of the prophecy 2. Arrogance as a result of experience 3. Self-confidence as contributed by the people of Thebes 4. Arrogance and self-confidence as his response against fate III. Fate according to Epictetus A. Fate must not be feared and wanted B. Fate must be accepted with grace and dignity C. Fate must be embraced as the will of gods D. Refusal to accept fate results in tragedy Name: Marc Krishke ...
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...King: The Hero of Personal Autonomy in Inevitable Fate Tragedy Abstract: Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, who was one of Athens’s three great tragic dramatists, is an indisputably classical tragedy in literature history. And Oedipus’s tragic fate, murdering his father and marrying his mother, is the most controversial point. This paper mainly analyzes the conflict between Oedipus’s spirit of personal autonomy and the oracle predetermined fate, and the causes of Oedipus’s inevitable tragedy. Key word: Oedipus; personal autonomy; fate; inevitability Introduction Oedipus the King is based on a Greek myth that Oedipus killed his father and married to his mother, showing the Greek tragedy’s conflict rich of typical significance...
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...All of his family members died brutal deaths and couldn't escape their destiny. The tragic hero went past his ordinary behavior and thought and therefore punished for deifying the decrees of fate made by the gods. Antigone, however is adulated for sacrificing herself to perform the burial rites for her brother, saying that the state can not overrule the religious law. This can be shown when she tells Creon "I have not sinned before God. Or if I have, I shall know the truth in death. But if the guilt Lies upon Creon who judged me, then, I pray, May his punishment equal my own." (line 725) and when she tells Ismene "Apparently the laws of the god mean nothing to you."(line 63). Sophocles ultimately has God as a decider on...
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