Proving Ones Honor in The Iliad by Homer Essay

The Iliad, an ancient Greek classic poem by Homer, is set 10 years into the Trojan War. It is believed that the Gods, specifically Zeus, were fascinated by war and initiated the Trojan battle as a way to reduce the increasing mortal population (Cartwright, “The Trojan War”). The war, fought between the Greek and Trojan armies, would produce leaders on both sides who were their respective militaries greatest fighters. As such, several of the male characters in the Iliad display heroic characteristics. Each have prominent strengths and weaknesses which are obvious at many times throughout the conflicts played out in poem. Two key examples of such characters are Achilles and Hektor. These two characters have noticeable differences in their approach to heroism. But despite their differences and the fact that they are fighting for opposing forces, they have several similar traits as well. They both display behaviors that could be described as heroic.

Achilles views as demonstrated before, clearly shows the change that has taken place in him, where once he would leaped at an opportunity to battle for glory and honor, now he shows reservation. Achilles is reluctant to risk his life on a fool's errand, for glory and honor. He is disenchanted about honor and all life effort to gain honor no matter how great it might be. He felt they were nothing but the personal honor and glory of others. But, of course, Achilles never actually leaves, although he threatens

The concept of honour reverberates throughout both Troy and Book XXIV of the Iliad, this is clear in the two texts when addressing the idea of war and what it entails. War is seen a destructive force and yet to die during such is the highest honour, as they are serving their king and their country. The concept of nationalism and defending your own nation at the risk of losing your life is considered to be the highest as this act ensure that there is a significant place in history for your name and eternal recognition. This is further supported in the film Troy when Achilles chooses to fight in the battle of Troy despites his foreshadowed death, for Achilles is consumed with the notion of being remembered and to die with honour. This idea of Glory and Honour echoes throughout both pieces with the constant reflection of warfare equalling worthiness. In the film Troy throughout the battle between Achilles and Hector items of Hectors armour a removed piece by piece this is to reflect the stripping away of his glory and himself as a man. However it is apparent that the vengeful act of killing Hector relieve none of his tension and is still consumed by grief.

“The Iliad” epic of Homer occurs in the 9th year of a decade battle between the Achaeans and Trojans. This greater fight puts Achilles (of Achaeans) as well as Hector (of the Trojans) in direct war since they are the best fighters in their particular society and thus accountable for leadership and inspiration of their people. In the epic, Agamemnon the son of Atreus is the Greek Commander. Hector who displays the bravery of Trojan soldiers is a prince. Even though there were many protagonist within the epic, Achilles and Hector are the most crucial chaarcters. Bold and relentless and their better skill in war makes them heroes before their peers. Being heroes, both Achilles together with Hector share traits generally connected with any person of eminent valor like worth, honor as well as bravery. Similarly, their efforts to surpass their bounds, both of them are governed by fate through the compassion of the gods. Regardless of similarities as greater fighter heroes, the pair vary massively in personal inspiration. According to the writer Achilles and Hector are most valuable characters in the Iliad as they are revered and also respected as heroes by everyone of their public. Conversely, they differ by the manner that they had relations with their families, the technique that they used to lead their troops, how they interact with and view the supremacy of the gods. This exegetical essay will explore and discusses the similarities between Hector and Achilles of The Iliad.

Conflict is a natural, recurring problem throughout history. Wars span thousands of years, with conqueror after conqueror trying to overpower the other or gain control over the entire world; however, there is always a reason behind this brutal madness. Greek society and many other cultures have designated certain objects or philosophies that cause mankind to be involved in war, including Homer, who was one of the earliest writers to pinpoint the beginning of conflict. Through the use of similes and imagery, Homer’s Iliad depicts the idea that women, the gods, fate, and vengeance generate conflict with unyielding consequences. The choice of setting in the Iliad also supports his ideas that women cause conflict, by beginning the Trojan War.

The Iliad is a story in which many men should be recognized as great war heroes.

D. Lateiner said that: "The Iliad, an unpredictable classic." The poem itself is renowned for its compelling narrative, vivid imagery, poetic technique, psychological scope, and stylistic clarity. Iliad is well-known events in Greek mythology, which tells the story of the war between Greeks and Trojans at Troy. However, similes give Iliad and narrator of it an air of authority because it gives and shows that the poet has a detailed understanding of the events he is describing. The poet knows what the war looked like and what people behaved like. The poet knows about many more things than war and he is not limited by time. Moreover, these some reasons what makes the Iliad important and give Homer the Authority: age, quality, status, characters and authorial knowledge. It is the oldest surviving work of western literature, so it is preserved as a ‘first’ in the canon. The length of the poem, the literary features (including rhyme and rhythm in Greek), the narrative plotting, and its dramatic effects on the audience make Iliad a canonical work. Many generations have respected Homer including Greeks of later generations and great authors Milton. Iliad has been much translated and modern poets still engage with and rework Homeric poetry. In the ancient Greek context, the heroes and gods of the Iliad are immortalized in myths. The precision of detail and his powers of description show the author’s extensive overview. Homer, 'the father of poetry', continues to inspire modern intellectuals, poets, filmmakers, and

As Homer depicts a most interesting tale that starts at the end of the Trojan War, the Iliad begins with a quarrel between Agamemnon, fearless leader of the Achaeans, and Achilles, a fierce and deadly soldier. Unfortunately, when Achilles takes part in a battle that is not his to fight in the first place, Achilles and Agamemnon grow quite angry with each other. When Agamemnon is forced to give up his war prize because he insulted the priest of Apollo, he becomes jealous of the great success of Achilles in comparison to his own success. Agamemnon realizes that Achilles will now have more honor than him, so in turn Agamemnon demands Achilles war prize. Thus, while Homer appears to be portraying the fight between these two men as one over armies and authority, this argument is truly

According to Charlotte Higgins, the Iliad “tells us… about the atrocities and indiscriminate slaughter; about war’s peculiar mercilessness to women and children.” This is explored in the tale of Skamandrios, AKA Astyanax.

The Iliad is a heroic epic poem, which depicts the events of the Trojan war. As discussed in class it was written by Homer, a significant ancient Greek poet sometime in the 8th century BC. The story appears to take place in the 13th century BC, yet mirrors the standard of living of the Dark Age (Early Iron Age).1 There are assumptions made in Book 9 of The Essential Iliad about proper human behavior, specifically about proper behavior during time of war; pertaining to warriors. It was assumed that warriors would conduct themselves in a particular manner, according to what was proper. Assumptions about proper behavior were made about the following: glory, honor, gifts, friends, the gods, women, and the public.

Within The Iliad, there is an implication to present a world to the readers in which war is glorified and the gods have direct control of human fate. Through the presentation of two “blessed” protagonists, Aeneas and Achilles, the reader is able to observe the different ways in which this ballad intertwines and creates a depiction of the past world, which is real and filled with the supernatural manipulations of the gods. Throughout The Iliad, the main protagonists are chosen by the Gods in some way and have attained supplication because of either their relation in some way to the deities, or because they are preordained by fate to prove themselves in some way or form, regardless, they are still influenced by the power wielded by the extremely fickle Olympians.

The Iliad is one the most well known stories by the author Homer, it tells the story of the Trojan War and the story of a hero named Achilles whose mother Thetis dipped him into the river Styx as a child making him immortal in every place except his heel which was not dipped in the river. It takes place in the year 1250 B.C.E. the war itself lasts roughly ten years and happens in the kingdom of Troy which is ruled by King Priam and his sons Hector and Paris. The Trojan War all started because of the Gods who ruled from Mount Olympus, they were celebrating the marriage of Peleus (Mortal Human) and Thetis (Goddess of water), they later gave birth to a demi god Achilles.

The Iliad was composed more than three thousand years ago. Homer, the writer, had exceptional talents as a writer. He had a way of teaching a moral lesson through his characters. In the opening lines of Book 1, Homer announces his theme, the anger of Achilles. This theme remains present throughout the entire story. With aid from the Olympic deities, the Trojan War is shaped. After Achilles and the king Agamemnon feud, Achilles withdraws from war, not bothering to think about the consequences to the war. The anger of Achilles is even more evident when he faces Hector, the leading warrior of the Trojan army. Achilles kills Hector, and viscously mutilates both his dying wish and his body. In this story both glory and gore are exemplified. The

"The Iliad", an epic tale told by the famous Greek author Homer, is focused primarily on the Trojan War between the Greeks, or Argives, and the Trojans. This war was filled with bloody battles and a massive loss of life. Homer tells stories about a duration of time during this fighting, and not the entire war. He uses his story-telling abilities to focus the audience on the garish and sometimes mundane drudgery of war. Due to his removal from the actual time of these battles, his stories may be embellished or not completely accurate descriptions of what did or did not happen. Overall, however, the Iliad is believed to be mostly true.

     After Briseis is handed over to Agamemnon, Achilles calls out to his mother, the goddess Thetis. His mother could hear his weeping tears and she emerged from the sea. Achilles pleads with his mother that justice be served. He asks that Zeus might intervene so that the Achaeans might know suffering as long as Achilles does not fight. Zeus grants Achilles request and the Achaeans suffer tremendously throughout the war.