Iliad Essay, Research Paper
The Iliad
The work of Homer was very important to the Greek Civilization; it gave the Greek a structure of personality to follow. It is assure that The Iliad?s roots reach far back before Homer?s time. Homer focused several characteristics of how their ancestors behaved and such behavior was to be passed on to the new generations. In The Iliad, Homer emphasized the role of the gods in the daily events, and how every happening was based of the desires of the gods. Homer also focused on the warrior characteristics, not just of the Argives, but also of the Trojans and how they were ought to be brave, courageous and show fearlessness in the face of the enemy.
Homer lived during the Greek Iron Age, but The Iliad took place during the Bronze Age. Throughout The Iliad, Homer made many remarks about weapons being made out of bronze. “So the clash of Achaean and Trojan troops was on its own, the battle in all its fury veering back and forth, careering down the plain as they sent their bronze lances hurtling side-to-side between the Simois? banks and Xanthus? swirling rapids.”(Book 6, line 1-5). This indicated that the Trojan War took place in the Bronze Age, since the army would have been the first institution to adopt new technology. Also during the Bronze Age, the Elites were brave warriors. In Homer?s time, the Elites were not warriors but politicians. It differ greatly, in their civilization, the type of ruling each one had.
The key element in the development and story of The Iliad is the extraordinary role of the polytheistic beliefs of the ancient Greek Civilization. Many of the situations in Homer?s work were produced by the active involvement of the gods in the human life. The book starts out with the statement that disclosed the clash between Agamemnon and Achilles, and then the question was asked, “What god drove them to fight with such a fury?” (Book 1, line 9). Insinuating that they would have never fought if a god had not gotten involved. As the question is answered, “Apollo the son of Zeus and Leto. Incensed at the king he swept a fatal plague through the army-men were dying and all because Agamemnon spurned Apollo?s priest” (Book 1, line 10-12). Here the argument is that because of one king, Agamemnon (king of Mycenae, Achaeans) fault towards Apollo?s priest caused two civilizations to war against each other. That is in the very beginning of the poem, suggesting of more divine intervention expected through the text. Most of the people in the story seem to believe that the gods predetermined most of their actions. “But the will of Zeus will always overpower the will of men,”(Book 16, line 805). This is a small constant reference that Homer made throughout the text pertaining to the ability the gods having control over mortal lives, actions, and consequences.
The gods were believed to toy with human life, as it was for their pleasure- to see destruction or the complete opposite. In Book 4, Zeus angrily says to Hera “Whenever I am bent on tearing down some city filled with men you love-to please myself- never attempt to thwart my fury?”(Book 4, line 47-49). It is clear here that Zeus, supreme god and king of Olympus, states that for enjoyment he is willing to destroy cities and killed people. There is nothing anyone could do in such situation, because Zeus was the god of gods and human life was insignificant to him. This is the reason why it was important for the Greek Civilization to keep the gods happy with temples, monuments and sacrifices. Sacrifices were very important in having the gods help the people or when asking the gods for a favor. In The Iliad, sacrifices were offered to gods in order to help one side defeat the other. Helenus, one of King Priam?s son and also a seer, told hector about a sacrifice to the Goddess Athena that would have helped them against the Argives.
Hector you go back to the city, tell our mother to gather all the older noble women together on gray-eyed Athena?s shrine on the city?s crest,?Then promise to sacrifice twelve heifers in her shrine, yearlings never broken, if only she?ll pity Troy, the Trojan wives and all out helpless children, if only she?ll hold Diomedes back from the holy city?”(Book 6, line 102-113)
Here it is clearly demonstrated that the Greeks were willing to give what ever they thought the gods wanted, in hopes that the gods would help them. Many of these sacrifices took place inside the temple the god they were trying to satisfy.
The Greeks believed that the gods also deference in opinion, as in The Iliad, some of the gods were on the Trojan side while others were trying to bring defeat to Troy. Different gods were interpreted as being allies for different armies, Apollo for the Trojans, and Athena for the Achaeans. In Book 4, the gods are conferencing at Olympus; Zeus spoke of how Hera and Athena were on the Argives side. “So, those two goddesses there are Menelaus? best defense, Hera of Argos, Boeotian Athena, guard of armies.”(Book 4, line 6-8). The gods would also use human to fight against each other, as Athena gave Diomedes (Tydide) power and strength so he would be able to defeat the Trojans. Diomedes fought the Trojans, killing all that crossed his path, he encounter with Aeneas. Aeneas was the Trojan?s greatest warrior; also son of Aphrodite whom was the daughter of Zeus and goddess of love. Athena had warned Diomedes that Aphrodite was going to intervene, so he was to attack her. “If Aphrodite daughter of Zeus slips into battle, she?s the one to stab with your sharp bronze spear!” (Book 5, line 46-47). This showed the despite the gods had among each other, and their affection for certain people. Some communities had the believed that some gods were going to be their protector and other their destroyer. The polytheistic beliefs of ancient Greek Civilization was a main characteristic, which model their way of life. They would praise to all different gods, and different gods were praised in different situation, as each god had a distinct power of his or her own.
Homer also focused on and detailed the torment and horrors of war, which was constant and normal throughout The Iliad. Homer?s description of such battles makes The Iliad work more enjoyable. “His breastplate could not save him, the bronze he always wore, and the lance impaled his guts?he gasped, convulsed and out of his well-made car the Trojan pitched??”(Book 13, line 463-465). There are many points in the book where battles are described with horrific details. Also, Homer illustrated the characteristics of men during battle, as they are brave and corageous under pressure. All the main characters in this story are strong and brave warriors, who are willing to die for their cause. None of the characters ever retreat from to the enemy, even when the enemy had the advantage on them. Showing how warlike the Greek?s ancestors were and the new generations were to be warlike as well.
The Iliad also showed the respect The Greeks had for their ancestors. Diomedes and a Trojan fighter, Glaucus, meet one-on-one for battle. The two warriors talk and taunt each other with arrogance and also talk about each other’s ancestors. Glaucus whom is the son of Hippolochus, begins a lengthy discourse on his own family history. During the course of Glaucus talk of his father and his ancestry, Diomedes realizes that their past ancestors were friends and allies. After learning of this Diomedes suggests that they call a truce among themselves. They will honor the respect that their fore-fathers had for each other, and steer clear of each other in the ongoing battle. They also agree to trade armor with each other, so that all the men may know that these two great warriors, Diomedes and Glaucus have made peace with each other and that neither will harm the other in any way. “Always be the best, my boy, the bravest, and hold your head up high above the others. Never disgrace the generation of your fathers. They were the bravest champions born in Corinth, in Lycia far and wide.”(Book 6, line 247-251). This was what Hippolochus told Glaucus before his depart to Troy, and he followed with pride. This is a representation of how the Greek?s were to respect their ancestry, as if it was a commandment.
This work reflected on many of the Greek?s moral behavior. The Iliad is considered to be the Greek Bible. It traces everything in the Greek culture, from their polytheistic beliefs, to their respect for ancestry. It modeled the way they lived and behaved. Homer also showed the importance to value honor and bravery.
Bibliography
the iliad-homer
Другие работы по теме:
Homer Essay Research Paper HOMERThere is no
Homer Essay, Research Paper HOMER There is no question that the writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey was one of the greatest poets in the history of Western Europe, but aside from this, very little can be said about him. Ancient Greek tradition, as well as a study of language and the style of the poems indicates that he probably lived and wrote sometime in the eighth or ninth centuries B.C., but no more definite date can be determined.
Editha Essay Research Paper DO YOU HAVE
Editha Essay, Research Paper DO YOU HAVE TIME? I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
Biography Of Homer Essay Research Paper Biography
Biography Of Homer Essay, Research Paper Biography of Homer (?-? BC) Beyond a few fragments of information, historians and classicists can only speculate about the life of the man who composed the Iliad and the Odyssey. The details are few. We do not even know the century in which he lived, and it is difficult to say with absolute certainty that the same poet composed both works.
Yup Essay Research Paper The medium that
Yup Essay, Research Paper The medium that was used in Kevin Killrakis art work was colored pastels. The technique used is shading, and is very creative. Basically, what I see in Kevin?s artwork is two very one of a kind daggers.
Leadership Essay Research Paper LeadershipLeadership is used
Leadership Essay, Research Paper Leadership Leadership is used everyday by many different people, but mainly by the same people day after day. These people are know as Leaders, and in the stories of Beowulf and Iliad there are some great examples of good leaders and bad leaders.
Drama And Literature Of Early Greece Essay
, Research Paper In early Greece, most drama and poetry grew from Athenian celebrations honoringthe god of wine, Dionysus. Greek plays were performed outdoors to an all maleaudience. The plays were performed in theaters that were built into hillsides. All ofthe actors were also male, and they had a chorus which explained the play as itwent.
Art Work Essay Research Paper Don
Art Work Essay, Research Paper Don’t exist exactly definition for a work of art. Work of art is something made by a person. Hence sunsets beautiful trees, ”found” natural objects such as grained driftwood, “painting” by insects or birds and a host of other natural phenomena are not considered works of art, despite their beauty.
The Illiad Essay Research Paper The IliadThe
The Illiad Essay, Research Paper The Iliad The way Homer wrote this text is similar to warfare today, especially the feelings. There are some differences though. At the end of the passage, Homer wrote War is men s business; and this war is the business of everyone in Ilium, myself above all. That is stating that only men fight in wars.
Goals Essay Research Paper Jonathan drlasEssay 4This
Goals Essay, Research Paper Jonathan drlas Essay 4 This is my first work on this paper. My goal that I?am going to incorporate in my paper is a money goal. I want to save up 3,000 dollars before I leave for school. I leave on the 15 of august so there is a little over two months that I have to achieve this goal.
Epics Essay Research Paper In order to
Epics Essay, Research Paper In order to be considered an epic, there are certain qualifications and standards that a piece of literature must meet. The themes and motifs incorporated in these stories are universal and the plot lines are both historical and entertaining. These epics are long poems that were originally expressed orally and later transcended into written works.
Homer Essay Research Paper The Odyssey is
Homer Essay, Research Paper ?The Odyssey? is one of only a few epics still in existence today. An epic is a long narrative poem which focuses on the lives and struggles of a great hero or heroes. Homer used many literary techniques to make his poetry more fully understood. He was very versed in his Greek gods and uses them as great heroes.
Agamemnon And Achilles Essay Research Paper Many
Agamemnon And Achilles Essay, Research Paper Many have speculated about the Trojan War. It s been written about in books like the Iliad and The Odyssey. A person could read in a book about this massive war between King Priam and Agamemnon, but did this massive war ever really happen? We have all heard of the mighty wooden horse in which the Greek forces broke into the mighty walls of Troy.
Theme Analysis Essay Research Paper Theme AnalysisIn
Theme Analysis Essay, Research Paper Theme Analysis In Homer’s Iliad, war is depicted as horrible, bloody, and fruitless. There are no clear winners in The Iliad. Many people die in vain because of arrogant and emotional
Hector Vs Achilles Essay Research Paper Two
Hector Vs. Achilles Essay, Research Paper Two of the main characters in the Iliad are Achilles and Hector. Other than being great warriors, they have little in common. There are fundamental differences in their character. Hector, a great leader and family man is a protector of the people. Achilles, on the other hand is self-centered warrior, his motivation for fighting is for glory and remembrance.
Iliad Paper Essay Research Paper How does
Iliad Paper Essay, Research Paper How does Achilles change? Why does the change take place? Which personality is the true Achilles? Initially, Achilles is selfish and petty. He refuses to fight in the war because Agamemnon takes Briseis. His selfishness causes the death of many Argives. Without the strength and power of Achilles, no other Greek warrior is able to repel the powerful Hector.
Achilles Vs Hector Essay Research Paper Achilles
Achilles Vs. Hector Essay, Research Paper Achilles vs. Hector: The Climax of the Iliad the meeting of two unique warriors. In the Iliad is a very interesting epic with features two main central characters that are similar in some ways but totally different in other ways. In this epic you will be introduced to Hector and Achilles.
The Development Of The Warrior Achilles In
The Iliad. Essay, Research Paper The Development of the Warrior Achilles in the Iliad. From the initial callousness and stubborn temper of Achilles in the first books of the Iliad to the eventual humanization’ of Achilles in his interaction with the grieving father of Hector, whom Achilles himself slew, the Iliad can be seen to chronicle the maturation of the Greek hero during the terrible battles of the Trojan War.
Dante And Homer Essay Research Paper Dante
Dante And Homer Essay, Research Paper Dante makes many references to Homer and the Iliad throughout the Inferno. The fates of favorite characters are described during the course of Dante?s
The Impact Of Women In The Iliad
Essay, Research Paper The Impact of Women in The Iliad Women have always been recognized for their strong influence on the actions of men. Because of his love for Delia, Samson told his secret of his power and ended up losing it. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth urged Macbeth to commit murder. More recently, Eleanor Roosevelt strongly influenced the decisions that Franklin D.
Costa Sakellariou Essay Research Paper Costa Sakellariou
Costa Sakellariou Essay, Research Paper Costa Sakellariou Visual art can definitely be seen as a language. With every artist there is always some sort of meaning that they are trying to convey to the viewers of their work. The means of how they deliver that message is the language in which their work uses. In Costa Sakellariou?s work I especially felt there was some sort of language being spoken.
Iliad By Homer Essay Research Paper ILIADThe
Iliad By Homer Essay, Research Paper ILIAD The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer .Homer is traditionally believed to be the author both of the Iliad and the Odyssey , the two major epics of Greek antiquity. It is believed that Homer was a blind bard and dictated the epics. Nothing further is known about Homer as an individual , and in fact it is a matter of controversy whether a single person can be said to have written both the Iliad and the Odyssey .Linguistic and historical evidence , however , suggests that the poems were composed in the Greek settlements on the west coast of Asia Minor sometime in the second half of the 8th century BC
Epic Essay Essay Research Paper What an
Epic Essay Essay, Research Paper What an epic says about its culture is that that was the way they lived like in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Faerie Qveene, and Iliad (Comical Version). The three are epics from their own time and culture they are the same in some ways and different in other ways.
The Aeneid
– Summary Essay, Research Paper The Aeneid – Summary The Aeneid begins and ends with parallels to the Iliad, inviting us to consider Virgil’s poetry in light of Homer’s. The Aeneid is both a tribute to the Homeric style–by imitating it–and an attempt to better it. And perhaps, Virgil is not quite being fair to himself when he invites that comparison; Virgil does not have the Iliad’s tragic irony, and Aeneas is not as powerful a main character as Achilles.
The Iliad And Song Of Roland Essay
, Research Paper The Iliad and Song of Roland: Attitudes Toward War The Iliad by Homer and Song of Roland are two enjoyable novels that both deal with the basic nature of war. They are set in different eras of history, but they both manage to depict the image of war and conquest very well. With that said, they do indeed share obvious plot characteristics.
Gods In Literature Essay Research Paper Whenever
Gods In Literature Essay, Research Paper Whenever one refers to the literature from which the Greek god?s came from, such as the Iliad, it?s referred to as mythology. And yet, the literature of the Christian God, the Bible, is not. Both pieces of literature were written around the same time period, and yet, in modern day, the Bible represents a way of life for some religious organizations while the Iliad is simply read for pleasure.
Hamlet Essay Research Paper Homer The
Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Homer The Homeric poems are a representation of reality- nature, animals, and men. We may reach Homer by inquiring into the picture he gives us– by seeing how true and imaginative it is. One researcher, Paolo Vivante, concludes that By Homeric imaginatition I mean that sympathetic insight whereby objects and events were first rendered by the poet in significant and revealing outlines (1).
Zeus As Keeper Of Order Essay Research
Paper Throughout The Iliad, Zeus presides as the supreme god of all gods, consistently maintaining the divine order of things and making known the absolute power he possesses so that his will may be done. This is clearly shown in the epic through the confrontation with his wife, Hera, when she accuses him of plotting secret plans.
Pride In The Iliad Essay Research Paper
*You better respect this essay , it took me longer to do it than you will?! Pride in the Iliad The period in which the events in The Iliad took place were different than the times of today. Back then, the most important aspect of life for a person was to be a hero and to be remembered. One?s pride would come before everything else.
The Iliad Essay Research Paper THE ILIADBy
The Iliad Essay, Research Paper THE ILIAD By Aubrie Campbell The Iliad tells the story of the Trojan War, which lasted 10 years. The Grecians eventually won the war, but the outcome could have very easily shifted due to a quarrel between King Agamemnon and Achilles. Pride and anger is what the two men were fighting about.
The Iliad And The Odyssey A Comparison
Essay, Research Paper The Iliad and The Odyssey: A Comparison Although both works are credited to Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey provide two remarkably different views on the nature of the Olympian Gods, their relationship to humanity, and the general lot of mortals throughout their all too brief lives.
Article 23 Essay Research Paper Universal Declaration
Article 23 Essay, Research Paper Universal Declaration Of Human Rights ARTICLE 23 -Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment-
Source Analysis The Death Of Hector Essay
, Research Paper The Death of Hector is actually just one part of a larger work. The Iliad was written during the Dark Ages of Greece by a blind poet named Homer. It
Time Essay Research Paper Time is of
Time Essay, Research Paper Time is of the essence! Be on time! Time to go to school! We are running out of time! You may not realize it, but our lives are controlled by time. From the time we get up to the time we go to bed we are its slaves.