Iliad

Usually critical essays explore major themes in "The Odyssey" and "Illiad". These literary works share many thematic concerns, as are fundamental to the epic tradition. Most significant are the issues of lineage, xenia, and divine intervention – all of which are of the utmost important in Ancient Greek tradition. The extracts from each poem illustrate the centrality of lineage in patriarchal Ancient Greek society, as the characters in both clearly believe in honouring their fathers’ connections. In the Iliad, the…

This article is a study of the only four significant female characters in the Iliad (Helen, Andromache, Hecabe and Briseis) and their relationship with the male characters.' It will demonstrate that despite the tremendous differences between them, Homer treated them all in the same manner. He emphasized how intense and deep were their emotions and sentiments and how little regard the male characters had for these emotions and sentiments. Thus he impresses on his audience their desperate helplessness and utter…

While the Iliad has a strong focus on individual glory on the battlefield, Odysseus excels in a different fashion. He is a cunning hero as opposed to a strong, bold hero such as Achilles. Book 10 of the Iliad highlights the more psychological aspect of warfare which affords Odysseus the chance to display his tactical prowess. Furthermore, Odysseus’ understanding of the power of words contributes to his unique, sage-like character as portrayed by Homer throughout the poem. It is through…

"Considering the gods, fate, and free will is not an idea that is elite to Greek Literature; truth be told, the gods can be found putting their guiding hand into the activities of humans. For example, those that buy into a specific religion may ask themselves: if my gods have an arrangement for me, does all that I do fall in accordance with that arrangement? Are the decisions I settle on my own decisions, or are they steps that have…

What role(s) do the gods play in the narrative of the Iliad? This is a world of two levels. One the divine, the other human; a vast part of the Iliad’s plot, action and meaning lies in their interlinking. That there are gods is as much a reality as the men Homer portrays. Although most obviously seen as fully-fledged individuals with particularised roles like that of Zeus the ‘chief’ and Hephaestus the ‘peacemaker’ (mirroring human personalities, Agamemnon the ‘overlord’ and…

The Iliad of Homer centers around Achilleus, a hero to the Achaians. While he may be seen as a hero in the eyes of his comrades, Achilleus’ changes throughout the epic poem parallel that of an anti-hero. The best way to understand the growth Achilleus undergoes in The Iliad of Homer is to not focus on how he is a hero but how he is an anti-hero. A hero is often perceived as someone who has divine characteristics. While Achilleus…

Gods are very powerful beings that possess abilities that are unknown to man. Also, they tend to interfere in mortal lives and influence their decisions. Even with the immense amount of powers that they do have, there is still one thing that they have no control over. That unstoppable thing is fate. Fate is something that is destined to happen. The gods cannot control what a certain person’s fate is because it is determined by something outside of their realm…

Achilles is morally superior to Agamemnon The long narrative poem, Iliad, combines the historical events of two legends of the ancient Greek. The two legends are mentioned to be the Greek king, Agamemnon, and the great soldier as well as Greek prince, Achilles. Homer’s Iliad portrays Achilles as possessing a superhuman strength and a close relationship with the gods. Through his superhuman characteristics, he proves the mightiest man in the Achaean army. He is also mentioned to be proud, similarly…