The Iliad Servants Of Fate - 1028 Words

Taspia Arpee Year I Seminar September 12, 2017 Summer Assignment Servants of Fate One of the most striking aspects of The Iliad is the representation of the divine and their interactions with mortals. In the epic poem, the behavior and status of the gods are revealed in the way they connect with the humans. At first glance, humans seem to be mere puppets to the gods. They are used with no fear for the consequence, as a method for the gods’ personal interests. The humans have a blind trust for the gods and believe that it is up to them to decide their fate and glory. However, it is shown that the divine beings play an unusually prominent role in the war. They seem to be controlled by their emotions and self-interest just like humans are -†¦show more content†¦His mother agrees, on the basis that she knows Zeus owes her a favor. Once Thetis asks Zeus, he is reluctant in agreeing to help in fear of making his wife, Hera, angry. This acknowledges that Zeus agrees due to the favor he owes Thetis and it paints him to be more human-like. It shows that he ponders about the weight of his decision to possibly help Achilles, and he agrees to Thetis’s request by understanding the benefits it would have on him. Zeus admits that he is aware of the trouble his actions will cause, by triggering Hera’s anger, but he continues on with no fear of the consequences. This shows that the repercussions of his actions will not actually matter for him, but would only affect humans, making him unconcerned. He only deliberated about his own well-being rather than considering the effects of his actions. This sets the tone for the rest of the story where the gods are using the humans for their own selfish needs. They attempt to change the course of the fate of mortals, to their own likings, by interfering with human lives. The gods are personified as having human-like emotions, shapes, etc, however, this should not take away from the power they still hold. While their characters are portrayed to be thinking like humans, the y still hold power that is unattainable by mortals, which causes them to haveShow MoreRelatedAt the time of Homer, it was normal for gods to meddle in human affairs, and he shows this in The1300 Words   |  6 Pagesthe time of Homer, it was normal for gods to meddle in human affairs, and he shows this in The Iliad. A vast majority of the Greek gods play some role in how the Trojan wars turns out, which is what the poem is all about. Homer uses the gods to deviate from how normal wars are played out. The head god, Zeus, will be the focus as I go through what he did and how it affected the War as well as The Iliad. Zeus tried to stay out of the Trojan War for egotistic motives and was viewed as a father figureRead MoreAnalysis Of Genesis, And Andromache1381 Words   |  6 PagesIn the contexts of their own time periods, both Sarah, in Genesis, and Andromache, in the Iliad, have similar roles in that they are both confined to the duties within the household. Despite these societal c onstrictions, both women find ways to exert some power and influence within their designated roles in society, but the degree of power they have varies. Sarah holds more power because God will â€Å"bless her† and will make her a part of his plan for Abraham, so she can manipulate events in the contextRead MoreImportance of Iliad as Modern Teaching Tool Essay1460 Words   |  6 PagesImportance of Iliad as a Modern Teaching Tool The passing of works from generation to generation is not an uncommon thing, nor is it a new practice. For centuries, even since the beginning of time, scholars have recorded and passed on historical accounts, works of art, poetry, and great literary works as a means of transcending the culture from one generation to the next. In doing so, these works were not merely used for leisurely purposes, rather as a way to teach and educate Read MoreThe Iliad And The Book Of Genesis1225 Words   |  5 Pagesthemes of suffering, war, violence, and sin, the characters of both the Iliad and the book of Genesis strive to live and define their lives as their own. The women in particular best exemplify this struggle as they contend not only with the circumstances to which they are born into, but must also grapple will the role they play in their society and how their actions influence the greater fate of their people. Within the Iliad, Andromache’s role as a woman and wife to a warrior during war contributesRead MoreThe Nature of Honour in Virgil and Homer1709 Words   |  7 PagesAgamemnon says that he will need something to replace the prize that he has lost at the start of the poem, Achilles replies, â€Å"...how shall the great-hearted Achaians give you a prize now? There is no great store of things lying about I know of.â⠂¬  (Homer, Iliad 1.124) The men need to continually add to their honour, and without a large victory, they are not able to do so, so there is tension, and the tension is made worse when Agamemnon takes what Achilleus thinks is more than his fair share. This couldRead MoreThe Aeneid, The Iliad and the Odyssey653 Words   |  3 Pages Practically thousands of years after they were thought of and written, the Aeneid, The Iliad and the Odyssey continue to be three of the most renowned and broadly read stories ever told. The Aeneid is an epic poem written in 12 books and is modeled in part on the great Greek epic poems, on Homers Iliad and Odyssey. Odysseus is trying to get back to the home, Aeneas is seeking the new In the Aeneid the first six books were in correspondence to the Odyssey because they illustrated Aeneas hunt forRead MoreMy essay is about masculinity in the Iliad and how gender roles in turn cause a war versus oneself (the title)1293 Words   |  6 PagesThe War Versus Oneself During the time period in which the Iliad took place there was a great emphasis put on masculinity. Five specific qualities were required to obtain the venerable title of a hero. Firstly, one must be born unto noble birth. For instance, a man born from the social status of a servant would cause the man to be immediately looked down on for his rankings among his higher status social counterparts. Secondly, the hero must attain strength. Without strength, the man cannot proveRead MoreThe Biblical Figure Of Job And Greek Hero Achilles1121 Words   |  5 Pagesups and downs in their lives and those experiences made them realize that the world they lived in was not meant to be sought after. They both gave sacrifices, yet kept devoted to their faiths. Job s trials were not just casual, so-called blows of fate, but had an immense and profound meaning. Job experienced severe tests in which every time he manifested brilliantly; firmly clinging to the Lord. He became to the realization that the world offers nothing but injustice and misery. Job was ruinedRead MoreThe Pride of Zeus2473 Words   |  10 Pagesbelieve it’s more than anything the pride of Zeus which justifies his actions. In Homer’s great Epic, â€Å"The Iliad,† the presence of Zeus affected every action taken or avoided in some shape, way, or form. His allowance of other gods intervening in the war at times strengthens the idea that he is all-seeing and all-powerful, due to the fact that the other gods intervention inevitably led fate back onto its original course. But, we’re talking about Zeus; God of all Gods. He refuses to be underminedRead MoreCharacteristics Of Satan In Paradise Lost1029 Words   |  5 Pagesunderstanding of human beings, for mankind is constantly trying to change things they will never be able to change. Satan wants to defeat God, which he knows is impossible and yet he will try anyway. Satan is so high in his own esteem; he cannot bear to be a servant and must be a leader. Satan is doomed into Hell where he will live in fire. But as a leader, and a true protagonist, Satan chooses to accept his situation and rise as a hero for the pack of fallen angels he has led from Heaven. He possesses his