Homer parallels the Achaeans’ conflict against the Trojans to win back Helen to Achilles’ struggle with Agamemnon over Briseis to argue that the reasons for war often do not justify the act itself. The Iliad opens by simultaneously presenting the contention between Agamemnon and Achilles alongside the slow conclusion of the Trojan War, drawing clear parallels between the two clashes. Just as …show more content…
Instead, Homer uses the platform of the famous struggle to show the pointlessness of fighting, especially with gain for the individual at the forefront of one’s mind. Achilles’ focus on glory and honor, even while surrounded by complete devastation and death, contrasted with Patroclus’ voice of reason outlines Homer’s distinction between honor and victory. By pointedly comparing major aspects of the Trojan War to the trivial, prolonged power struggle between Achilles and Agamemnon, Homer crafts The Iliad as an argument against the exaltation of war, honor, and the fight for