Theogony Vs Iliad

Improved Essays
Luc Ferry’s The Wisdom of Myths, and Homer’s The Iliad are two extraordinary works of literature when it comes to tales of Greek mythology. The first gives a unique account of the birth of the universe following Hesiod's Theogony, starting at chaos and ending with order in the cosmos; while the later incorporates many detailed and unique characters and motifs that all help contribute into shaping the poem into something much more elegant than just a recollection of a war. The two works also collide in more than one way, as not only would Ferry’s described account of the creation of the universe be what Agamemnon and Greeks would have believed in, but it also can be taken as a sense of literary direction when it comes to the story of the Iliad …show more content…
Even though they represent the sky, mountains, and sea respectfully, they complete the earth as a whole expressing the stability they bring as a unit. This heightened sense of stability comes to Achilles the morning after his darkest hours, mourning Patroclus's death. Thetis presented Achilles with brand new armor, so mighty, that “a tremor ran through all the Myrmidon ranks--none dared to looks straight at the glare, each fighter share away” (Homer.19.17-18).” The only one who did not look away was Achilles, because he knew that this was the stability he needed. The armor was the final push he needed to end his sorrow and streak of chaos and sadness. As previously aforementioned, it served as the instrument to stabilize his life, and also allowed him to get back on track with the war …show more content…
Each one played a monumental role in bringing order to the cosmos. Zeus’s ability to rule and bring the said order came through Cronus’s overthrow of Uranus, and Zeus’s own coup against Cronus, (Ferry. 54-66). Defeating the enemy that was oppressing the challenger was the key factor in each scenario, and that is exactly what Achilles did. After triumphantly killing Hector Achilles goes on to announce “Now that the gods have let me kill this man who caused us agonies, loos on crushing loss… raise a song of triumph! Down to the ships we march--we have won ourselves great glory” (Homer.22.447-448.461.463). Achilles himself acknowledges the grief he and his entire army has felt in this scene, but marks the day the tide of the battle had turned in favor of the Achaeans. The Achaeans were now in control and order was brought to the battlefield; just as in the final coup Zeus gained control and order was brought to the cosmos.

Throughout the course of the Iliad, Achilles’ internal journey and actions serve as a source of direction for the poem. Each one builds upon the last, and continues to keep the literary work moving in a sequential manner. Staying relevant to the topic of Greek mythology, Hesiod's Theogony as told in Luc Ferry’s The Wisdom of Myths offers a metaphoric walkthrough of how Achilles’ helped the war in terms of the Achaeans, and his own life, progress from

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Using intertext, Catullus refers to Homer’s The Iliad using descriptors such as ‘free from fear’, ‘swift’ and valiant’ to create the expectation that Achilles will be depicted as a glorious hero. However this is undermined by violent imagery which emphasises visual elements such as blood, death and fire. In traditional Roman literary descriptions of warfare, extending pity or clemency towards the defeated was seen as virtuous, but this is subverted by Achilles’ ruthless actions (Hope, V.M. 2007). This subversion of traditional expectations is continued through a simile where he is likened to a reaper cutting down Trojans without mercy.…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    ILLIAD and TROY Introduction. is of am is of is of is as is as is as is as is as is as is as is as is as is as is as is Every civilisation will have stories which will be transmitted over a long period of time. These stories explains the natural phenomena of that area more than science and archaeologist. Ancient Greece is greatly renowned for its mythical stories.…

    • 972 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When not given his way, Achilles, a mighty warrior, leaves the fighting and goes off to sulk. His childish ways cost the lives of many fellow soldiers, including his best friend, Patroclus. Only when Achilles hears of his young comrade’s tragic death does he return, not to redeem himself, but to take revenge on his enemies. When he finally gains retribution, he defiles the body of his enemy, spitefully dragging it through the dust. Only when the gods themselves intervene does he stop.…

    • 501 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The quoted passage from Book Twenty-one of The Iliad is an excerpt of Achilles’ speech in rejection to Trojan prince Lykaon’s plea for life when he has finally resumed in the war. In this passage, Achilles contrasts the former and present way in which he treats the Trojans and states the reason of his change. By doing a close-reading of this passage, I hope to address the major shift in Achilles’ outlook on fate and death that is reflected in his change of attitude towards the Trojans. The first six lines really stand out in illustrating the significance of Patroklos’ death for it marks both Achilles’ return to battle and the change in his treatment of the enemies from “it was the way of my heart’s choice to be sparing of the Trojans”…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Medea's Rage

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Begin with the clash between Agamemnon – The Greek warlord – and godlike Achilles.” Achilles, Hector, and Agamemnon are all well-known warriors, but, unfortunately, they allow their anger and rage to overcome…

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kleos is a term often used in ancient greek epics that can be translated now to “renown”, or “glory”. Kleos, or glory, is an encompassing theme within Homer’s epic the Iliad, it means the achievement of one’s immortal fame. It is a glory that lives on past the expiry of ones mortal life and is often the driving force behind many attitudes and actions of the central characters within the Iliad. This is especially prominent in the case of Hector and Achilles, Both characters are considered hero’s in their own right and are looked up to by the greeks. They both are part of the war that is the driving source of plot within the Iliad, where they make decisions, sometimes against rational judgment, in honour of achieving their Kleos.…

    • 1122 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Role Of Honor In The Iliad

    • 1105 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Homer uses Achilles’ discussion with Patroclus in The Iliad to ridicule fighting for honor; by equating Achilles’ grudge against Agamemnon with the larger purpose of the Trojan War, Homer casts war, glory, and honor in a light that both exposes their vacuity and proves their uselessness. 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…

    • 1105 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Through his actions and inner thoughts, Achilles, become what he hates- a dishonourable warrior rather than the hero of the Greeks. The epic poem Iliad by Homer portrays the battle of the Greeks and the Trojans. These sides do not like one another…

    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Despite being a poem written about a lengthy war and its devastating effects, Homer’s Iliad offers more than just tales of blood and gore. If read carefully, the Iliad can give insight to a number of matters besides the obvious ones, including the rhetorical elements of speeches given throughout the course of the poem. Three of these speeches, which are delivered by a council of war heroes, can be evaluated to gauge the effectiveness of the oratory strategies that were being utilized throughout the poem. Each of the heroes applies some form of logos, ethos or pathos in their speeches in hopes that their emotional, ethical, and logical appeals would be enough to curtail Achilles’ anger and bring him back to battle. They were wrong, however,…

    • 1446 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Because of this rash statement, Achilles leaves the battlefield out of pride. And while he started the argument for the good of the Achaeans, he only ends up hurting his cause because of his…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    From the very beginning of Homer's the Iliad, Achilles is depicted as vindictive, prideful, and trifling. As the book advances, the picture of Achilles as a resentful youngster is improved significantly. Towards the end of the epic, Achilles displays qualities that are viewed as courageous even in today's time. When his reliable and trusted companion Patroclus passes on, Achilles experiences an extreme change in character. When he goes up against the genuine repulsiveness of death, Achilles sets aside his juvenile approaches to satisfy his obligation to his companion, his countrymen, and his inner voice.…

    • 1125 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.…

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Gods In The Iliad

    • 1038 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The gods in the Iliad control the plot line. In a very short summary of the Iliad, we can say it is the story of Achilles’ anger instigated by the gods. The Iliad is an epic where besides the anger of Achilles, and the Trojan War, the gods are a central emphasis in the book. Most of the events that occur are the result of the gods. For example, they use their power to persuade the Trojan soldiers of the battle of Troy to get the outcome they want.…

    • 1038 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Theme Of Revenge In Iliad

    • 1466 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Homer’s Iliad is one of the greatest pieces of Ancient literature. It has a lot of prominent motives that are influential and could be traced even in the modern literature. As a matter of fact, it has a lot of interesting concepts; however, one of the most dominant ones is the topic of justice and vengeance. The war itself is just a personal motivation of Agamemnon to deal with Troy and to punish them for their deeds in the past, the Greeks just want revenge, even though the Troy Priest of Apollo Chryses asks for a forgiveness. The gods play also one of the central roles in the poem.…

    • 1466 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Here we see an Achilles who is torn between his fear of death and his desire for glory. Despite his thirst for fighting, Homer shows us a small glimpses of Achilles’ humanity through this scene in the Iliad. His emotions grow as we see that Patroclus’ death weighs on Achilles and he feels pain like he’s never experienced. He even blames himself for his friend’s death saying, “my dearest friend of all. I loved him, and I killed him.”…

    • 1018 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays