The basis of influence behind the decisions made by human characters in Homer 's Iliad gives rise to the inquiry of if agency is present among mortal characters, and if so, its scope of influence over their decisions making capabilities. In Book 14, Zeus is seduced by Hera; while Zeus is asleep, Poseidon intervenes with the war and helps to shift the tide of battle in favor of the Achaeans. Human agency, according to how it is defined in the lectures, is “the capacity to act ( . . . ) without the determining of outside forces such as gods, or fate.” With this definition in mind, the degree to which humans have control over their actions is constrained. Though humans within the Iliad possess conscious thought and the capacity to make independent
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As a result of Hera subduing Zeus in Book 14, Poseidon is able to intervene with the mortals, at which point, in line 133, he “raised a mighty cry of battle, [which] put fresh courage into the hearts of the Achaeans to wage war and do battle without ceasing.” The increase in morale amongst the soldiers was produced within themselves, but the moral boost was facilitated via the involvement of a god. Through Poseidon’s participation with the Achaean soldiers, the guideline for satisfying the definition of human agency is …show more content…
Before seducing Zeus, Hera acquires Aphrodite’s “inlaid belt”, which is described to possess a “persuasiveness that robs even the wise of sense”. There is a disparity between the magnitudes of control the gods are able to be employ towards humans versus the control that can be exerted amid themselves. The latter is carried out by distinctive objects such as the abovementioned inlaid belt; in contrast, the ability to influence the behavior of human characters does not require such objects. Another parallel between the divine and the mortal is he divine’s expression of human emotions. From Hera’s cunning deception, to Zeus’s expression of lust towards Hera (“Never has such desire for goddess or mortal woman so gripped and overwhelmed my heart.”), there is an overlap between the features of humans and gods
Had Hera not influenced Zeus, Poseidon would not have taken direct action against the Trojans. Had Poseidon not intervened with the tide of battle, the Achaeans courage to strike against the Trojans would be limited. Poseidon has influence over the Achaean soldiers by telling Agamemnon that “the gods (. . .) are not utterly against you, and I foresee even now that the Trojan princes and their generals will soon fill the wide plain to Troy with dust (. .
As a result of Hera subduing Zeus in Book 14, Poseidon is able to intervene with the mortals, at which point, in line 133, he “raised a mighty cry of battle, [which] put fresh courage into the hearts of the Achaeans to wage war and do battle without ceasing.” The increase in morale amongst the soldiers was produced within themselves, but the moral boost was facilitated via the involvement of a god. Through Poseidon’s participation with the Achaean soldiers, the guideline for satisfying the definition of human agency is …show more content…
Before seducing Zeus, Hera acquires Aphrodite’s “inlaid belt”, which is described to possess a “persuasiveness that robs even the wise of sense”. There is a disparity between the magnitudes of control the gods are able to be employ towards humans versus the control that can be exerted amid themselves. The latter is carried out by distinctive objects such as the abovementioned inlaid belt; in contrast, the ability to influence the behavior of human characters does not require such objects. Another parallel between the divine and the mortal is he divine’s expression of human emotions. From Hera’s cunning deception, to Zeus’s expression of lust towards Hera (“Never has such desire for goddess or mortal woman so gripped and overwhelmed my heart.”), there is an overlap between the features of humans and gods
Had Hera not influenced Zeus, Poseidon would not have taken direct action against the Trojans. Had Poseidon not intervened with the tide of battle, the Achaeans courage to strike against the Trojans would be limited. Poseidon has influence over the Achaean soldiers by telling Agamemnon that “the gods (. . .) are not utterly against you, and I foresee even now that the Trojan princes and their generals will soon fill the wide plain to Troy with dust (. .