For this activity, I selected two gods and a hero: Zeus, Hera, and Achilles. Zeus and Hera are principal actors in the Olympian thread of the plot, and inseparable in their entanglements, both with each other and with mortals. I felt that I would understand the Iliad itself better if I understood these supreme gods better. Achilles is, of course, the hero of the Iliad and is the axis of the entire storyline. I will present, in order, the biographies of these three characters. Then I will explain how I more clearly understand a particular scene from the Iliad.
For Zeus, the scene I kept in mind while researching his theography (to coin a term) is the scene in Book XXI in which he chuckles to himself about the lesser gods’ quarrels. Zeus, whom …show more content…
Zeus is a regal, omnipotent, ancient, and powerful god, strong enough to overthrow his father Chronos and almost the entire race of the Titans. With his great power and influence over the heavens and the earth, he is secure in his supreme position, and has thus has no cause to fear a challenge from one of the gods to him. From such a lofty position (literally and figuratively), Zeus can watch the spectacle of the Theomachy without getting personally involved. As the father of several of the embattled gods, such as Ares, Aphrodite, and Artemis, he naturally behaves like a tolerating, amused parent of misbehaving children. Although Hera, his regal consort, commonly riles and agitates him, Zeus is generally a levelheaded god, secure in his ultimate ascendancy over the …show more content…
Homer uses this foreknowledge as a device to drive Achilles and motivate his actions. Achilles led the significant Myrmidon contingent of the Achaean fleet of 50 ships. The following is a brief outline of Achilles’ roles in the Iliad.
i) Achilles clashes with Agamemnon over the former’s prize, the girl Briseis. ii) Thetis beseeches Zeus to intervene in the war by swaying the outcome in favor of the Trojans; this is on behalf of Achilles, in order to force the Achaeans to make amends to him. iii) The embassies of the Agamemnon to Achilles are spurned, but Patroclus persuades Achilles to lend him his armor and men. Patroclus is slain in Achilles’ armor. iv) Thetis asks Hephaestus to forge new armor for Achilles. Iris implores Achilles to rescue Patroclus’ body. Achilles slaughters Trojans and battles the river god Xanthus.
v) Achilles fights and kills Hector, then degrades the latter’s corpse. Priam convinces Achilles to surrender Hector’s body. vi) Achilles dies in battle at the Scaean Gate, just before the capitulation of
For Zeus, the scene I kept in mind while researching his theography (to coin a term) is the scene in Book XXI in which he chuckles to himself about the lesser gods’ quarrels. Zeus, whom …show more content…
Zeus is a regal, omnipotent, ancient, and powerful god, strong enough to overthrow his father Chronos and almost the entire race of the Titans. With his great power and influence over the heavens and the earth, he is secure in his supreme position, and has thus has no cause to fear a challenge from one of the gods to him. From such a lofty position (literally and figuratively), Zeus can watch the spectacle of the Theomachy without getting personally involved. As the father of several of the embattled gods, such as Ares, Aphrodite, and Artemis, he naturally behaves like a tolerating, amused parent of misbehaving children. Although Hera, his regal consort, commonly riles and agitates him, Zeus is generally a levelheaded god, secure in his ultimate ascendancy over the …show more content…
Homer uses this foreknowledge as a device to drive Achilles and motivate his actions. Achilles led the significant Myrmidon contingent of the Achaean fleet of 50 ships. The following is a brief outline of Achilles’ roles in the Iliad.
i) Achilles clashes with Agamemnon over the former’s prize, the girl Briseis. ii) Thetis beseeches Zeus to intervene in the war by swaying the outcome in favor of the Trojans; this is on behalf of Achilles, in order to force the Achaeans to make amends to him. iii) The embassies of the Agamemnon to Achilles are spurned, but Patroclus persuades Achilles to lend him his armor and men. Patroclus is slain in Achilles’ armor. iv) Thetis asks Hephaestus to forge new armor for Achilles. Iris implores Achilles to rescue Patroclus’ body. Achilles slaughters Trojans and battles the river god Xanthus.
v) Achilles fights and kills Hector, then degrades the latter’s corpse. Priam convinces Achilles to surrender Hector’s body. vi) Achilles dies in battle at the Scaean Gate, just before the capitulation of