The Iliad Research Paper

The Iliad and The Odyssey A common theme in the Iliad and the Odyssey is conflict. However, it is important to note that the Odyssey is in many ways a sequel to the Iliad where the Trojan wars started. Conflicts in the two stories dominate every scene, and the characters seem to have a preset mentality toward conflict. Both Achilles and Odyssey in the Iliad and the Odyssey stories respectively demonstrate an attraction to conflicts which costs the later a longer life. The theme of conflict in the two stories is not limited to the main character only but also their families and also the gods of the land. It allows for a critical reflection of the ancient civilizations and their way of life. In the Iliad and the Odyssey war was a way to gain …show more content…
The Iliad is not all about the Trojan war but several conflicts happening in the final weeks of the war. The two cities that come out are the City if Mycenae governed by Agamemnon and Troy city under Hector. The war between the towns is not due to the shortage of natural resources rather pride and vanity as each of the Kings tries to prove that they are the strongest. In the Iliad, the character and work of Achilles a great warrior help develop the conflict element. Achilles is half divine and the greatest warrior of all time but still feels the need to prove his skill. Achilles mother is immortal and Achilles has an impenetrable skin. Several scenes in the Iliad bring out the theme of conflict. First, the Trojan War which devastated the cities. Second, Achilles experiences as he fights for Menelaus the brother to Agamemnon but a fall-out occurs, and he leaves. Zeus is angry at the Menelaus and brings his side to a great loss so that he can see the value of Achilles. Here a god is directly involved in human …show more content…
The war has devastated the cities, and the gods hold themselves to blame for involvement in human matters. In this last scene, the gods are fighting amongst themselves and blame each other for the bloodshed. This is the last scene of conflict. Interestingly Achilles refuses to give the Trojans the body of Hector for proper burial until his father sneaks into Achilles camp and begs him to let go of the body. The two share wine and mourn the losses of the war perhaps to signify they have learned their lessons. The story ends with a prophecy of the violent death of Achilles perhaps to signify the end of conflict through the proven hero. Therefore, it is through conflict that the Iliad develops characters and the make the story