Role Of Honor In The Iliad

The definition, importance, and paths to achieve honor have all changed across history. From the bloodthirsty, conflict-fueled honor of the Romans to the modern day, Western concept of a solid moral platform from which one acts, honor proves itself diverse in form and difficult to gain. For the Ancient Greeks, especially in battle, honor was firmly affixed to respect and glory; this concept is easily relayed through Homer’s The Iliad. Instead of purely stating the events of the Trojan War, Homer uses its characters as platforms from which he can add his own perspectives regarding the true value of honor. 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 …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