Symbolism In The Shield Of Achilles

The Shield of Achilles in Homer 's Iliad is rife with symbolism. The shield contains numerous images that display various aspects of humanity: weddings, festivals, agriculture, and war. The two cities depicted represent the difference between peace and war. The city at peace has weddings, festivals, dancing, and other happy occasions, but there is also a dispute. Two men disagree over restitution for a murder. The issue is brought before elders to be judged in a fair and peaceful manner. This city represents peace, order, and civilization. It is not perfect, but it is functional and allows for civilized activities. The city at war is filled with desperation and pain. Everyone in the city, including the elderly and children, are participating …show more content…
Sappho is attracted to someone who rejects her, and she requires the intervention of a god. Sappho says "now again" several times in her prayer, which means that this is not first time she has had this issue of unrequited love. This feeling of attraction is not love, but passion and the work of hormones. Sappho wants physical gratification, not true love. Aphrodite agrees to help Sappho, even if the woman she is pursuing is "unwilling" (Sappho 497) Sappho is willing to rape to get what she desires, and Aphrodite is willing to assist in this crime. This callous disregard for the woman demonstrates Sappho 's and Aphrodite 's true …show more content…
This passage shows Hector 's death at the hands of Achilles. This quote is the exact same quote used when describing Patroclus 's death at the hands of Hector: "Death 's veil covered him... forsaking manhood 's bloom" (Homer 158). The fact that both Patroclus and Hector died in the same manner shows the similarities between the opposing armies. There is no difference between the Greeks and Trojans. They live, fight, and die in the same exact way. All of these men are fighting for riches and glory, but their lives are the ultimate sacrifices. Their deaths show the pettiness of war; both men died for what—riches, fame? In the end none of these objectives matter because they are dead. The fact that the men 's souls leave "resentfully" means that they do not want to die. What awaits these men is not a joyous heaven, but the underworld, a miserable place. The lives these men lose are the only things that can give them true happiness, but they sacrificed it all—peace, family, happiness—for the glory of