Gods and goddesses have a vital role in influencing the plot of the Iliad. It is the actions of these deities that began the Trojan War, and it is their actions that continue the war, adding intricacies to the tale. For this reason, it can be said in the Iliad the gods and goddesses are characters, a designation typically reserved only for mortals. The most influential, of course, being Zeus, given his position as the leader of the rest of the Olympus dwellers. Since he appears numerous times throughout the epic, and nearly always in the climatic passages, his importance is emphasized. Despite his regular interjections, or perhaps because of them, Zeus remains a difficult individual to characterize. Although he can be considered cruel at times,
…show more content…
She puts forth a rather persuasive plea, using the known ill fate of Achilles and the injustice of his prize being taken from him. Zeus agrees to do what she asks: to make it appear as if the Trojans will be triumphant until Achilles enters the battle and saves the Greeks. He agrees to demonstrate the repercussions for violating the codes that govern the soldiers, even though in doing so he will face strife with many of the other gods including his own wife. Regardless, Zeus stands by his word. After much battling, and many rather gory deaths, the Trojans make it to the ships, with Zeus helping them ever so subtly along the way. For instance, Zeus withdrew Hector from the battlefield during Agamemnon’s aristeia to protect the Trojan hero and by extension the Trojans as a whole (Homer 203). Moreover, when Hector needed to lift a boulder far too substantial for any ordinary man, Zeus lessened the burden so Hector could break through the gates protecting the ships (Homer 237). Afterward, however, “he left the combatants to their misery and turned his luminous eyes/ Far away,” and thus ceased assisting the Trojans since they now were near victory, honoring the condition of his promise (Homer …show more content…
Yet, if his actions are analyzed, benevolent intentions can actually be discovered. All other characters, gods and mortals alike, serve their own self-interests throughout the epic. Warriors like Hector and Achilles fight for prizes and honor. The other gods act in a manner to increase their own standing in a complex game of politics. Zeus abides by a higher purpose. He promotes justice, not his own agenda. This is evident by him keeping his word and illustrating the need to follow the warrior’s social doctrine. Likewise, it is shown when he manages the deities in order to decrease the chaos of the battle and him often being unkind so that his ruling can be effective. Thus, I would conclude Zeus is actually the protagonist in the Iliad. This must be as he is the sole character advocating for what is right and
She puts forth a rather persuasive plea, using the known ill fate of Achilles and the injustice of his prize being taken from him. Zeus agrees to do what she asks: to make it appear as if the Trojans will be triumphant until Achilles enters the battle and saves the Greeks. He agrees to demonstrate the repercussions for violating the codes that govern the soldiers, even though in doing so he will face strife with many of the other gods including his own wife. Regardless, Zeus stands by his word. After much battling, and many rather gory deaths, the Trojans make it to the ships, with Zeus helping them ever so subtly along the way. For instance, Zeus withdrew Hector from the battlefield during Agamemnon’s aristeia to protect the Trojan hero and by extension the Trojans as a whole (Homer 203). Moreover, when Hector needed to lift a boulder far too substantial for any ordinary man, Zeus lessened the burden so Hector could break through the gates protecting the ships (Homer 237). Afterward, however, “he left the combatants to their misery and turned his luminous eyes/ Far away,” and thus ceased assisting the Trojans since they now were near victory, honoring the condition of his promise (Homer …show more content…
Yet, if his actions are analyzed, benevolent intentions can actually be discovered. All other characters, gods and mortals alike, serve their own self-interests throughout the epic. Warriors like Hector and Achilles fight for prizes and honor. The other gods act in a manner to increase their own standing in a complex game of politics. Zeus abides by a higher purpose. He promotes justice, not his own agenda. This is evident by him keeping his word and illustrating the need to follow the warrior’s social doctrine. Likewise, it is shown when he manages the deities in order to decrease the chaos of the battle and him often being unkind so that his ruling can be effective. Thus, I would conclude Zeus is actually the protagonist in the Iliad. This must be as he is the sole character advocating for what is right and