Ajax

Achilles, one of the quintessential Greek heroes, embodies the moral dilemma of what constitutes as good. He is a highly celebrated man, but his exaltation could strictly be attributed to just his prowess at warfare. Throughout the Iliad, Homer has consistently stressed the veneration that just the mere presence of Achilles demands from those around him by giving him the major moments of the battle. Additionally, his strength is highlighted at a myriad of instances in the epic by comparing…

The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer to record the events of the Trojan War. The Trojan War is famous for its massive, bloody, and deadly battles. A very interesting element of The Iliad is how Homer tells the story from both the humans’ and the god’s perspective. The gods in the story contain so much human characteristics that they feel more like humans than gods. This contradicts the image of gods. In The Iliad, the gods are not superior and great; they are the reason to why the war…

Cool and Creative Title The natural elements are incredibly destructive. From tornados to forest fires to earthquakes, nature has the power to wreak havoc on anything in its path. Homer’s The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem set in the last year of the Trojan War. Long and detailed similes are found in abundance within the poem. These similes are often used to emphasize the strength and power of warriors. While many similes compare warriors to animals, only a few compare warriors to nature.…

Franklin D. Roosevelt once stated: “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.” Roosevelt makes a robust statement here about the importance of relationships, which brings up the question ‘why are relationships important?’ People have a plethora of relationships, from the relationship with one’s family to their relationship with their God(s), and each has…

There are many moments throughout The Iliad that people are admitting they are wrong and asking for forgiveness. The Gods and Goddesses even have moments where they are not perfect. Many times the wrongs are created during all the fighting within the war. Other times these issues are created because of certain people’s deaths. All of these problems happened because people were selfish, complained, and had no care toward anyone else around them. Some moments in the Iliad where people admitted…

In Homer’s Greek epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus possesses several characteristics that qualify him to be a man of honor in classical Greek literature. However, in Emily Wilson’s translation, Odysseus’s epithet is described as “complicated”, and in Robert Fagles’s translation, he is referred to as a “man of twists and turns” (Homer, The Odyssey, 1.1). Odysseus’s moral values encompass those of a hero, such as his outstanding capabilities as a warrior and tactician, but his negligence and exaggerated…

"All men naturally seek heroes (Scheske 1)." Until the end of time there will be heroes, they naturally occur whether they are true or false heroes. People look to complete themselves through another person. Humanity wants to be able to look up to someone and aspire to be like them. Everyone has either an idol or a hero that they admire. Long ago a hero had a completely different definition. Heroes used to be great warriors who killed people and creatures and who took territories. A hero would…

In Homer’s Iliad, it is debateable whether or not Achilles is responsible for his own fate, linked to his level of free choice. Achilles’ fate in the Iliad ends up with him killing Hector and then later dying young with glory as opposed to a long, inconspicuous life. Upon examining Achilles’ choices in the Iliad, it is evident that Achilles play a significant role in deciding his own fate, even if he is not aware of it. This can be shown by looking at one of the major choices Achilles makes,…

In the Ancient Greek culture, honor was the most crucial virtue in their society. While honor might mean different things in different cultures; to the Ancient Greeks honor was an important part of their lives and culture. However, to the Ancient Greeks it was more than just honor that formed their identity. Arête as the Ancient Greeks called it consisted of honor, masculine virtue, physical strength, courage, success in battle and everlasting fame. Arête was the foundation of the family and the…

Sophocles’ play Ajax deals with the story of Ajax’s suicide, and the reactions that come before and after the act has taken place. The reason for Ajax’s suicide is in response to his failed attempt to kill the Greek leaders. However, this does not make Ajax’s suicide justifiable and would have been more acceptable to continue living yet this does not make him entirely to blame due to the prophecy given. This can be shown by examining the effect his suicide has on his family, the cowardliness…