Briseis

The Trojan War is one of the most remembered and iconic wars from ancient times. Thought to be fought between 1194 BCE to 1184 BCE, lasting ten years, this war is one that most consider the most thrilling and dramatic from the Greek times. While a great deal of the information we have on the Trojan War is obtained from Homer 's The Iliad, most of it is based in mythology. Zeus hosted a banquet to celebrate the union of Peleus and Thetis, and invited every god, goddess, and demi-god with the…

The great monk, Saint Francis of Assisi, once said, "Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there doubt, faith." This way of explaining faith resonates with my personal beliefs. Faith is usually used to fill one's doubts or confusion. Faith also has various definitions, some of which were used in The Iliad in religious and trusting fashions. Many people have different definitions of faith. The dictionary would define faith as, "the strong belief or trust in…

This week's reading selections from Homer's Iliad and Hesiod's work really struck me because of the sheer amount of what seemed like a lot of social commentary from the two authors. The authors, who lived in two very different political situations, and some interesting things to say about "correct" social order that were quite complimentary. Homer lived in a time where, though the common man was essentially subject to the nobles, they still exercised some political power through participation in…

Greek and Sumerian (Mesopotamian) cultures can demonstrate two completely different ideologies as they existed and thrived in two different time periods. However, because it existed in two different time periods, it does not mean that it cannot give the readers an idea of what they regarded their virtues at the highest standard. Whether it discusses the stories of great men, evil tyrannical lords, hypocritical gods, or the contradiction of how they viewed women, both stories discussed some of…

honor to his uncle’s court. Gawain’s response to unfortunate realities is superb, conversely a hero like Achilles, from the Iliad, lacks the discipline needed to react in an optimistic way. After the death of Patroklos or even the separation between Briseis and Achilles, he acts in a very…

such as The Inheritance Cycle. There are some similarities, but also many differences. The role of women in all of the literature that has been read in-class seems to be whatever the men want. The women seem to be close to slaves, if not slaves. Briseis in The Iliad is literally a slave, is a prize of war, and is treated as such. In Oedipus Rex, Jocasta is the queen Thebes, but that is the end of her titles and power. Oedipus, Creon, even Choragos…

When looking through important epics and mythological tales, specifically The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, and Sinbad the Sailor, readers can see that women play a far different role than men. In each of these texts, the protagonist is always a male character, who is brave, strong, and determined. The women never play these roles, but instead are an accessory to these protagonists, as well as flat and static characters; such as Eurycleia in The Odyssey, with her main goal being to tend to…

The Rise and Fall of Achilles Achilles is one of the greatest warriors of Greek mythology. The myths state that Achilles was extremely brave, handsome and honorable. Although he was amazingly strong, he had one physical weakness–his “Achilles heel.” Throughout the course of his life, Achilles is bothered about his destiny, which is to die a great warrior. According to the gods, he is to live a short, but glorious life. Contemplating whether or not he should die for the war is a part of Achilles…

As the ants go marching, so did Achilles and his army which is said to have morphed into great warriors from ants to serve Achilles grandfather Aiakos.(Achilles) The legend of Achilles is one of great battles and war. The purpose of this paper is to explore his strengths as well as his weaknesses. While Achilles fought and was undefeated in battle, his true weakness was not that of his undipped heel into the River Styx, but his loyalty to others. The legend of Achilles talks about a great…

When Achilles calls council, to discuss and demand that Chryseis be returned to her father Chryses, Agamemnon sees this as a challenge to his honor and leadership. In response, he threatens to take Briseis away from Achilles as a replacement prize, placing his honor above the wellbeing of his army. To this, Achilles lashes out at Agamemnon, retorting that he is, “clothed in shamelessness, thinking of profit, how shall any man of the Achaeans obey your…