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How Does Homer Depict War in The Iliad? In The Iliad, war is the honorable thing to do. It seems glorified but on the other hand Homer shows the brutality and injustice of it. From the beginning of The Iliad we are immersed in the middle of a war that began nine years ago between the Greeks and the Trojans. Many things have happened previous to the start of The Iliad for example Homer alludes to the fact that Agamemnon has had to sacrifice his daughter in order for he Greeks to reach Troy. The war has caused a lot of pain and suffering to both the Greeks and the Trojans.
It is shown in its harsh reality, it is not glossed over we see families loosing their loved ones and we see men die gruesome deaths: Death cut him short. The end closed in around him, swirling down his eyes, choking off his breath. Patroclus planted a heel against his chest, wrenched the spear from his wound and the midriff came out with it (Book XVI 93 - 97) According to Homer to fight in the war is the noble thing, the right thing to do. To sit on the side lines and do nothing about it is cowardly and shameful. Homer feels the war is justifiable and the correct way to settle the dispute. It is a valiant and commendable endeavor.
When a man is dies in the poem it is the gallant way to die and be remembered, the winner of the duel is glorified and the loser dying with honor and pride is remembered throughout he poem. We especially see this after Patroclus is killed in battle by Hector. Achilles spends some time mourning his death and vows to avenge him: But now Ill go and meet that murder head-on, that Hector who destroyed the dearest life I know. (Book XVIII 135 - 136) Homer does not let go of the harshness, the reality of death and war. The gruesome images of the dying men and the harsh language used to describe the corpses bring certain realism to the poem. Homer shows that the war not only plays a role in everyones life but it also rules their life. Men are judged based on their bravery and their ability to fight and win battles.
They need to bring honor to their families. Whenever Homer describes men his language usage is strong and vivid: his helmet flashed and the long dark hide of his bossed shield, the rim running the metal edge, drummed his neck and ankles. (Book VI 1 - 3) This creates powerful characters. While the women are always in perpetual fear for their husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons safety: the wives and daughters of Troy came rushing up around him, asking about their sons, brothers, friends and husbands. (Book VI 150 - 151) Homer proves the male characters value the significance of honor, glory and bravery so much that they give up the chance to live long loving lives with family and friends. Take Hector for example: he has a loving wife and son.
When Homer describes him in his flashing helmet he is seen as proud, strong and imposing man. To contrast this when he returns within the walls of Troy he seeks out his wife, Andromache. He finds her and his son waiting for him at the gates. When he greets them the sight of the magnificent helmet causes his son to recoil in fear. He laughs at this with Andromache and slips it off. Hector exchanges words with his wife and she heads back to the house weeping, leaving him standing there.
This scene proves him to be a loving man and very family-orientated. Yet in spite of this due to the war he goes back fights for glory and in doing so leaves his wife a widow and orphans his son. After this scene, Hectors brother, Paris, then comes along and berates himself for being late. Although Hector is furious with Paris he still thinks of him as a good soldier: How could anyone fair and just underrate your work in battle?
Youre a good soldier. (Book VI 487 - 488) In stark contrast to Hector, Paris is seen as a lazy man. He is very self centered and shows interest in fighting. Paris, in fact started the war by taking Helen as his wife. The Trojan men despise him for not fighting in the war he began: when I hear our Trojans heap contempt on you, then men who bear such struggles all for you. (Book VI 491 - 492) Helen even has encouraged Paris to go to war. I think that with this Homer is giving even more of an impression of the importance of going to war. When some of the women are praying for the safe return of their husbands, Helen is urging hers to fight: But just know my wife was bringing me round, her winning words urging me back to battle. (Book VI 265 - 266) Even though Homer glorifies war, he keeps balance in the poem in Book XVIII with his descriptive passages referring to the shield.
The shield is a vision of peace. Although there is a brutal war going on Homer takes the time to give a lengthy and vivid description of the shield. It in contrast to the bleak and depressing matters of war shows hope and happiness. The images embossed on the shield bring memories of past and dreams of peace for the future. Homer shows us that although brutal, war can bring glory and honor. What he also shows is that war can change people.
We see this in Achilles. All throughout the poem, Achilles is shown as a power thirsty, vengeful man. After Hector dies he is transformed from a ruthless brute to a man showing some sympathy and mercy. After having his best friend die and thinking of his own father and the pleas of a dead mans father he shows signs of being a changed man, a man with compassion and mercy.
In conclusion, I think that Homer depicts war in a truly mixed fashion. He shows both the positive and the negative aspects. Highlights all the glory and honor in fighting, but also takes the time to show the perverse aspect of it. He also laces the text with vibrant passages like in Book XVIII about the shield and also even simply describing how someone talks, for example the words flow from Nestors mouth as sweet as honey. word count 1080 incl quotes
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