The Iliad Is an Ancient Story - Essay Example

? The Iliad is an ancient story that analyzes the actions and motivations of many relatable characters. These characters are driven by their own strengths and weaknesses. In this story I see how the human psyche has remained constant throughout time. Ego, greed, loyalty, and the greater good is a constant theme that the characters possess. The actions driven by these human conditions have reaching affects on the entire world of The Iliad. Agamemnon leads the Achaians in the war against the Trojans. His actions affect the war throughout The Iliad. His weaknesses become obvious, to me, within the first few pages of the story. He shows a selfish arrogance when he refuses to accept a bribe to return a priest’s daughter. He boasts, “She shall grow old in my house at Argos.” (Homer, p2). This action is against the opinion of his council, who all believe he should return the woman. When he refuses the priest a plague comes upon his people. I believe this symbolizes the destructiveness of Agamemnon’s ego. Even when he is given a solution to the plague, he is resistant to the news because it conflicts with what his ego wants. An oracle tells him that the woman must be returned to her father. While he accepts the solution, he makes demands that angers Achilles. He wants compensation for the loss. Because Achilles argues the idea of others giving their share of spoils, Agamemnon takes Achilles woman. I can see how Agamemnon rationalizes his greed, but I feel that his thinking and actions are not very functional. This is because when Agamemnon takes Achilles woman, Achilles takes his support and leaves the battlefield. This loss eventually effects how the war is played out. With all of the faults, I do see strengths in Agamemnon. He is a respected king and leads his men for the best interest of his family. I find that this shows a strong devotion to his brother, Menelaos and sister-in-law, Helen. He wants to rescue Helen from the Trojans for the sake of Menelaos. Agamemnon is also willing to listen to the council of Nestor and Ulysses. This leads to a display of humility when the two show Agamemnon his fault in slighting Achilles. He openly admits to his mistake. “Sir, you have reproved my folly justly. I was wrong. I own it.” (Homer, p285). Agamemnon is moved to reconcile with Achilles. He puts his ego aside for the greater good and offers to return what he took from Achilles and more wealth on top of that. Agamemnon cannot help but be a driving force of the war. He is the king leading the Achaians. His action that drove away Achilles directly affects the final outcome. I see Agamemnon as shadow of an archetype. His ego and greed is his driving force. While he has good qualities, the negative qualities of his psyche forces him make inferior decisions. Hector leads the Trojan army. He is also the brother of Paris, the man who kidnapped Menelaos’ wife, Helen. Hector does not seem to possess the same arrogance as Agamemnon. Hector goes to Agamemnon to attempt a peace. He takes his brother’s offer to fight Menelaos. At this point he shows temperance and thoughtfulness. Hector shows himself to be a prince concerned about the people. I feel Hector gives an image of a noble leader. He feels a strong duty to the people of Troy. “I am in haste to help the Trojans; who miss me greatly when I am not among them.” (Homer, p. 211) Hector’s family is important to him as well. Hector takes a moment to return home to see his wife and child, before going back into battle. While Hector’s duty, to family and Troy, is considered a strength, it can also be a weakness. I see a man trapped by this position given him. He seems to have no choice but to go into battle. Hector is also willing to allow his brother to sacrifice himself for the sake of ending the war. This duty and sense of sacrifice spurns Hector’s contempt for Paris. Paris shows himself to be a coward. Hector repeatedly scolds Paris for his actions. He has little tolerance for what his brother has done; therefore I believe that Paris solidifies Hector’s position. Like Agamemnon, Hector is a leader of an army. This makes him an important part of the war. He takes his men to battle and prevents Agamemnon’s forces from retreating to their ships. This leads to Agamemnon’s first attempt to regain Achilles favor. Hector also kills Patroclus, a friend of Achilles. This leads Achilles back into battle against the Trojans. I see Hector responding not out of ego, but out of what he feels is his duty. He knows what he must do, even if it means his end. I feel he is the opposite of Agamemnon. Paris is a character of flaws. He not only plays a role in the war, he is the cause of it. Paris starts the long war by abducting Helen, wife of Menelaos. In the beginning of the story Paris steps into battle. He challenges the bravest of the Achaeans to fight him. Menelaos takes this challenge as an opportunity for revenge. Paris runs away and hides among the other Trojan soldiers. I see Paris with a psyche that wants to be brave, but his unconscious leads him to be a coward. “As one who starts back affrighted, trembling and pale.” (Homer, p. 86). Hector finds Paris after the battle. Paris is berated by Hector. He accepts the words of his brother and offers to fight Menelaos one on one. This time Paris does not run from the battle, but loses quickly. He is, however, saved by the goddess Venus. Paris’ ego seems to expect and believes that he deserves to be rescued He also shows greed when he refuses to give up Helen, even if it means an end to the war. Paris does show love for his brother, Hector and his wife, Helen. This however does not outweigh his short comings. He started the war because of his greed and was unwilling to own up to his crime because of his cowardly actions. It seems to me that Paris believes that he is in the right. This attitude leads to destructive choices throughout the story. Ulysses is a respective and trusted member of Agamemnon’s counsel. Many times, when he talks to Agamemnon and other ranking leaders, he is quick to point out the greater good. He is also a loyal and fierce soldier that believes in what he is doing. Ulysses would rather die in battle than be named a coward. He also takes the killing of a fellow soldier personally and takes revenge on the Trojan. “Ulysses, infuriated by the death of his comrade, hit him with his spear.” (Homer, p. 136) His loyalty and strength can be inspiring. I see him as a classic hero archetype. However, Ulysses is not without flaws. He is quick to anger and is willing to voice his displeasure openly, even to the king’s face. When in battle, he is shown to be brutal and violent. While it is not openly displayed, Ulysses is often referred to as crafty. Helen is asked to name the chiefs that are on the field. “He is Ulysses, a man of great craft, son of Laertes. He was born in rugged Ithaca, and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning.” (Homer, p. 96) This tells me that there is more to Ulysses than what this story tells. Ulysses is a subtle influence in the war. His position as one of Agamemnon’s counselors gives the king small pushes to what becomes the inevitable outcome. He is motivated by the higher call of his archetype of the hero. It is loyalty to his king and fellow soldiers that drive him, not his ego. Achilles is another man of ego. This is evident in his first altercation with Agamemnon. I find many similarities in both men. They are prideful and stubborn. Achilles seems to hold a grudge. In this I find Agamemnon a better man, since he is first to let go of the past, while Achilles holds on to his anger. This anger is pointed out when Agamemnon tries to bring Achilles back into the fold. “You must come upon some great matter, you, who for all my anger are still dearest to me of the Achaeans.” (Homer, p. 289) Despite Achilles’ anger and ego, he shows the he is equally driven by loyalty. I find these two emotions are balanced together, like polar opposites. He shows concern for his former brothers-in-arms by wanting news of the war. However, he is unwilling to ask how the war is going by returning and asking himself. Achilles sends his friend, Patroclus, to spy for him. This action, as innocent as it seems, proves to be a turning point for Achilles. Patroclus is sent back to persuade Achilles to return. When Achilles refuses a second time, Patroclus devises a plan. Patroclus will wear Achilles armor and go into battle as the tragic hero. Reluctantly Achilles agrees and Patroclus goes into battle. At first the Trojan army is fooled and is fearful, but the deception is revealed. Hector attacks and kills Achilles friend. As this plays out I see how the actions of the other characters lead to Achilles final choices. His equal parts of pride and devotion make it impossible for Achilles to do anything, but return. Achilles’ return is motivated by selfish revenge. He is warned that he will die if he takes revenge on Hector. I believe that Achilles’ psyche, as a warrior, prevents him from taking the warning to heart. He is willing to die for his revenge. “I will pursue Hector who has slain him whom I loved so dearly, and will then abide my doom.” (Homer p. 647) He is trapped by who he is. Achilles identity is the tragic and heroic figure. Achilles and Hector face each other, one on one. In an ironic turn Hector runs as his brother Paris did, when faced with Menelaos. Achilles in the end kills Hector, sealing both of their fates. Achilles’ actions come out of his ego. He does not fight out of the greater good. I picture a tragic and selfish man. Achilles seems to only care about himself. He takes his revenge because of his loss. He leaves the battlefield because he was slighted. I find it hard to deeply sympathize with Achilles, because his reasoning seems to be self serving and flawed. The Iliad is a complicated story with classic themes. From heroic archetypes to tragic archetypes, many psyches are displayed. Motivations, conscious and unconscious, move the characters to the inevitable end of the story. It is a classic and enduring story, because it shows how human we are and always will be. Resources Homer and Butler, Samuel (translation), The Iliad and The Odyssey. Buki Editions 2010, Nook eBook file. Read More