A Heroic Tale or Not

Is the Iliad a tale of a hero? I keep contemplating whether or not Achilles is a great hero who saves his country or if he is just a selfish warrior who wants to gain glory through warfare. War is a harsh and gruesome event and I don’t know if a hero can exist in such conditions? Achilles kills Hector and many others and the story attempts to portray his actions as heroic. I find it difficult to admire a man who waits till his best friend dies to get involved in the war. Achilles is a man whose ego prevents him from fighting in the war and sits aside as his fellow Trojans die. Achilles is a great warrior, but he is not an honorable or loyal human being. I understand that the end of the Iliad represents Achilles grand power and skills as a warrior, but his brutal killing of Hector is appalling and not in accordance with the actions of a hero.

Regardless of Achilles mindset and actions, the Iliad constantly pushes the idea of honor and respect in warfare. There is a reason who the Trojans and Achaeans believe death in battle is a great honor. The battlefield represents an arena for warriors to show their loyalty for their country and die defending their fellow brothers and sisters. True, many warriors fight to gain glory, but I believe that glory is not the essential motive for people. War is not a one on one contest in which the greatest single warrior is named the victor. War during these times was often a numbers game and a large army was very valuable. I find it hard to believe that every individual fights to gain glory. Many soldiers probably go into war with the mindset that they are going to die if they are on the front line. But, there is a certain degree of respect that makes this war seems valuable. The leaders of the Trojans and Achaeans exchange gifts after a day of battle. An agreement is made to return the dead to the respective countries in order to have proper burials for the fallen soldiers. However barbaric war may be these actions are what make this battle honorable and worthwhile. Soldiers are inspired to fight to the death in an effort to protect their country and participate in a battle of respect and honor. If a soldier is killed he knows that he will be given the proper burial for a respectable and grand after life. Achilles actions are in direct contrast to everything the war represents. He drags Hector’s body from his horse and completely destroys the body. Achilles does not show the integrity and honor of a great warrior.

Achilles is a great warrior, but his actions cannot be justified. The end of the Iliad simply describes Achilles’ talents as a warrior, but fails to glorify his actions as a hero. Fighting skills alone do not make one a hero. Achilles has god like abilities, but does not possess the qualities of a hero.

Zeus’s Dilemma

Zeus’s decision to not help save his sons life tells us a lot about the power and actions of the gods in the Iliad. Even though Zeus is presented as the all mighty god that everyone prays to, he is powerless in this situation to help his son Sarpedon. Hera informs Zeus that “if you send Sarpedon home, living still, beware! Then surely some other god will want to sweep his own son clear of the heavy fighting too….you will inspire lethal anger in them all.” Zeus’s primary duty is maintain as much peace and tranquility between the gods and the mortals as possible. Zeus cannot have preferential treatment for his son, at the risk of chaos, destruction and interference on the part of the other gods in the war. Zeus and Hera for that matter are presented as logical and reasonable gods who understand the impact of exercising their power in their actions.

This scene represents the somewhat humanistic aspect of the gods and the pain and suffering they feel just as mortals do. Zeus’s pain is described as, “He showered tears of blood that drenched the Earth, showers in praise of him, his own dear son, and the man Patroclus was just about to kill.” This sort of dramatic and emotional response of tears and sadness is more characteristic of human mourning, yet it is a description of Zeus’s feelings. Giving the gods human emotions allow mortals to better relate and understand the ideology and thinking of the gods. Religion is such a complex philosophy that sometimes is beyond human interpretation, but by depicting Zeus in mourning of his son and powerless to help him, the Iliad gives Zeus’s character meaning and purpose. Just as humans love and feel pain, Zeus has the same feelings and emotions. This scene also shows the idea of an honorable death while in battle. Zeus praises his son for his bravery and courage in battle as he waits for his death. The values of this society are very much based on the principles of gaining the gods approval and one method of doing this is to die honorably in battle fighting for one’s country and people.

Religion, God & War

Gods represent figures of power and strength beyond that of humans, and their presence in battles between Athenians and Trojans signifies the importance of war during this time period. Gods only intervene with human affairs when it comes to meaningful or consequential issues that require their grand power and knowledge. I do not argue that war is a minuscule issue that has no significance, but to see gods quarrel and involved so deeply within the subplots and actions of war is very interesting. The relationship between the gods and humans acknowledges the importance and righteous values of war.

When warriors call upon the gods for the strength and power to kill an enemy, their actions of murder are given meaning and purpose. As Menelaus attempts to kill Paris with his bronze lance he chants a prayer, “Zeus, King, give me revenge, he wronged me first! Illustrious Paris-crush him under my hand!” Menelaus attempts to justify his actions by acknowledging the power and greatness of the God Zeus and asking him to justify his actions as an act of revenge. When Menelaus fails to kill Paris and instead shatters his sword, he cries out to the god, “Father Zeus –no god’s more deadly than you.” This scene and dialogue represents the lack of power and control these warriors felt they had. The gods determined the fate of all men and it was their choice to grant life and take it away. Even though Menelaus was a great warrior, he did not possess the power to kill Paris alone without the help and favor of the gods.

The idea that god or gods influence war has been an essential aspect of warfare throughout history. When countries or nations wage war, gods always seem to appear as an essential ally of both sides. Regardless of religion or faith, some aspect of god is used to justify the reasons of war and all subsequent deaths. When you are involved in a war, it is only logical that you believe you are on the righteous side or the side of the gods. Religion has a universal appeal that people follow and believe with complete dedication.

The Iliad offers a direct approach where the audience is able to see the relationship between the gods and people. The belief of the gods and their power is extremely important in the outcome of the war. Book 5 begins, “Then Pallas Athena granted Tydeus’ son Diomedes strength and daring – so the fighter would shine forth and tower over the Argives and win himself great glory. The god’s are portrayed to have such great influence that without their power there would be no victor. The gods control the both the Trojans and Achaeans and their respective soldiers and warriors. The gods are always present and impacting the lives of men and the outcome of the war. The gods hold the life of man in their hands and have the ability to do with him as they please. The war may be between the Trojans and Acheans, but the gods seemed to be involved within war more so than any other mortal.