Homeric Rage and Heroism Essay - 1127 Words

After reading the ancient Greek stories entitled The Iliad and Medea, authored by Homer and Euripides, respectively, I realized a startling and disturbing truth involving society during ancient Greek times. It seems as though no matter how similar the circumstances, or how similar the action undertaken and the reason for undertaking such an action, women in ancient Greek society were never, ever, regarded as being heroic. While a man who chose to commit selfishly rageful atrocities during this period was considered admirable, honorable, and was revered by others, the same truth did not apply to women, even if they were essentially forced into a similar situation. This conclusion was reached after an in-depth comparison of the†¦show more content†¦Due to the actions of his superior (and also King), Achilles becomes enraged and throws a giant hissy-fit, giving up on his own people and deciding he will not fight for them anymore at all. In fact, Achilles actually requests f rom the Gods (through an intermediary) that his own people begin to loose the war in favor of the opposition because of his enraged emotions. Achilles will not enter the battle no matter what, even when faced with routed troops and an endangered camp. Only a stronger rage, brought on by the death of a close friend (BookRags), propels him back into action. It is at this point that countless deaths follow Achilles rage (BookRags), and the barbaric violence of maiming and killing by Achilles and his cohorts is gruesomely depicted in detail. With Achilles back in action, and his rage in tow, he goes on to kill all who cross his path, enabling his people to become the eventual victors of the ten year war. This murderous tirade is also what catapults Achilles into heroic stature as greatest of the Greek warriors (Encarta). On the other hand, the story of Medea exemplifies the adage hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Medeas story is similar to Achilles in that her actions are seemingly forced by the actions of another man, her husband Jason, and rage eventually overcomes her. Even though the issue of rage is not as prominent throughout Medea, it is essentially the most important aspect of the story. She sacrificesShow MoreRelatedHomeric Heroes : The Heroic Hero1249 Words   |  5 PagesIn accordance with temperance, battle is the most important aspect of Homeric Heroes. It is on a battlefield that heroes gain glory for fighting, prizes for their accomplishments, and honor for their actions. However, hero he may be, Achilles â€Å"was not to be seen in council, that arena for glory, nor in battle† (Book 1, 518-519). He was â€Å"throwing his heroism away† by not taking part in the event that made people heroes. Prior to this, Achilles was a well-recognized hero. Goddesses said â₠¬Å"when godlikeRead MoreThe Iliad, By Homer1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe Iliad, along with the Odyssey, is one of two epics handed down through the Homeric tradition in the Greek Dark Ages, considered by many to be the Heroic Age. However, the key issue lies with the fact that ancient Greeks define a ‘hero’ very differently from what we would consider a ‘hero’ to be today. In ancient Greece, a hero is any human descended from the gods and bequeathed with superhuman abilities. By this definition, Achilles is immediately classified as a hero, no matter his actions.Read MoreAnalysis Of Odysseus1716 Words   |  7 PagesHomer the greatest warriors were some of the most legendary men around. Odysseus is exalted on this island, much unlike how Dante meets him in Hell. When we first encounter Dantes Odysseus we find him in a humiliated state. Rather than burning with rage cutting down Trojans or Penelope’s suitors, he is trapped in a flame burning alongside fellow Greek soldier Diomedes. Dante humbles Odysseus because of his Christianity – he deems Odysseus’ actions to be morally reprehensible. He acknowledges theRead More Expression of Self-worth in Homer’s Iliad1400 Words   |  6 PagesAgamemnon, and men die of plague; —I won’t give up the woman! (7.416) cries Paris, and Troy burns. The Iliad is, above all, is about a war for honor, and at every phase one is reminded of the indelible linkage of property and self in the Homeric ideal. From the rage of Achilles over his loss of his concubine Briseis to the confrontation between Achilles and Priam over the body of Hector, the Iliad begins and ends with disputes over just ownership. To deny this while searching for higher motives ignoresRead MoreA True H ero in the Epic of Gigamesh Essay1689 Words   |  7 Pagesman.† (Kluger) Consequently, Gilgamesh, as the hero must learn to be satisfied with the normal pleasures of everyday human life if he is incapable of destroying himself. The resolution of the conflict resulting from the virtues of individualistic heroism and that of public responsibility and leadership will arise when Gilgamesh recognizes that he must give up the illusion of living a life not destined for him, learn to value normality in all aspects within himself, and take on the role of a naturalRead MoreThe Iliad Or The Poem Of Force1472 Words   |  6 Pagesbecomes a warrior (155). Simone Weil records The Iliad as a evil and vanity of war, but she fails to do justice to the complexity of Homer s challenging vision. She turns a blind eye to poem s commitment to heroism, a concept she assigns force as the poem s true hero. Weil overlooks the Homeric hero’s investment in the ethos of glory and the participati on in the â€Å"noblest deeds of men,† which is present in The Iliad’s â€Å"true hero,† Hector. In The Iliad, war generates the most meaningful, noble, andRead MoreComparing The Epic The Iliad Against The Bible s First Book Genesis Essay1877 Words   |  8 PagesUpon initial consideration, comparing similarities in the Homeric epic The Iliad against the Bible’s first book Genesis would seem outlandish. The comparisons between the two tales may not be abundantly clear. The parables of the Bible serve as religious cornerstones for society, while Greek tragedies serve as the moral lessons on which our culture is predicated. Fate in both narratives is understood to be a governing body, with a prominence being placed on remaining on the course with that whichRead MoreAchilles, Agamemnon and Hektor, Three Great Heroes with Different Characteristics.1485 Words   |  6 Pagesgreatest warrior of them is Achilles. Achilles is the son of Peleus and Thetis, the sea Goddess. His father Peleus is the king of Myrmidons which Achilles as their leader, joined King Agamemnon’s army and went to Troy to fight among Greeks. In the Homeric Iliad, Achilles possesses all the characteristics of a real hero with exceptions to his lack of a hero’s personality and intelligence. His personality differs widely when compared with the personalities of the other heroes described in the Iliad.Read More Mythology in Oedipus Rex Essays3980 Words   |  16 Pagesbeen, who naturally did and suffered what the tales say they did and suffered?† That was his method of analysis (38).    The Greek Sophoclean tragedy Oedipus Rex is based on a myth from the Homeric epic Odysseus. With his tragic flaw the protagonist, Oedipus, lives out the main episodes of the Homeric myth.    In his essay â€Å"Sophoclean Tragedy† Friedrich Nietzsche searches out the mythology in this drama, and finds that the story originates in Persia:    Oedipus who murders his fatherRead More Mythology in Oedipus Rex Essay examples4094 Words   |  17 Pagessymbolical. The old stories are indeed told again for their own sake, and there is no lack of dramatic tension and human interest, but they also exemplify some far-reaching problem, which is admirably presented in this individual shape(31).    The Homeric myth provides the story of the fall of a man from prosperity to adversity. Sophocles takes the myth and dramatizes it in such a way that every word and action makes an impact on the audience. The audience can see the error that beset Oedipus, and