Iliad by Homer Chapter One

Iliad by Homer Chapter One begins with the a description of Achilles as an angry man whose anger caused his people, the Achaeans, a lot of casualties in their war against the Trojans when he initially refused to join them in their fight because of his pride and resentment against their leader, King Agamemnon. It goes on to recount the suffering of the Achaeans from pestilence brought by the god Apollo who had been displeased by the King.

It also relays the fight between Achilles and Agamemnon which was set off by a dispute over Briseis, a woman captured in one of the wars who belonged to Achilles but whom Agamemnon coveted after he was forced to return his own captured woman slave Chryses.

Noting that the entire war between the Achaeans and the Trojans began with the elopement of Helen and Alexandros and Menelaos' efforts to get her back, one of the first recurring themes that may be found in the Book One would be how the question of to whom women's affections belong or even more literally, to whom they "belong" as spoils of war, can cause a lot of conflict among powerful men who let their emotions get the better of them and decide to involve the fate of their nations in their personal concerns.

This idea must be viewed from the perspective of the patriarchal Greek culture which practiced the distribution of captured women in wars as slaves and spoils for the victorious soldiers. In relation to this, one of the main recurring themes emerge. This theme revolves around how some men, with their power and influence over a nation, allow their temper, emotions, and personal grudges control or affect their decisions over the welfare and future of their people. This causes much conflict, violence, death, and suffering.

Indeed, as mentioned above, the war between the Achaeans and the Trojans began with one man's quest to forcibly get back the wife who had voluntarily left him for another man. The subsequent decisions made which lead to the Trojan War may have been subverted had the parties rationally reflected on the consequences of their actions and settled their personal dispute among themselves without involving their people.

However, since the personalities involved were in leadership positions and used to availing the resources and support of their nations to get what they want, it must have been but natural for them to involve the fate of their people in their own private affairs. Meanwhile, over and above the impulsive decisions and actions of men, the effect of the favor and disfavor of gods and goddesses also control the fate of nations and individuals is another recurring theme in the book.

Numerous scenes where the gods and goddesses argue amongst themselves, Zeus against Hera, Athena against Zeus, and the like were recounted by Homer. Each would champion his/her favorite mortal who had faithfully worshipped them and strive to save the mortal from injury in war or guide the mortal to wisdom and prudent action. However, since not all the gods would be of one mind, there would always be disputes and ultimately it was Zeus' will and decisions that would prevail.

It should be noted however that he would often still take into consideration the advice and the views of the other gods and goddesses as argued by his wife. This was why he allowed the Trojans to be defeated and allowed Hector's death. This is also illustrated in the latter verses of Chapter One which depicts how Achilles' goddess mother, Thetis, invoked the help and favor of Zeus to allow the Trojans to get the best of the Achaeans for as long as Achilles is not summoned to battle.

The book also describes the foregone decision of the result of the war as decided by Hera who held a vicious grudge against the Trojans. The events in Book Four perfectly portrays how despite the truce forged and upheld after the fight between Menelaos and Alexandros, it is through the meddling of the gods and goddesses in the form of Athena's machinations to convince Pandaros to break the truce that caused the war to begin again.

In the end of Book Sixteen, Patroclus dies because the gods chose to withdraw their protection and instilled dangerous temper in his heart at a critical time in the battle. Up to that time, gods had not let that helmet with its horsehair plume get smudged with dirt, for it was always guarding godlike Achilles' head, his noble forehead, too. Later Zeus awarded it to Hector to carry on his head, as his death loomed.

[800] In Patroclus' hands, his heavy long-shadowed spear, 930 thick and strong, with its bronze point, was completely smashed. His tasselled shield and strap fell from his shoulders down on the ground. Next, Apollo, Zeus' son, loosened the body armour on Patroclus. His mind went blank, his fine limbs grew limp -- he stood there in a daze. Indeed, even Achilles and slays Hector with the close assistance of Pallos Athena.

However, it may also be observed that the meddling of the gods, their disguises and the suggestions they offer to mortals that seem to easily overpower their good judgment, mostly come in the form of destructive emotions. In the case of Achilles in most of the Books, it is anger and pride. In the case of Pandaros, ambition, while in the case of Patroclus, it is anger and impulsiveness.

It may seem that the author is warning his readers against these negative emotions by showing the havoc they wreak and suffering they cause. Meanwhile, the latter chapters show Hector, the Trojan, and his sense of duty and heroism in comparison.