Illiad Being Acknowledged by Most

¶ … Illiad

Being acknowledged by most people as one of the greatest poets ever to have lived, Homer definitely stands up to his name with the Iliad. The Epic involves a series of clashes between the Greek camp and the Trojan one somewhere at the end of the Trojan War. A large number of heroes and Gods from ancient Greece take part in the war, each bringing admiration through their courageous behavior. The poem engages several notable themes in poetry and metaphors are widespread across all of the twenty-four books.

The poem's first book presents how Agamemnon's behavior leads to the Greek army being quickly decimated and in danger of being crushed by the Trojans. In spite of having to gain his honor back by retrieving Helen, the Greek leader further complicates matters by creating an argument with Achilles over Briseis. Agamemnon motivates his performance by stating that he cannot accept "that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with" him.

The Greek leader soon realizes his action does not advantage him, with Achilles refusing to join him in battle and the Trojans receiving support from Zeus. In spite of the continuous efforts performed by the Greeks, the fighting remains still, with none of the camps advancing. Observing his clear weakness, Agamemnon decides to bring Achilles back into the battle. Refusing his demand, Achilles sends his friend Patroclus to fight in his behalf, bringing hope into the Greeks.

Achilles' decision proves to be fatal to Patroclus, who is captured and murdered by Hector. Destroyed by the occurrence, Achilles responds by taking his army to war against the Trojans, with the intention of avenging his lost companion. Even with his father calls to retreat within Troy's walls without facing Achilles "alone and unsupported," Hector had been determined to battle his enemy.

The Myrmidon king took advantage of the opportunity and began to chase the Trojan, which had lastly realized his physical disadvantage and the fact that he had little chances of winning the combat. Hector had not been moved by his people's cries "and he stood his ground awaiting huge Achilles as he drew nearer towards him." The gods had also intervened in Achilles favor through Minerva, who tricked Agamemnon into thinking that she had been his loved brother, Deiphobus. Agamemnon responded to his brother's calls, stopping to fight Achilles, but shortly understood that he had been deceived, deducing that his "death is now indeed exceedingly near at hand." The clash had clearly been unfair, with Achilles putting an end to Hector's life both because of his physical advantage and because of the assistance received from the gods.

Observing that his son had been killed and that his body had been at the mercy of his enemies, Priam, the king of Troy became desperate, willing to do anything so that Hector's body would return in Troy. Homer virtually introduces the concept of pity into poems by presenting Priam's dialogue with Achilles.