The ILIAD - Homer PT. 3

The Greeks strongly believe in 

FATE or DESTINY

,that is, nothing happens unless it is destined to be so. 

Does this mean that, in the Trojan War, the heroes' free and strong will to win is immaterial? 

Do you agree that the victories of the Trojans (in books 12 and 17) and the Greeks (in 13, 14, and 16) are all willed by the Gods? Explain your answer. 

Cite textual details.

Greeks believe don’t just believe that it is true but they also make steps to make the foretold destiny to happen. Greeks won’t surrender to their enemies without trying or exerting their effort to win the battle. The warriors in the story tried to neglect what the Gods have foretold. They tried to make the foretold destiny happen

Opposing the fate assigned to them is right. Letting your enemy win without trying to defend your own land is betrayal to your own duties as a warrior. If God’s has foresaw that your group will lose then you should try to oppose it and let it happen. No one in this world would like to lose in a battle. Both lands didn’t win their battle because of destiny. They won their battle because of their struggles to achieve victory and their own efforts to defend their kingdom. I believe that their faith is similar to our faith and that is God has given us the blessings, and it is up to do our duties in a manner pleasing to God. And just like what Greeks and Trojans did, they fulfilled their duties of defending their land in a manner pleasing to their Gods.

The ILIAD - Homer PT. 2

 Analyze the character of Achilles 

as shown in Books 9-11

  Are his decisions appropriate for a king like him? Why/ why not? What kind of warrior is he?

        Achilles is The King of the Achaeans and is the son of Thetis and Peleus. As a warrior, he is feared by his enemies whenever they see his helmet, hear his name, or encounter Achilles they become cowards. In contrary, Achilles is selfish. He fight for what he thinks is good for him. He refused to join the march heading to the gates of Troy for the reason that the king had taken his spouse as a prize which dishonored him.

      His actions and decisions show his bad traits which are being selfish and being coward and is not appropriate for a king like him. This was shown in the part of the story when he abandoned his army to pray to Zeus. He wanted to win the war just to regain his honor. As a king his actions should set an example and leave a good mark on his reputation. His decisions must be just and must have good benefit for the majority of his dominions. He is the highest and most-powerful, therefore he should not let his feelings and emotions affect his decisions and action. Each of Achilles decisions and actions are going to leave a mark on his reputation and honor. Achilles himself is the one taking away his honor and staining his reputation.

The Iliad - Homer

Narrate how King Agamemnon shows stubbornness of heart in books 1-5

  Cite modern day examples/people who display the same stubbornness of heart.

Agamemnon chose to satisfy his own need rather than the safety of his kingdom. He didn’t stop Apollo from destroying his city all because of his love for Achilles’ spouse. The destruction of his kingdom lasted for nine days until his dominions expressed themselves to him but King Agamemnon didn’t listen to his dominions’ pleads. The only time King Agamemnon would hand over his grip upon the daughter of Apollo’s priest is when Achilles surrenders his spouse to him. For the safety of the kingdom, Achilles gave up his spouse with a heavy heart and the intent for revenge against King Agamemnon. The stubbornness of King Agamemnon leads to the destruction of his kingdom and a new foe.

Today, some people exhibit same stubbornness of heart like King Agamemnon. The greediness some people in our society makes them stubborn enough for them not to give up their power and pride over those people who are lower than them. Stubbornness often leads to more problems because people seldom admit their mistakes and their failure to fulfill their responsibilities and duties.

Stubborn people in our society, just like King Agamemnon in the story, are very common for us nowadays. They are present not only in the politics, media, and education but also in our family. Most of teenagers are stubborn. They refused to obey their elders and admit their mistakes. The eyes of teenagers are covered with what they believe in and with what the trend of the environment they live in told them. Youth of today are often like this and by the time they realize it, it’s too late already, just like King Agamemnon in the story of Iliad.