The Iliad of Homer Essay -- essays research papers

The Iliad is the quintessential epic. It is full with gods, goddesses, heroes, fight, honor, glory, and the like. However, for just short while near the truly conclusion homing pigeon avoids all of those epic qualities. The banquet scene in Book XXIV is the most touching, the most human scene in the entire poem . In the midst of the dreadful gulf of war and anger in that respect occurs an intimate mo handst between cardinal men who wryally open much in common below the surface. Priam, grey-headed and fragile, makes his way to the camp of the enemys grea ladder warrior late at night. He bears what little treasures have not been exhausted by the ten-year fight and plans to plead for the rightful return of his sons body. This is his final larger-than-life endeavor. And perhaps, because he has just lost someone so dear to him, he is willing to take the risk despite his fear. What is interesting is that when he does bewilder at the camp of Achilles, his fear suddenly subsides and the old man makes great for the dwelling where Achilles beloved of Zeus was sitting. A decisive moment has arrived for twain men. When Priam enters, Achilles knows that he essential accept his own death with open weaponry while Priam is forced to sit at the knees of Achilles and kiss the hands that have killed his beloved Hektor. Homer seems to stop the action for a moment to allow us feel the intensity of this extraordinary encounter. Priam urges Achilles to think of his own sky pi circle and then pity Priam in his outrageous position, a king "who must put my lips to the hands of the man who has killed my children." Achilles immediately accepts Priams appeal and the two weep for their sons, fathers, and friends. This sharing of common grief becomes a bridge subscribe to human sympathy. In an amazing speech Achilles soothes Priams sorrow by house painting a picture of their common misfortune and the inevitable limits of mortality. He reminds Priam that there is no t anything to be gained from grief for his son. You will never bring him back, he says, sooner you must go through yet another sorrow.though Achilles has matured dramatically since the beginning of the Iliad the complexities of his character dont disappear instantly. Priam asks not to be seated so he can more quickly witness to the return of Hektor. Suddenly Achilles anger flashes out. Though his insight and human benevolence have developed greatly he is still obstinate an... ...an lot he portrays is grim, his actions show a human decency that somehow softens our sense of what it core to be humanNOTE Observe how the plot structure of the Iliad completes itself. In the first book, a father (Chryses) comes to Agamemnon to plead for the return of his child precisely is refused. In the last book, a father (Priam) alike pleads to Achilles for the return of a child this time pity is shown. Though this symmetry is surely there, Homer is an artist who permits complexities and contradi ctions. As you begin to sum up your feelings about the Iliad, test all the threads. The question is not simply is Achilles right or wrong, or are the Trojans or Argives the real heroes. Homer values both cultures. He sees meaning in the heroic code but he also sees its shortcomings. In that same way, he pictures the horrible sufferings of a world at war and yet shows us the human dignity that can devolve through. In the beginning Apollo says that mortals maneuver through Destiny with "the heart of endurance." That is where the Iliad begins and ends. It is ironic that Achilles is young and strong and in his prime while Priam is way sometime(prenominal) his and yet Achilles is nearer to death.