(A discussion on the effect of violence on the message of The Iliad)
Violence is one of the characteristics of humanity that sets man apart from animals. Very few other species commit acts of war. Being that humans are nigh defined by violence, it stands to reason that violence, or aggressive action against another, is integral to human cultures. What makes a man in some cultures depends on his prowess in battle. Many peoples will pick leaders based on how well they protect their community. What matters to a culture also exhibits itself in that culture’s literary works. If all human literature were to be examined, an act of violence would rear its ugly head in the majority of the works. The reason why violence is so prevalent