What Role Do The Gods Play In The Iliad
The Gods and Their Role in the Iliad
The gods in the Iliad are characters who seem very human to us. How do their actions propel the story forward? Are they responsible for the events of the Iliad, or are other characters?
Like normal people, the gods have both good and bad qualities, their own strengths and weaknesses, personal disagreements and struggles. Similarly, like many of the other characters, the gods have a key role in the determining what happens, even from the very beginning. While not the only catalyst to the events of the Iliad, the gods play a significant role throughout the story. Many of the major events of the epic result from either direct, or indirect intervention by the gods, through their interactions with other characters, …show more content…
At the beginning of the first book, the priest Chryses seeks to have his daughter Chryseis returned from Agamemnon’s possession (Iliad 1.11 - 37). His refusal leads to Apollo afflicting the Achaean army with a debilitating plague for 9 days (Iliad 1.50 - 61). The plague results in a disagreement between Agamemnon and Achilles about what to do about Chryseis. Ultimately, Agamemnon decides to return Chryseis, but not before taking Achilles’ own prize, Briseis (Iliad 1.214 - 221). The rift created between Agamemnon and Achilles remains a central issue as the story continues, with lasting consequences.
The Achaeans have already taken a large hit, losing what is perhaps their strongest warrior, but Achilles isn’t finished yet. Wrought with distress, he prays to his goddess mother, Thetis, asking for Zeus to help the Trojan cause, to never allow the Achaeans to prevail in battle until Achilles’ honor is restored (Iliad 1.491 - 510). While not explicitly stated in the Iliad, the ultimate goal of the Achaeans in the Trojan War wreak revenge on the Trojans for taking Helen from Sparta. Achilles' plea to Thetis, and Zeus’ action at her request, are in stark contrast to the plan of the
The gods in the Iliad are characters who seem very human to us. How do their actions propel the story forward? Are they responsible for the events of the Iliad, or are other characters?
Like normal people, the gods have both good and bad qualities, their own strengths and weaknesses, personal disagreements and struggles. Similarly, like many of the other characters, the gods have a key role in the determining what happens, even from the very beginning. While not the only catalyst to the events of the Iliad, the gods play a significant role throughout the story. Many of the major events of the epic result from either direct, or indirect intervention by the gods, through their interactions with other characters, …show more content…
At the beginning of the first book, the priest Chryses seeks to have his daughter Chryseis returned from Agamemnon’s possession (Iliad 1.11 - 37). His refusal leads to Apollo afflicting the Achaean army with a debilitating plague for 9 days (Iliad 1.50 - 61). The plague results in a disagreement between Agamemnon and Achilles about what to do about Chryseis. Ultimately, Agamemnon decides to return Chryseis, but not before taking Achilles’ own prize, Briseis (Iliad 1.214 - 221). The rift created between Agamemnon and Achilles remains a central issue as the story continues, with lasting consequences.
The Achaeans have already taken a large hit, losing what is perhaps their strongest warrior, but Achilles isn’t finished yet. Wrought with distress, he prays to his goddess mother, Thetis, asking for Zeus to help the Trojan cause, to never allow the Achaeans to prevail in battle until Achilles’ honor is restored (Iliad 1.491 - 510). While not explicitly stated in the Iliad, the ultimate goal of the Achaeans in the Trojan War wreak revenge on the Trojans for taking Helen from Sparta. Achilles' plea to Thetis, and Zeus’ action at her request, are in stark contrast to the plan of the