Role of Wrath in the Illiad
Niraj Khatiwada
Seminar Paper
Mr. Davis & Ms. Davis
October 29, 2012
What Role Does Wrath Play In The Iliad?
The very first line in the Iliad states the main theme of the whole story, as Homer asks the Muse to sing of the "wrath of Achilles." This wrath, all its occurrences, transformations, influences, and consequences, unfold the devastating events in the Iliad.
Initially the book starts showing people in a normal state of life, but the main story of Homer’s Iliad, however, starts once there is the ignition of wrath among prominent characters of the story like Agamemnon and Achilles. In the normal state, people are capable of behaving rationally, using experience and wisdom to guide their action. However, during the main action of the Iliad, the wrath of Achilles and that of other dominant characters creates an unfortunate situation that results in many wars and bloodsheds and causes much destruction.
In such a terrible situation, the human desires exceed boundaries, affecting not only the humans but even the gods themselves and disturbing the normal order of the gods and the humans. The resulting disorder is remarkably represented in the Iliad by the chaotic battle between different groups. So is the initiation of greater trouble for Greek soldiers in the Trojan War the result of anger and emotions of Agamemnon, Achilles and eventually of the gods?
The initial stages of the Iliad provide several examples of situations involving anger, demonstrating both correct and incorrect means of dealing with it. Agamemnon initially directed his anger against Chryses who begged Agamemnon to return his daughter Chryseis to him (Book 1, 24-32). Agamemnon refused his demand. The prophet, however, had a close relationship with Apollo. Consequently, Agamemnon’s anger turned out to be fatal, because it involved the god and this resulted in the wide spread of plague in his kingdom.
At the same time, Agamemnon’s anger also dishonored the pride of Achilles
Seminar Paper
Mr. Davis & Ms. Davis
October 29, 2012
What Role Does Wrath Play In The Iliad?
The very first line in the Iliad states the main theme of the whole story, as Homer asks the Muse to sing of the "wrath of Achilles." This wrath, all its occurrences, transformations, influences, and consequences, unfold the devastating events in the Iliad.
Initially the book starts showing people in a normal state of life, but the main story of Homer’s Iliad, however, starts once there is the ignition of wrath among prominent characters of the story like Agamemnon and Achilles. In the normal state, people are capable of behaving rationally, using experience and wisdom to guide their action. However, during the main action of the Iliad, the wrath of Achilles and that of other dominant characters creates an unfortunate situation that results in many wars and bloodsheds and causes much destruction.
In such a terrible situation, the human desires exceed boundaries, affecting not only the humans but even the gods themselves and disturbing the normal order of the gods and the humans. The resulting disorder is remarkably represented in the Iliad by the chaotic battle between different groups. So is the initiation of greater trouble for Greek soldiers in the Trojan War the result of anger and emotions of Agamemnon, Achilles and eventually of the gods?
The initial stages of the Iliad provide several examples of situations involving anger, demonstrating both correct and incorrect means of dealing with it. Agamemnon initially directed his anger against Chryses who begged Agamemnon to return his daughter Chryseis to him (Book 1, 24-32). Agamemnon refused his demand. The prophet, however, had a close relationship with Apollo. Consequently, Agamemnon’s anger turned out to be fatal, because it involved the god and this resulted in the wide spread of plague in his kingdom.
At the same time, Agamemnon’s anger also dishonored the pride of Achilles