The Greek-Trojan War In The Iliad
The gods and goddesses that the Greek people believe in make up the
Greek mythology studied today. These divine characters represent a family
living on Mount Olympus who intervene frequently in the lives of the human
characters in Greek plays. They are omnipresent, for they are always observing
mans actions and working through human nature. The gods are a higher power, and
provide explanations for otherwise unexplainable events. The gods help humans
in trouble and give them guidance about the future. The Olympians influence men
on earth both psychologically and physically. In Homer's epic poem, The Iliad,
the intervention of such divine powers as Athena, Apollo, and Zeus ...
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by quoting what Athena says to Achilles :
I came from heaven to stay thine anger, if perchance though wilt
hearken to me, being sent forth of the white-armed goddess Hera,
that loveth you twain alike and careth for you. Go to now, cense
from strife, and let not thine hand draw the sword.(65)
Achilles listens to Athena's request, and therefore he returns his sword
to its sheath, and withdraws from battle. Athena also assists Achilles in his
battle with Hektor. Malcolm Willcock quotes, “After deceiving Hektor into
fighting Achilles,she comes to his aid by returning his sword to him” (244).
This intervention is the greatest assist of a divine power to a human being in
The Iliad.
Athena also plays an influential role in the battles of Diomedes.
Martin Mueller reveals, “Athena is closest to Diomedes. “ She is with him at
the beginning and end of his aristeia and she addresses him without disguise”
(136). Athena also urges Diomedes to fight Aphrodite. ...
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tells us, “He is the archer god who strikes from afar, the god of
disease and healing” (4). Apollo's first intervention occurs after Agamemnon
had taken Apollo's priest daughter as a war prize. Apollo sends a nine day
pestilence upon the Greeks. “Pack animals were his first target, and dogs, /
but soldiers, too, soon felt transfixing pain from his hard shots and pyres
burned night and day” (Iliad I. 23-24). Apollo also intervenes in the Greek-
Trojan War to assist the human characters. One of the warriors Apollo assists
is Pandaros. In fact, Apollo is the one who gave Pandaros his bow after he
broke the truce with Menelaos by shooting an arrow at him. But, this ...
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"The Greek-Trojan War In The Iliad." Essayworld.com. July 6, 2008. Accessed April 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Greek-Trojan-War-In-Iliad/86352.
"The Greek-Trojan War In The Iliad." Essayworld.com. July 6, 2008. Accessed April 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Greek-Trojan-War-In-Iliad/86352.
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