FunminiyiOluyinka
10/20/2014
Humanities 201
Dr. Adam Mekler

Gods, Goddesses and Man-kind In his text the Iliad, Homer writes about the extensive war between Greek and Troy. This war was called the Trojan War. Through Greek's mython the background of the war, Greek readers believe it derived from the extraction of Helen-Menelaus's wife- by Paris-prince of Troy- during the marriage of Thetis and Peleus. In the marriage of Thetis and Peleus, three goddesses- Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite- debated amongst them-selves for the golden apple. Because none of the goddesses could overpower the others, Zeus- head of the gods- appoints Paris to choose the winner among them. Paris chooses Aphrodite and awards her with the golden apple. Even though she was married to another, Helen was presented to Paris of Troyas a giftby Aphrodite. Although Paris takes Helen from Menelaus, it was Aphrodite's intervention in their lives that starts the Trojan War. In the Iliad, gods and goddesses intervene in the lives of man-kind. Throughout the Iliad, the deities’ intervention had a tremendous influence on the outcomes and results of events within the story. The results and outcomes of certain events were in favor of the individuals favored by the gods or goddesses . During his brief introduction in book 1, the speaker introduces evidence of the influence of a supernatural intervention within the lives of the Greek soldiers. Homer states that “…the god/ Struck the Greek camp with plague/ And the soldiers were dying of it.”(Book 1. 14-16) Before Apollo’s attack on the Greek soldiers, Agamemnon’s troops raided andconqueredthe city of Chryse. After defeatingChryse, the Greeks seized all of Chrysetreasures and women. In his attempt to regain his daughter, Chryses- a priest of Apollo, pleads to Agamemnon saying “…give me my daughter back and accept/ This ransom out of respect for Zeus’ son…”(Book 1. 28-29) Agamemnon not only rejects and dismisses his proposal, but also warns Chryses to not return to the Greek’s ship. While in dismay, Chryses prays to Apollo saying “Hear me, Sliverbow, Protector of Chryse…/Grant me this prayer/Let the Danaans pay for my tears with you arrow.”(Book 1.45, 50-51)Apollo annihilates Agamemnon’s men, until Agamemnon returns Chryseisto her father. In the end of the conflict between Apollo and Greek, Chryses receives his daughter and Greek loses a majority of their army. Apollo's intervention in Chryses life is the first display of gods and goddesses influence on the outcome of events in the story. As Greek troops progress towards Troy, Achilles leaves Agamemnon because Agamemnon disrespected him during the crisis with Chryse. On his way home, a Greek trooper informs Achilles of Patroclus death in the War. Because Achilles loved Patroclus, he races to the battle field to avenge Patroclus by killing Hector- Patroclus’s murderer.Becuase Achilles is a demigod, his god-like abilities alwayshim to influence the outcomes of certain events. Prior to Achilles's arrival in the War,Troy was prevailing over the Greeks.After he arrives in the War, Achilles slaughters many Trojans and tilts the battle in favor of the Greeks. In attempts to save the Trojans, Apollo advert Achilles attention to him by disguising himself as a Trojan warrior. With glee from the sight of Achilles behind him, Apollo mocks Achilles saying“. Don't you care about fighting/ The Trojans anymore? You've chased them back/ Intotown, but now you've veering off here."(Book 22.13-14) The previous quote indicates thatApollo tricks Achilles into chasing him, because he wanted to save Hector and the Trojans.Rather than the total annihilation of the Trojans, Apollo's intervention gave the Hector time to