The Iliad is primarily a war epic. In your view, is the Iliad a condemnation of the brutality of war, a celebration of the heroism that war can inspire, or an evenly developed examination of both of these aspects? Justify your answer with examples from the epic as well as from life. Your response should be a minimum of 100 words. Be mindful of grammar and spelling. You should also respond to at least 1 classmate with something more thoughtful than merely, "I agree. Great point."
14 Comments
Jacob Crist
9/11/2014 03:57:34 am
In my opinion, it's kind of an overview of both. The war aspect plays a large role in the story no doubt, but the act of heroism that is portrayed is also important. Achilles and Hectors feud left me with the impression that really, none of them are coming off as heroes. But after more discussion, Hector came off more as a hero than Achilles. So id say that the story express both the war aspect as the act of heroism.
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Ellen Yowell
9/14/2014 09:04:14 am
Because Hector fought the end with honor, I agree with you that Hector would be considered more heroic than Achilles. Achille's lack of honor and character in the end makes his victory less heroic in my opinion.
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Payton Stephens
9/14/2014 12:35:38 pm
I completely agree that it is an overview of both the brutality of war and a celebration of heroism. I also agree that Achilles and Hector do not come off as war heroes.
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Kylie Wiens
9/11/2014 07:48:15 am
You kind of see a little bit of both in the story. When Achilles had Hectors dead body, he wanted to do bad things to it. He was mad at Hector, just like people in any type of war, they are mad, and they want to protect their rights, whatever they have to do. And you really see this when it comes to Achilles. They can both be called a hero, because they both acted like one. That's how heroism comes in.
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Rebecca Deist
9/13/2014 01:39:57 am
The Iliad is more focused on the heroes of the story than it is on the actual war. Yes, they are fighting for their people, but how much of the story is really talking about the war itself? Even if you add in what’s not in the excerpt we read in class, it’s mainly talking about Achilles and Hector’s opinions and adventures while the gods discuss and argue over them like it’s some kind of reality show. The war is pushed the the back of the brain as these two go one-on-one at the end.
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Kailey Cordell
9/14/2014 06:47:08 am
The Iliad is more about heroism and less about the brutality of war. The war is more of a backstory in comparison to the test of heroism between Hector and Achilles. There is great respect in war, and as we read the character differences between Hector and Achilles, we get to decide for ourselves who is more heroic. In my opinion, Hector is the hero because he is willingly to respect Achilles and is asking for equal respect. Achilles, however, does not follow the role of a hero because he allows his anger and vengeance to influence the way he treats Hector’s body after his death.
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Nick purcell
9/14/2014 01:44:21 pm
I really like how much you are comparing both hector and Achilles. It shows how it's your own idea and that you know what you are talking about
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Ellen Yowell
9/14/2014 08:58:46 am
While The Iliad is a war epic, I believe its focus is more on the main characters, Hector and Achilles. Both these men are war heroes in the eyes of their countrymen. The storyline follows the changes within these two men. Hector, who began the story as somewhat a coward, dies a hero. His character in the end is seen as much more important than being a coward in the beginning. Achilles, on the other hand, is seen as a war hero, but in the end his lack of honor and integrity makes him less of one. I feel the story is more focused on the comparison of the two heroes and what difference character makes within a hero.
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Caroline May
9/14/2014 10:08:36 am
I personally believe that it focusses mainly on the "heroes" themselves. Obviously war is part of this story, however so is the idea of heroism between the characters of Hector and Achilles. These characters are the main discussion. It barely even talks about the actual war, or what is going on outside the battle between Hector and Achilles. Throughout this story the roles are almost reversed between these two. Achilles comes off as the stronger, more heroic character in the beginning. While Hector is seen as the weaker of the two. In the end Hector is the hero, and Achilles loses respect due to his lack of honoring the code of ethics. This story is basically comparing the two men, and comparing the ideas of what it means to be a hero.
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Payton Stephens
9/14/2014 12:26:41 pm
In my opinion, the Iliad is a mixture of both brutality and heroism. After reading such a small part, it seems like the war itself was extremely brutal while each side focused on their own heroes. Achilles was avenging the loss of his loved one that was killed. However, Hector had a family that he was fighting in the name of honor. Fighting in the name of honor is an example of heroism. Death itself was shown as the brutality of war. I feel both Hector and Achilles began as war heroes but became so enraged with the act of killing that they completely lost sight of right and wrong. They instead turned to revenge and brutality.
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Luke Williams
9/14/2014 12:42:27 pm
I agree that it is both brutality and heroism. With Hector being the more heroic out of the two.
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Jaxon Jumonville
9/14/2014 12:30:52 pm
I see a little of both in the Iliad. But I believe it focuses on the hero aspect more than the brutality of war. Due to the fact that throughout the story it doesn't say much of brutality it talks more of the rivalry between the two hero's. The 1st 3/4 of the story is all about the relationship between the hero's and a little of who they are. You don't read of the brutality of war till that last bit of the story where hectors body is mutilated by the army of Achilles.
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Luke Williams
9/14/2014 12:40:00 pm
I feel that The lliad is a good mixture between both options. While being about war there is a lot of heroic moments shared between the two main characters, Achilles and Hector. While Hector proving to show more heroism than Achilles in different ways. Achilles stands out to be the more cocky war freak that's just glory hungry. Hector loves his people and fights for them not himself. For example when Hector tells Achilles that whoever shall win should not degrade the body of the loser, Achilles responds by telling Hector everything he's going to do to him once he falls.
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Nick purcell
9/14/2014 01:39:25 pm
I believe it's both because hector is showing that being a hero is not only winning you also have to be kind to your enemy. When you look at Achilles side he was showing how war is tough and just because you had good intentions does not mean everyone else is the same. Achilles drags hectors dead body around and let's anyone and everyone degrade his lifeless body there by showing the harshness of war. Hector however said that if he won Achilles body would go back to his family so he could be properly put to rest.
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