"The Iliad"

Paper Summary:

This is a review of some of the issues discussed in Chapter Eighteen of Homer's epic, "The Iliad." The author discusses the significance of the shield fashioned for Achilles by his mother which illustrates the conflict between the martial code of revenge and Achilles personal code of revenge. The author explains that the war, its outcome and consequences are all a result of this personal conflict, which in turn, seals the fate of those connected to the Trojan War. Some of the additional themes discussed include the bloodiness of the war, pettiness and valor and the discord in the cosmos of the gods at that time. The last symbol on the shield is positive, showing hope and restitution, with Achilles granting compassion to the King Pram of Troy, thus showing that he is not completely engulfed by the ugliness of war.

From the Paper:

"This shield will come to represent the fate of Achilles throughout the rest of the epic poem. It will not only protect him, but also be the weapon by which he is known. He will lend his armor to his dearest friend Patroklos. Patroklos will wear the armor into battle, briefly turn the tide of the war to the Greeks, as they think that their greatest fighter as finally returned to the field. Then Patroklos will be killed by Hector when he is both mistaken for the greater warrior and revealed not to be whom his weaponry properties him to be. In revenge for the death of his friend, Achilles will kill Hector and drag the Trojans body around the Greek camp until the old man's father begs Achilles to stop and allow his son to have a proper burial."

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• Analytical Essay # 85775 : "Shame in "The Iliad"
• Poem Review # 144007 : "Homer's "The Iliad"
• Book Review # 96303 : "Homer's "The Iliad"--An Analysis"

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