Delusion as a Force

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer looks at how Homer portrays several types of forces, along with the forces of the Gods, that contribute to shaping man's behavior. Delusion's character is one of the many that demonstrate how the will of man according to Homer is often guided by the supernatural. The writer notes that moreover, Delusion is a specific example of how even the Gods are inferior to the higher force of fate. The writer concludes that, in his writings, Homer uses names to account for social forces that in his time remained unexplainable.

From the Paper:

"Agamemnon comes entice Achilleus to join the battle by apologizing for his actions, but not taking all of the blame. He claims that Delusion caused him to get angry with Achilleus when he was told to return the girl Chryseis, and forced him to take Achilleus beloved Briseis. Whether or not Delusion drove Agamemnon to argue with Achilleus, his excuse illustrates that it is perfectly normal for a non-human being to cause human action. Elsewhere in the novel, Rumour causes men to talk, and Hatred, Battle Strength, and "heart-freezing Onslaught" cause men to fight. How deep do these forces penetrate into a man's consciousness? Do they cause him to think differently? Does he only recognize their interference once they are gone? Homer does not directly answer these questions, but they can be better understood by examining the nature of the forces."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Homer. The Iliad of Homer, trans.Richard Lattimore. University of Chicago Press, (Chicago) 1951.
• Jaeger, Werner. Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press, (New York) 1945.

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