Abstract This paper analyzes the heroic code of honor in Homer's "The Iliad" by examining the social roles of Hector and Achilles within the construct of familial and military culture. The paper defines the social role of Hector as a hero and as an ethical defender of his family through civic responsibility. The paper looks at the social role of gift giving as a part in the heroic code, because honor becomes the central catalyst for the heroic portrayals provided by Homer in "The Iliad". The paper then points out that Achilles also abides by strong ethic towards honor, which invariably creates a socialimpact on his actions after Patroklos is killed. In conclusion, the paper shows that the impact of these social norms drive Achilles and Hector toward the extreme violence of war, which ultimately ends in their deaths.
From the Paper "The encounter between Hector and Andromache during the battle reflects a Homeric process, which allows for a union between family that is compassionate and not driven necessarily by a cold and calculating necessity for war on the part of the soldier. In this manner, Homer is projecting a socially responsible man in Hector that respects social traditions military and within the family unit. Andromache is a wife that shows concern, and only wishes for her husband to stay with her and not die in battle with the Aecheans. In this manner, Hector is not only questing to find solace in his wife's love for him, but actually seeks to be consoled before entering into the main thicket of war outside the Trojan City."
Tags: war, soldier, greek, battle, Achilles, death, Trojan
Abstract The paper discusses the concept of honor in Homer's "The Iliad" and Virgil's "The Aeneid."
From the Paper ""The Iliad" and "The Aeneid" are undoubtedly two of the greatest epics ever written. They form part of the foundation from which the entire western classical tradition was erected and are considered to be among the world's canonical masterpieces. Both epics are focused on the exploits of a man who is half-god and half-mortal, in "The Iliad" the Greek hero Achilles is the focal point of the narrative; in "The Aeneid" the Roman hero Aeneas is the principal actor."
Abstract This paper looks at Homer's epic poem," Iliad" and Simone Weil's essay on "The Iliad, or a Poem of Might." It discusses how Weil's 20th Century commentary on the epic demonstrates a way of validating the relevance of Homer's text to contemporary sensibilities and experience.
From the Paper "This research provides a comparison and contrast of Homer's epic poem The Iliad and Simone Weil's essay The Iliad or a Poem of Might. The research will set forth the cultural context for the pattern of ideas in the work of origin and then discuss ways in..."
Abstract This paper examines how the presence of others affects our performance and behaviour. The author argues that the presence of others effects simple/practiced tasks and complex ones differently. Included is an anlysis of group consensus and conformity, socialimpact theory, and a look at possible outcomes such as: diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance.
From the paper:
"Our behaviour is influenced in many ways by the actions, views and mere presence of those around us. Many studies in Social Psychology have been carried out on how this influence effects us and how much. It seems that the presence of an audience is beneficial only when the task at hand is simple or well practised. If not, the audience causes performance to get worse. When acting as part of a group, individuals tend to conform to a common group consensus. This is especially the case when such a consensus in unanimous. However, minorities do have the ability to change group norms or perceptions. Individuals are less likely to help those who maybe in trouble when there are other potential helpers around. This is mainly due to pluralistic ignorance and diffusion of responsibility. Socialimpact theory states that the level of influence on an individual depends on the number, status and proximity of the observers as well as on whether he is acting alone or with others."
Abstract This paper discusses how information technology has changed society and influenced attitudes towards the importance of the IT industry. The writer points out that discussions surrounding the internet, socialimpacts, and attributes and consequences prove to be useful when attempting to critically assess the impact of computer technology. Further, various social IT environments are examined in this article, including virtual communities, online chat rooms, and online dating.
From the Paper "In the 21st century, computer technology plays an integral role in the every day lives of people around the world and is continuing to shape culture and society. As information technology advances and computers become more accessible and attainable by the public, the Internet is increasingly playing a role by revolutionizing the way society communicates. Computer technology is being used for everything from computer games to online chat rooms to sending and receiving emails now more than ever."
Abstract This paper looks at the prevalence of Internet use and examines aspects such as the impact it has on our communication, employment, shopping habits, leisure and use of information. It discusses equality of access and the possibility that the Internet could become part of high culture as well as the positive and negative possibilities of electronic communication, including its potential use in terrorism, decentralisation of society and destruction of communities. The paper concludes that while there are arguments that suggest that the Internet is responsible for isolating people and weakening social controls and community bonds, it could also be argued that the Internet is a form of glue within modern societies, providing yet another means of communication to further strengthen the bonds within communities and families.
From the Paper "The internet was originally developed by the US military as a form of transmitting messages and information between officers in different locations, and was then developed further by universities, with the aim of encouraging more academic debate between scholars across the world. With the advent of the personal computer and the boom in personal ownership, the internet became accessible to millions of households during the 1990s and its growth and popularity has continued, with the advance of high-speed and digital connections becoming more readily available. "
Abstract This paper discusses the Industrial Revolution as it took place in Great Britain. In particular, the paper looks at the impact the Industrial Revolution had on a number of social aspects including fertility rates, familial relationships, social legislation, traditional occupations supplanted by the rise of mechanization, public health, and urban housing.
From the Paper "The social aspects of the Industrial Revolution are many. In the interests of brevity, the following paper will focus specifically upon the Industrial Revolution as it took place in Great Britain. In particular, the paper will look at the impact of the Industrial Revolution upon fertility rates, familial relationships, social legislation (especially as it pertained to the urban poor), traditional occupations supplanted by the rise of mechanization, public health, children forced to fend for themselves in a sometimes hostile, industrial environment, and urban housing. With this in mind, it is to a discussion of these issues that this paper now turns."
Abstract The three authors discussed in this paper all present different visions of problems and issues confronting humanity in the high technology era. However, while Franklin tends to discuss the socio-economic implications of technology from a more generalized perspective - given her larger text with its wider thematic focus - both Drucker and Postman represent the high technology era in stark terms of "winners and losers".
Abstract This paper employs social conflict theory and Biblical principles to explain the negative socialimpacts of the social stratification system in relationship to poverty.
From the Paper "Social status is a powerful determiner of whether a person will be poor or rich. Theoretically, a person with greater intelligence higher aptitude and the diligence to study intensively and work hard should be able to earn a ..."
Tags: stratification, poverty, social conflict theory, Marx, social inequality
Abstract This paper discusses how the poet Homer was not only able to create literary works of art but could also provide a deeper understanding of Greek society. The author cites numerous examples from the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" that represent Greek nature, such as the importance of honor, martial bravery, heroism and leadership hierarchy.
From the Paper "The "Iliad" allows us to see how important the concept of honor was to the Greeks, how important it was for them to think not only and not even primarily of their own self interest but to think of the needs of their larger communities when acting. This concept of honor was perhaps especially important in matters of personal physical bravery when ultimate sacrifices might be called for. We may in fact find such a concept of honor, such a desire to be able always to think of the needs of others and not only of oneself as admirable, and indeed it is. However, for the Greeks such a sentiment, which does indeed seem admirable to us, was paired with a sentiment that does not seem admirable at all ? the idea that a person's social standing determined his or her moral worth."
Abstract This paper discusses the rich development of characters in Homer's Iliad, specifically examining the heroic character Hector to demonstrate Homer's success as a literary portrait painter. The author looks at Homer's techniques that brought the Trojan hero to life: simile, viewing Hector through enemy eyes, and describing his human nature, insecurity, honor, and his violent end.
From the Paper "Reading the Iliad leads us to ask many probing questions about humanity because the characters are embroiled in many issues that are of relevance even today. Hector, for instance, raises the question of the futility of war - how do you justify an event that kills so indiscriminately without respect for love, honor or responsibility? Questions such as these are asked only when the reader feels an involvement in the story; in the Iliad Homer makes that possible by breathing life into his characters, and we cannot help but share in a sense of loss when Hector dies as a victim of cruel circumstance."
Abstract This paper discusses male honor codes in ancient Greek society, focusing on seven areas-- prowess in battle, to be able to speak eloquently and convincingly, to honor duty to family and townspeople, to be kind to supplicants, to honor the gods, to be loyal to friends and fellow soldiers and to be recognized as an honorable warrior both through material and non-material acknowledgment.
From the Paper "The code of honor that the warriors of the Illiad lived by was complex and oftentimes contradictory. The rules of male honor in the Greek society portrayed in the poem required a man to have prowess in battle, to be able to speak eloquently and convincingly, to honor his duty to his family and townspeople, to be kind to supplicants, to honor the gods, to be loyal to friends and fellow soldiers and to be recognized as an honorable warrior both through material and non-material acknowledgment. These seven characteristics are not an exhaustive list of the qualities expected from a Greek man, but I believe them to be the most significant in relation to the Illiad. I will outline the Greek warrior code using examples from the Illiad and I will then discuss Achilleus? responses to the expectations that the honor code placed upon him. The code of honor in the Illiad is by no means simple and I will explore its complexity and the possible critique that the poem has of this honor code."
Abstract This paper argues that the concepts of ethics and moral law of modern western democratic society are based largely on those proposed by Immanuel Kant in his essay "Fundamental Principles of the Meta-physic of Morals." The author looks at these concepts and tries to draw a comparison between their application in the twenty-first century, as well as in Homeric society.
From the Paper "The importance of religion in Homeric society and the submission to fate by men are integral to understanding why the Homeric Greeks did not hold themselves accountable for any form of moral responsibility. A devastating attack on the Greek lines by the Trojans leads the god Poseidon, who has Greek sympathies, to threaten that any man who willingly ceases from fighting will not return home and shall become food for the dogs of Troy (Homer 13.234). It follows that this threat excludes those who do not fight as a result of forces beyond their control, or against their will. This suggests that there was amongst the Greeks a belief in divine intervention, a suggestion illustrated by Agamemnon when he realises that the Achaeans shall fall before the Trojans without the presence of Achilles."
Tags: achilles, arete, homer, honor, honour, iliad, kant, odyssey, time, moral, law, belief, society
Abstract This paper compares the heroic traits and flaws of Moses and Achilles of "The Iliad". The author discusses the patterns of a heroic figure, how he possesses an immense sense of honor, and powers superior to those of ordinary men and displays them courageously, at the risk of his own life but to the advantage of others. The paper also examines the hero's suffering and death.
From the Paper "The hero was believed to perform his extraordinary deeds because one of his parents had been a god or goddess, or he had been infused in infancy with a special or divine grace. Achilles was practically invulnerable as a fighter. His mother, Thetis, a goddess, dipped him in the Styx River , making him immortal everywhere except the heel. Heroes may be abandoned at birth. When Moses was born, he was hidden for three months and then cast onto a river, where Pharaoh's daughter found him. God arranged for Moses to be raised and educated as a son of Pharaoh's daughter. Legends say that Moses could speak as soon as he was born. It is also said that he attained full stature within a few days. The hero's physical development is often portrayed as being extraordinary."
Abstract In this article, the writer compares and contrasts the works 'Iliad' by Homer and 'Works and Days' by Hesiod. This consideration of the works shows that they are different. The writer notes that the differences are based on the 'Iliad' being written based on the ideologies of the higher classes of Athens, while 'Works and Days' was written based on the reality for the lower classes. The writer concludes that the works share several common characteristics, with these linked to the fact that the books were written around the same time and as part of the same culture. However, there are also significant differences in the works. The writer maintains that this is due to the fact that the two books represent the two very different social classes at the time.
From the Paper "Before considering the difference in the works, it is useful to first consider what qualities they share. The main similarities in the works are the obvious ones. This is that both are written by Greeks and so both reflect Ancient Greece culture. The second is that both were written around the same time, close to 700 BC. These two factors lead to the works sharing several aspects, even though they are about vastly different subjects. These similarities are to be expected and are based on the shared culture reflected in both works. One of the first features noted in the works is that they are both written in the style of epic poetry. Epic poetry was a style of literature that developed in Ancient Greece. The development of epic poetry was also closely linked to the Greek oral tradition. In fact, the Iliad is considered to have been written by Homer centuries after the Trojan War that is the subject of the work. In addition, Homer is thought to have created the work based on oral myths that had been passed down from generation to generation after the end of the Trojan War."
