Decision making in ‘The Iliad’ by Homer is provided by mostly by Gods, as they were the most powerful creatures, who could construct peoples’ lives and change their destinies according to their fads.
Life is created in such a way, that people should always make decisions. The decision making process has penetrated in people’s life so much that it is we do not always get that we are making decisions. The process of decision making may be perfectly followed in the works of literature, when a thorough analysis of the text takes place. Decision making in ‘The Iliad’ by Homer is provided by mostly by Gods, as they were the most powerful creatures, who could construct peoples’ lives and change their destinies according to their fads.
Starting the discussion with the significance of Gods in the ancient Greece, it may de stated that their power was incredible, and they could act as they wants, intrude in people’s life and provide the correctives to their destinies. People were like the marionettes in Gods hands, who could spin them and play according to their satisfaction.
Divinely born son of Laertes,
resourceful Odysseus – try lifting me,
or I will try lifting you. And we will let Zeus
decide the outcome (Homer 518).
The quote is rather capacious and informative, which tells that Gods’ power was huge and people submitted to that power without any oppositions. People knew that they could not confront Gods and did nothing in order to make their life free of Gods and their anger was devastating and could lead to unpredictable and terrifying effects. So they lived, submitted to Gods’ power and their desires, without any attempts to provide their decisions and relying to Gods’ decisions.
People still could provide some decisions, if they can be named so, as these decisions were based on the Gods one, and did not have any direct influence on the situation development, as all had to be so. They were all constructed according to Gods’ will and were consequential, without any importance. People most had the right whether to follow gods’ instruction and advices or not, but they mostly relied on them and did according to their will. Patroclus decides to change his appearance and to fight, without thinking about the consequences. This decision lead to his death, as Hector, thinking that it was Achilles, kills him, vaunting, that he is the best warrior, as he could kill Achilles, without knowing that he was mistaken. Patroclus himself decided to go to fights and died (Homer 368).
Agamemnon also had to make decision himself, and this decision was to sacrifice his daughter in the benefit of the city. Providing this decision, Agamemnon showed himself as the politician, who cared about people more, than about his personal life and parental feelings. Achilles having decided to left the fight and never return to the battle field changes his mind, when had heard about his companion death, starting his argument
Then let me die, since I could not prevent
the death of my companion. He has fallen
far from his homeland. He needed me there (Homer 399).
Providing the decision to return to the battle field, he was killed, and this was his personal decision. The same was his decision when he had the option to live a long life and die in the old age, but he chooses fights and dies. Hector’s decision, when he decides to save others and goes to fight with Achilles, is the right one, as he is a real hero, who sacrifice his life for the benefit of others. He had to fight and this obligation was created by his firm decision (Homer 475)
Supporting the idea that Gods still decide everything, the fact that the decision to destroy Troy came from Gods and this were they, who directed people in this action, they tried to do everything to make Troy disappear from the Earth. The main decision, made by Zeus, is that all Gods are forbidden to help both Greeks, and Trojans, which creates the quarrel on the Olympus. The battle continues without Gods’ interference, but there are a lot of ways to overcome the decision, and when Zeus sleeps, Hera make up the decision to help Greeks. Then Apollo interferes with his help to Trojans, causing plague through Greeks. The death of Hector was possible only by Athena’s help, who concluded that she had such power.
In conclusion, all the decisions, made by people in “The Iliad” were promoted by God’s actions. Gods have created the sort of a game and tried to help their loves, without considering that there were people, who loved, wanted to live and tried to make all possible to save their nation in the fight, which did not have any aim, if to think deeper, just Gods wanted to decide which power is greater, and whose hero will win the battle. The decisions, even those which had consequential nature, from both people’s and Gods’ sides, led to people’s death, while Gods had fun on the havens. Providing some actions, Gods did not understand that they decided not only the question, but people’s life, what was promoted by the fact that they were powerful and possessed people’s character features, such as envy and malignance.
Works Cited
Homer. The Iliad. Tr. by Ian Johnston. Arlington: Richer Resources Publications, 2006.
Greek Concept Of The “Therapon” In The “Iliad” By Homer
Introduction
The Greek concept of “Therapon”, as one of the central in the Ancient Greek culture, plays an important historical and cultural role in the “Iliad” by Homer. On the whole, the Ancient Greece contributed greatly to the development of the world culture of today, and the above mentioned concept is one of the brightest examples of this contribution. Viewed in several possible senses, “therapon” was considered to be the vitally important concept to any kinds of the military conflicts. The use of such a concept in the “Iliad” by Homer proves once again that this work belongs to the masterpieces of the world literature and describes skillfully the culture of the Ancient Greece. Accordingly, this paper will consider the concept of “therapon” in its crucial importance for the plot development of the “Iliad”, for the intended audience of Homer, and for the further development of the Greek and world culture on the whole.
Main body
Thus, the most impressive scene in the poem by Homer is the scene of the death of Patroklos. This brave warrior was considered to be the right hand of the Greek hero Achilles, and all his deeds were compared in their courage to the ones by Achilles. After his death, Patroklos became what was referred to as “therapon” of Achilles – he died for his master and thus became the religious substitute and the attendant of Ares at the same time:
There times he charged with the headlong speed of Ares,
Screaming his savage cry, three times he killed nine men,
Then at the fourth assault, Patroklos, like something superhuman –
… the end of life came blazing up before you,
yes, the lord Apollo met you there in the heart of battle,
the god, the terror!… shrouded in a thick mist
and on he came against him and looming up behind him now-
slammed his broad shoulders and back with the god’s flat hand
and his eyes spun as Apollo knocked the helmet off his head… (Homer, 785 – 793)
Drawing from these lines, one can attempt to identify the exact meaning of the concept of “therapon” as understood by the Ancient Greeks. “Therapon” was viewed as the person fulfilling several functions at the same time. He was a servant in the simplest sense of this word while living his earthly life and helping his master. However, after his death, “therapon” became firstly the religious substitute for his master, and secondly the attendant of Ares, the Ancient Greek god of war (Homer, 1997). Accordingly, the meaning of the concept of “therapon” changed with the status of the person considered to be one. This concept was also considered to be one of the noblest manifestations of human dedication, courage in the battlefield and loyalty to the basic values of the society. The “Iliad” by Homer exemplifies the concept of “therapon” considering the brave life and death of Patroklos, one of its main heroes. But to understand the essence of this concept better, it is necessary to recall the details of the “Iliad” as such.
The epic poem by Homer is the story about the 20-year long Trojan War that started because of the kidnapping of the Princess Helena. The war lasted with no obvious advantage for any of the conflicting parties, and Trojans resorted to the help of Gods in their struggle with Achaeans. Exactly this episode, i. e. the fight of Patroklos with Apollo, is described by Homer as one of the fiercest battles in history. And namely in this battle, Patroklos proved his right to be called “therapon” as far as he died for the sake of another hero – Achilles (Homer, 1997). However, it is necessary to clear out why Patroklos had to victimize his life for Achilles. To see this, let us consider their relations.
First of all, Achilles was a half-god creature, and his origin allowed him to have servants and attendants, especially in the battlefield. Patroklos was one of the attendants to Achilles, and the latter considered him to be the most devoted person among his entourage. Accordingly, to save the life of his master, Patroklos resorted to the brave deed – he put on the armor of Achilles and entered the battle with Apollo. Having died in that battle for the sake of his master’s safety, Patroklos demonstrated once again all the nobility of the concept of “therapon”.
Drawing from all the above said, it is obvious that the death of Patroklos in the Trojan War differed substantially from other deaths of soldiers and generals of both sides of the conflict. Patroklos died for the person he was devoted to, and by this he fulfilled his destination as a “therapon”. On the whole, the concept of “therapon” can be generally characterized as the readiness to die for another person. So, this noble nature of the death of Patroklos was what distinguished it from all other deaths in the Trojan War (Homer, 1997).
Moreover, this death, and especially its high goal, was rather important for the society contemporary to Homer. On the whole, the Greek society of the 9th – 8th centuries B. C. was a rather conservative phenomenon praising the beauty and the strength of the human body, and the courage and bravery of the people’s deeds. The glorious death was appreciated much more than a scornful life. Because of this fact, all men in that society developed their physical power and military skills in order to reach success as warriors and be respected in their society. It was this nature of the Ancient Greek society of Homer that provided for the formation and further development of the concept of “therapon” (Homer, 1997).
Accordingly, the “Iliad” by Homer reflects the reality of the epoch and celebrates the glorious death of an attendant for the sake of his master. Becoming “therapon” meant much more than simply dying and having posthumous respect of the society. It meant obtaining the glorious life after death. The person who died for the sake of another one was supposed to become the attendant of Ares. The society, which was considerably possessed by such believes, praised the concept of “therapon” and attempted to conform to it in daily life and in the battlefield.
Conclusion
Drawing from this, the “Iliad” by Homer is more than the masterpiece of literature. It serves as a practical guide for the audience to achieve the biggest possible success in their lives. Accordingly, the concept of “therapon” as the idea of unlimited courage for the sake of others is rather important in the “Iliad”, as well as in the Ancient Greek culture on the whole.
Works Cited
Homer. The Iliad. (trans. by Robert Fagles). THE FOLIO SOCIETY, 1997.
Essay Voice-over
Frederick Douglass’s And Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiographies
Introduction
The overall situation in America from a political, educational, and religious was distinguishable. Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass were iconic American figures able to accomplish their life goals and express their life road through their biographies. Through the reading of the book, the similarities between the two have been noticed. This article will point out the religion and importance of education. Despite the generally held conservative ideals of many, Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass expressed religious beliefs in their books that were revolutionary for their time periods. Franklin was a Deist, who believed that God does not intervene with the affairs of human life and the natural laws of the universe. While Douglass was a Christian, he disagreed with the traditional notion of Christianity at that time. By going against the grain, both men risked becoming public enemies. In parallel, the experiences that changed both Franklin and Douglas had to do with the importance of education in enabling people to better themselves.
Main body
Both stated in their literature reasonable reasons that justified their s beliefs. Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglas were socially and politically ground-breaking yet still reached popularity and success due to their education and careful handling of religion.
Benjamin from his childhood closely looked narrowly at everything that was surrounding him, trying to understand the essence of any unclear phenomena. To read and write Benjamin has learned independently at the age of five, observing as the senior brothers and sisters prepare for lessons. Benjamin was defined in a school where he was taught writing and arithmetic.
Franklin wrote in his autobiography that he did not remember a time when he was not able to read. For all his life the love of reading has remained the strongest passion of Franklin and the most important source of exploring the world and expanding his knowledge. Greater knowledge of the most various aspects of the sciences acquired by Franklin was a result of self-education and first of all readings. Franklin was a genius self-educated person. Everything, that he knew, was self-education, and he studied all his life.
It can be seen that the success of Benjamin Franklin was not based on the formal idea to bring the kids to school but from a personal thirst to acquire knowledge and self-education as a system was part of the self-made concept in which he stresses the importance of education for self-improvement. Indeed, it was because of the fact that he had such great access to books through his induction into the printer’s trade that he was able to foster his love of books and learning and to begin to develop the persuasive rhetorical skills that would aid him not only in writing but also in oratory.
Without this love of books and learning being instilled in him, Franklin could have never become the great thinker, speaker, author, and statesmen that he was to become
Frederick’s way to education was more difficult, his first steps in learning as a child to read were in converting his white friends to the teacher. Switching places and periods he succeeded in learning to read, a practice he followed whenever he got the chance.
In reading, he acquired the source for information which inspired him to change his world exploration. He mentions a book called “The Columbian orator” which he admits that he used to read, and there was a master-slave dialogue in the book which he found interesting. It can be noticed that this book and this dialogue, in particular, started a wave of revolt which led him to attempts to change the reality.
We see that both changes in the lives of both men who are coming from low origins, who, against all odds, break out of their inherited social position, come out of education as a first step, they both struggled in a way or another obtaining this knowledge which helped them climb their social ladder and create new identities for themselves.
As for the religious matter, Franklin was raised as a Presbyterian and was well educated in Christianity. He had problems, however, with the parts of Christianity that he disagreed with and/or did not understand, such as reprobation. To solve these matters Franklin constructed his own set of religious beliefs and became a Deist. Franklin’s ability and confidence to create his own points of view not connected to the Christian church shows his confidence and the creative way of thinking he had. In Addition, it also shows his political creativity. Portion II of the autobiography, the part that discusses religion, was written for a very public audience. Being sure that most of the people will judge him according to his book, Franklin needed to convey that his religion that did not oppose his scientific discoveries. At the same time, he did not want to scare religious readers.
According to his Deist beliefs, Franklin contends that the “most acceptable Service of God was the doing Good to Man” (80). In saying this, Franklin emphasizes a belief in God but shows that working to progress humanity was more important than the simple submission to God.
The Christian masses could not oppose such values, and as a result, oppose Franklin. Thus, he was able to make scientific and social progress while remaining widely popular.
Similar to Franklin, Frederick Douglass held progressive religious views that had the potential to Christianity. Instead of showing kindness towards their slaves, Christian slaveholders were more brutal masters. The presentation Douglass shows the real Christianity is not what Christianity stood for at this time. After listing the positive attributes of the real Christianity that Douglass supports, such as kindness towards all, it would be nearly impossible for the average reader to condemn his religious beliefs. Douglass, like Franklin, presented his religious views in a way that would promote his goals while making it difficult for readers to oppose his beliefs.
Conclusion
Both Franklin and Douglass masterfully did not alienate themselves from the Christian masses despite holding radical religious viewpoints for their respective time periods. The two American heroes stood by religious viewpoints that coincided with their social and political goals. Both believed that the foundation of religion was a kindness to humanity, and that love for thy neighbor superseded religious details and semantics. In this way, both men remained connected to a core belief in Christianity while still leaving the door open to social progress. Both of them promoted education as the key to success in life. Both of the men found that the books were their first teachers and educators. And at last, we can say that Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglas are self-made men who left a great trace in American history and their biographies are a great tool for inspiration to success.
Works cited
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Chapel Hill, NC: 1999.
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography and Other Writings. New York: Penguin Classics, 2003.