In Homer's epic poem, the
Iliad, the actions of mortals are heavily influenced by the immortals, the gods
and goddesses who intervene in the Trojan War. The immortals are portrayed as
powerful beings with the ability to control the fate of mortals, often taking
sides in the conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans. In this essay, we
will discuss how the action in the Iliad is influenced by the immortals and the
consequences of their actions.
Divine Intervention
The immortals in the Iliad
intervene in the war in a variety of ways. They can inspire or discourage
warriors, give them strength or take it away, and even physically intervene in
the battle. For example, Athena inspires Diomedes to kill the Trojan warrior,
Pandarus, by guiding his spear to hit Pandarus' vulnerable spot. Apollo, on the
other hand, causes Hector to retreat by wrapping him in a cloud and then
releasing him outside the walls of Troy, where he can regroup.
Moral Support
The immortals also provide
moral support to the warriors on their side. For example, Athena encourages the
Greeks and inspires them to fight harder, while Ares, the god of war, supports
the Trojans and inspires them to fight harder as well. This moral support often
results in warriors feeling invincible and more confident in their abilities, leading
them to perform feats of strength they might not have attempted otherwise.
Manipulation
The immortals are also
capable of manipulating the mortals to achieve their own ends. For example,
Apollo causes Achilles to withdraw from battle by leading him away from the
fighting and then taunting him. Apollo's motivation for this action is to
protect his favored Trojan, Hector, from being killed by Achilles. Similarly,
Zeus manipulates events to ensure that the war will continue until it achieves
his desired outcome.
Consequences
The actions of the
immortals have consequences for the mortals in the Iliad. The mortals are often
caught in the middle of the gods' power struggles, and their actions are
heavily influenced by the whims of the immortals. This leads to some
characters, such as Hector and Achilles, being elevated to hero status due to
their ability to win the favor of the gods. Conversely, other characters, such
as Agamemnon, are punished by the gods for their arrogance and poor
decision-making.
The intervention of the
immortals also has a significant impact on the outcome of the war. The gods are
portrayed as having the ability to change the course of the war at will. For
example, Athena convinces Achilles to return to battle, which leads to the eventual
defeat of the Trojans. Conversely, the gods' intervention can also result in
stalemate, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage.
In conclusion, the actions
of the immortals have a significant impact on the events of the Trojan War in
Homer's Iliad. They can intervene in the war in a variety of ways, providing
moral support to the warriors on their side, manipulating events to achieve
their own ends, and even physically intervening in the battle. Their actions
have consequences for the mortals, elevating some characters to hero status and
punishing others for their poor decision-making. The intervention of the
immortals also has a significant impact on the outcome of the war, with their
ability to change the course of the war at will.