The Iliad is a story filled with violence because of the fighting between the Trojans and the Greeks. The conflict roots to the event when Paris took Helen away from Menelaus. Because of this event, the Greeks waged war against the Trojans. They sailed from Greece to Troy to get back what was rightfully theirs and to have the city of Troy for themselves. The story started with people shouting at each other and fighting one another and ended with innumerable deaths. This is indeed one of the bloodiest stories ever written but also one of the most filled with emotions.
There was this instance in the story when Menelaus challenged Paris to a single battle. Whoever wins will keep Helen for him and the war will be over. They started engaging each other in battle, blow by blow, they fought relentlessly. But Menelaus had the upper hand, he was stronger and faster that Paris. Paris struggled to fight Menelaus. When Menelaus was about to finish Paris, Aphrodite interfered and saved Paris from death. Because of this, the war continued to ensue between the Achaeans and the Trojans. If I were given the chance to rewrite a part of the Iliad, it would be this part. And it goes like this.
Menelaus challenged Paris to a duel, whoever wins will have Helen and that’s it for the war. If Paris decides to fight, the war will be over with only one casualty. At first, Paris was reluctant to fight Menelaus for he knew that Menelaus was far superior to him. He tried not to show his cowardice to his brother, Hector, because he knew Hector was a great warrior and he could not accept that his brother is afraid of an Achaean. Instead, he goes and asks the help of the God, Aphrodite. Aphrodite agreed to help Paris in battle but Athena knew of this agreement between Paris and Aphrodite. Paris also asked Hephaestus to make an armor for him, an armor so light that he would be able to outmaneuver him because he believes that he has an advantage in terms of speed.
The next day, Paris set out to fight Menelaus. Everyone was watching, from the King to the slave. They were all ready for whatever might happen. Helen told Paris that she loves her and she does not regret coming with Paris. Menelaus taunted Paris but Paris did not flinch, he did not show any sign that he is scared of Menelaus, that he was scared of losing Helen. They fought relentlessly, blow by blow, they hit each other. Menelaus tried to finish him by thrusting his spear but Paris blocked it with his shield and threw a spear thrust of his own. It hit Menelaus’ leg, because of this, Paris grew confident. He played with Menelaus because he was limping around the battlefield. When Paris was about to finish Menelaus off, Menelaus pounced on Paris and stabbed him 19 times in the chest. Paris was severely injured, and asked for the help of Aphrodite. Aphrodite put a cloud over Paris but they didn’t know that Menelaus was also helped by Athena, he was able to see Aphrodite and Paris despite of the cloud. He rushed over to Paris and Aphrodite and beat the hell out of them two. Paris died, Aphrodite was injured. Helen was returned to Menelaus and the war was over. No more Iliad. The end.
Patroclos, a Man Worthy of Glory and Respect
Patroclos is an officer of the Myrmidons which is Achilles’ army. He is also Achilles’ great friend and adviser. When the Trojans had the advantage in the battle over the Greeks, the Achaeans grew desperate in having Achilles back in their side for Achilles once withdrew his support from the army because of certain reasons. It came to the point that even Agamemnon was willing to give up his possessions just to have Achilles join the Achaean army once again. But Achilles constantly refused these offers of reconciliation and was firm on his decision that he will not return to the army no matter what happens.
There were moments in the war where the Greeks was definitely outnumbered and outperformed by the rallying Trojans headed by their Prince Hector who is a great warrior, capable of cutting down foes one after another. When this happens, the Achaeans lose their stability in battle then routs back to their camps. When the Greeks retreat, the Trojans run after them. This caused the great loss of morale of the Greek Army. The officers knew that there was only one solution to solve the problem of the loss of morale of the army; the solution is to bring back Achilles to the front lines to lead the Greeks in to glory. But the problem is Achilles does not want to go back in any circumstance. He believes that fighting in the war is just a mere waste of time for him and for his Myrmidon army. Patroclos was the one assigned to talk to Achilles about the said matter since he is a great friend of Achilles’. He tried his best in convincing Achilles to return but he failed. But he had one thing in mind, and that is to use Achilles’ armor for the army to think that Achilles is back in the battle. Achilles approved of this proposal by Patroclos and let Patroclos use his own armor in battle.
The Greek army rallied on when they saw Achilles’ figure running through the battlefield. Their spirits were lifted in the mere sight of Achilles, but what they didn’t know was that this figure is not really Achilles, it’s Patroclos himself disguised as his great friend. They fought the Trojans valiantly; they did not surrender for their spirits were renewed. They reached the walls of Troy, when suddenly Apollo, disguised as a Trojan soldier, wounded Patroclos. More soldiers rushed to finish him, and when they did, the men scrambled for the armor of Achilles then they found out that this was not really Achilles, but this man is Patroclos, disguised as Achilles. The Trojans were shocked to this sight, they believed that they were fighting Achilles but they were wrong all along. The Greeks were shocked as well, they thought that their great leader returned but they were fooled.
Patroclos was a man of great sacrifice and principle. He decided to wear Achilles’ armor because he knew that this certain act of his would turn the tides of the battle back to their favor. He knew that this will cost his life, but he readily gave this up. He gave the greatest sacrifice ever, which is one’s life for the sake of a more noble cause. He was a great warrior, to be able to lead his comrades in battle, and to be able to convince the soldiers that he really is Achilles. He is a man worthy of glory and respect.
There were moments in the war where the Greeks was definitely outnumbered and outperformed by the rallying Trojans headed by their Prince Hector who is a great warrior, capable of cutting down foes one after another. When this happens, the Achaeans lose their stability in battle then routs back to their camps. When the Greeks retreat, the Trojans run after them. This caused the great loss of morale of the Greek Army. The officers knew that there was only one solution to solve the problem of the loss of morale of the army; the solution is to bring back Achilles to the front lines to lead the Greeks in to glory. But the problem is Achilles does not want to go back in any circumstance. He believes that fighting in the war is just a mere waste of time for him and for his Myrmidon army. Patroclos was the one assigned to talk to Achilles about the said matter since he is a great friend of Achilles’. He tried his best in convincing Achilles to return but he failed. But he had one thing in mind, and that is to use Achilles’ armor for the army to think that Achilles is back in the battle. Achilles approved of this proposal by Patroclos and let Patroclos use his own armor in battle.
The Greek army rallied on when they saw Achilles’ figure running through the battlefield. Their spirits were lifted in the mere sight of Achilles, but what they didn’t know was that this figure is not really Achilles, it’s Patroclos himself disguised as his great friend. They fought the Trojans valiantly; they did not surrender for their spirits were renewed. They reached the walls of Troy, when suddenly Apollo, disguised as a Trojan soldier, wounded Patroclos. More soldiers rushed to finish him, and when they did, the men scrambled for the armor of Achilles then they found out that this was not really Achilles, but this man is Patroclos, disguised as Achilles. The Trojans were shocked to this sight, they believed that they were fighting Achilles but they were wrong all along. The Greeks were shocked as well, they thought that their great leader returned but they were fooled.
Patroclos was a man of great sacrifice and principle. He decided to wear Achilles’ armor because he knew that this certain act of his would turn the tides of the battle back to their favor. He knew that this will cost his life, but he readily gave this up. He gave the greatest sacrifice ever, which is one’s life for the sake of a more noble cause. He was a great warrior, to be able to lead his comrades in battle, and to be able to convince the soldiers that he really is Achilles. He is a man worthy of glory and respect.
Hector Vs. Ajax
In the seventh book of the Iliad, the Gods of Olympus planned a battle between Hector and any champion of the Greek army therefore that there may be a ceasefire between the Greeks and the Trojans. Helenus, one of Hector’s brothers knew about this and he immediately told Hector the will of the Gods. Hector went on to challenge the Achaeans to bring out their greatest warrior to go against him in a single battle.
The Greeks chose Ajax the Great to battle Hector by means of drawing lots. Hector announced that the battle is a duel until one of them dies and the victor will keep the armor of his slain adversary for himself. The battle was one of the most exciting moments so far in the book. But several versions have been made over the years that depicted the battle and failed in portraying what really happened in the battle of Hector and Ajax. One example is that of the movie, Troy, which starred several international celebrities and it really was a hit. But it failed on a lot of different aspects, particularly in the battle between Ajax and Hector.
The movie’s version of the fight scene was very different from what really happened. First of all, it was the Gods who planned the battle unlike in the movie where they just stumbled upon one another then they started fighting each other. In the book, there was a formal settlement between the two parties about the said duel while there was none in the movie. Ajax and Hector did not just bump against one another in the heat of battle, there was a process in picking who will be up against Hector which was casting lots and whoever wins will be fighting Hector to the death. The battle was evenly matched; they were on the same level in terms of fighting skills. Even though Ajax has the advantage in size, Hector made up for this with his agility and presence of mind in the fight. Because of this, no one emerged victorious from the duel. The biggest flaw in the movie representation of the fight is seen with the result of the fight. In the movie, Ajax died because he was hit by Hector but Ajax never really died because of fight. This mistake caused a lot of controversy concerning the accuracy of the story being presented in the movie.
If I were Homer, I would not accept this version of my story. They clearly changed everything that happened in the fight between Hector and Ajax. Without Ajax, the Iliad would be a different story because he plays an important role in the latter stages of the story. This representation is clearly different from that of the original. It would be an insult to me if they tried to change what really happened in the story then they would make money out of it. It would be better if they followed the story exactly and not change the content.
The Greeks chose Ajax the Great to battle Hector by means of drawing lots. Hector announced that the battle is a duel until one of them dies and the victor will keep the armor of his slain adversary for himself. The battle was one of the most exciting moments so far in the book. But several versions have been made over the years that depicted the battle and failed in portraying what really happened in the battle of Hector and Ajax. One example is that of the movie, Troy, which starred several international celebrities and it really was a hit. But it failed on a lot of different aspects, particularly in the battle between Ajax and Hector.
The movie’s version of the fight scene was very different from what really happened. First of all, it was the Gods who planned the battle unlike in the movie where they just stumbled upon one another then they started fighting each other. In the book, there was a formal settlement between the two parties about the said duel while there was none in the movie. Ajax and Hector did not just bump against one another in the heat of battle, there was a process in picking who will be up against Hector which was casting lots and whoever wins will be fighting Hector to the death. The battle was evenly matched; they were on the same level in terms of fighting skills. Even though Ajax has the advantage in size, Hector made up for this with his agility and presence of mind in the fight. Because of this, no one emerged victorious from the duel. The biggest flaw in the movie representation of the fight is seen with the result of the fight. In the movie, Ajax died because he was hit by Hector but Ajax never really died because of fight. This mistake caused a lot of controversy concerning the accuracy of the story being presented in the movie.
If I were Homer, I would not accept this version of my story. They clearly changed everything that happened in the fight between Hector and Ajax. Without Ajax, the Iliad would be a different story because he plays an important role in the latter stages of the story. This representation is clearly different from that of the original. It would be an insult to me if they tried to change what really happened in the story then they would make money out of it. It would be better if they followed the story exactly and not change the content.
Glory in battle, nobility, and pride.
Glory in battle, nobility, and pride, such profound words that has stirred so much trouble since the dawn of time. Over a thousand wars had been fought just to prove who is better than whom. Such is the case in Iliad, where two nations brought war to one another’s people just because of a single reason, a woman.
King Menalaus of Sparta, known to be a great commander, has fought a lot of battles for his own glory and for Greece as well. He was engaged with a woman named Helen. He was deeply in love with her for she was such a graceful and lovely woman. Helen is like a goddess who came down to Earth. She is terrific in each and every way.
The insanely beautiful woman is the main root of the problem. One night, Paris of troy, son of King Priam, met Helen and he fell in love with her and the woman fell for Paris too. They both agreed to escape Menelaus secretly and live in Troy where they could be happy even though they know that war will be brought upon them because of this certain decision they made. Helen is about to be labeled as “The Face that launched a Thousand Ships.”
When Menalaus found out about the incident, he rose into fury and hell broke loose. He immediately asked his brother who was the commander of all the Greek Armies for help to get back what was originally his. Every battalion of the Greek army sailed for Troy and wage war with them.
When they reached Troy and everyone was in their battle positions, Paris and Menelaus agreed to fight it out in a duel between the two of them and whoever wins will have Helen for himself.
I believe the both men showed an extreme display of nobility and honor. No one is above another. Just by willingly sacrificing their own life for the sake of their own comrades in battle and also to show their immense love for Helen. Both men fought each other ferociously, with each trust and each slash; they fought relentlessly for a noble cause, which is love.
Although everyone knows that Menelaus is far superior to Paris in battle, Paris never gave in to pressure but showed a kind of bravery that every person should possess. When he was courageously fighting his adversary, he fought for what he believes is right, for his pride, for his love. Menelaus gave his best to get back his Helen. Paris knew his fate that his life is nearing its end and he surely ready to meet it. But suddenly, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty saved him and took him to a place, his own room, far from chaos, far from battle.
If only Aphrodite didn’t save Paris from a violent death, the war might have ended in a peaceful manner. Just because Paris was saved doesn’t mean that Paris is a lesser man than Menelaus. It wasn’t his decision to flee from battle. In fact he was ready to die for his every principle. Menelaus, in spite the fact that he lost his chance to reclaim his love, kept his composure. This brilliant expression of nobility and the constant struggle for live is both shared by Paris and Menelaus in such an extraordinary way.
King Menalaus of Sparta, known to be a great commander, has fought a lot of battles for his own glory and for Greece as well. He was engaged with a woman named Helen. He was deeply in love with her for she was such a graceful and lovely woman. Helen is like a goddess who came down to Earth. She is terrific in each and every way.
The insanely beautiful woman is the main root of the problem. One night, Paris of troy, son of King Priam, met Helen and he fell in love with her and the woman fell for Paris too. They both agreed to escape Menelaus secretly and live in Troy where they could be happy even though they know that war will be brought upon them because of this certain decision they made. Helen is about to be labeled as “The Face that launched a Thousand Ships.”
When Menalaus found out about the incident, he rose into fury and hell broke loose. He immediately asked his brother who was the commander of all the Greek Armies for help to get back what was originally his. Every battalion of the Greek army sailed for Troy and wage war with them.
When they reached Troy and everyone was in their battle positions, Paris and Menelaus agreed to fight it out in a duel between the two of them and whoever wins will have Helen for himself.
I believe the both men showed an extreme display of nobility and honor. No one is above another. Just by willingly sacrificing their own life for the sake of their own comrades in battle and also to show their immense love for Helen. Both men fought each other ferociously, with each trust and each slash; they fought relentlessly for a noble cause, which is love.
Although everyone knows that Menelaus is far superior to Paris in battle, Paris never gave in to pressure but showed a kind of bravery that every person should possess. When he was courageously fighting his adversary, he fought for what he believes is right, for his pride, for his love. Menelaus gave his best to get back his Helen. Paris knew his fate that his life is nearing its end and he surely ready to meet it. But suddenly, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty saved him and took him to a place, his own room, far from chaos, far from battle.
If only Aphrodite didn’t save Paris from a violent death, the war might have ended in a peaceful manner. Just because Paris was saved doesn’t mean that Paris is a lesser man than Menelaus. It wasn’t his decision to flee from battle. In fact he was ready to die for his every principle. Menelaus, in spite the fact that he lost his chance to reclaim his love, kept his composure. This brilliant expression of nobility and the constant struggle for live is both shared by Paris and Menelaus in such an extraordinary way.
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