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.”

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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.

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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.