Okay guys, I talked a lot today in class. You got to hear my opinion of the text. If you would like, please post your opinions. Do you agree with me that the Iliad doesn't glorify war or heroism but criticizes it? Don't the appeals to dipolmacy, peace, and the care of concrete others over abstract, remote ideas like honor prevail in the end? Furthermore, feel free to share your opinions on contemporary war and the bravery of combat soldiers. Does the Iliad have anything to teach both ourselves on the home front and, more importantly, our soldiers in Iraq? Or are these wars incomparable? Just think of the difference in the way we fight, the methods of war? Yet, don't we honor soldiers in a similar way? Do we not consider those who die for this cause brave, do we not commemorate them, immortalize them, for the commitment to their country regardless of their personal feeling toward the war?
Of course this isn't a required question....I would just like to see what you think.
Cheers,
Dr. Layne
PS I will post my question on Prometheus Bound Monday around 12.
Well, I agree that Homer criticizes war in the Iliad instead of glorifying it like many historians often do. He criticizes the emotions and themes affiliated with war and examines each emotion and theme such as love, hate, honor, etc. In a way, the characters in the Iliad each represent a certain emotion or theme. For example, Achilles represented the longing for a peaceful life. In today's society, many people want just the simple peaceful life, especially the soldiers with families.
ReplyDeleteWe spoke in class about how honor was supposed to last for eternity. One of us also argued about how the people had to deal with the "now" situations of their time. A good example of this situation would be to have an aspiration to rule the world, but the appeals of diplomacy, peace, and care of others stops that aspiration. One: at least one other country would try to stop you from taking over the world. Two: you would technically be disturbing the peace. Three: a fear could set in for fear of your loved ones.
In the Iliad, honor was a big point. Well, today's soldiers should realize that trying to attain honor doesn't exactly put bread on the table for their families. Honor is not an actual tangible benefit. The Iliad could teach our soldiers that the value of a life is not really worth the value of honor. The soldiers should realize that they have people who depend on their existence, and like Hector's family pleaded to him, they needed him.
In the Iliad, the method of war differs. It differs because the methods used had little regard for human life. The armies were merely footsoldiers required to do their jobs. In today's war methods, every life is important and must be attempted to keep safe. No life is indispensable in today's world, while life was indispensable in the Iliad.
We honor soldiers for being soldiers in the first place. We honor them because if they did not volunteer their lives to protect our country, a mandatory draft would come into place and rip apart families. Therefore, we would see something similar to the Iliad where soldiers had to leave behind families.
Ehh I hope this is sufficient enough... Weekend brain @_@