Gods In The Iliad Research Paper

The gods in The Iliad often take an ongoing interest in the lives of mortals. At times the gods take the form of mortals, prompting them toward a specific action or supplying them with the power to push back enemies. At other times, the role of the gods appears as metaphorical, explaining changes in the moods of men; the gods of the Iliad also sometimes act directly. The fight between Achaea and Troy is also a spur between different groups of gods in conflict. For example; Hera, Athena, and Poseidon support the cause of the Achaeans, while Aphrodite, Ares, and Apollo assist the Trojans. Zeus, the most powerful of the gods, leads over the conflict and also participates himself. Men can sometimes change their fate when they are glorious on the battlefield, but the gods always have the final say or

Although the Trojan War occurs when Paris and Menelaus duel for Helens' hand, the gods are the main perpetrator of the Trojan War because the gods push them to fight before their duel. To begin, in book two just as the two armies are about to depart Odysseus delivers a speech to Agamemnon and the troops. He recollects the ancient prophecy of Calchas. Before the fleet arrives in Troy, the army offers a sacrifice while they see a snake slither up a tree to get to a nest, where it swallows eight baby sparrows and the mother and then turns to stone. Calchas understands this as a sign that Troy would fall. The parts in the story of the prophecy maintain Odysseus’ claim that the gods have fated an Achaean victory, urging the soldiers to continue fighting. The prophecy encourages them to fight by changing their mood from dispirited to hopeful. Next, as two armies approach each other Paris appears at the front of the Trojan forces, inviting Achaeans to