Modern Day Iliad Research Paper

Modern Day Iliad

A hero today is someone who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, while a hero long ago was admired upon as a god. In the book Iliad, Homer writes about a war between the Greeks, led by Agamemnon and the Trojans, led by Hector. The battle is stirred by the Trojans when they capture a pair of beautiful maidens, Chryseis and Briseis from the Acheans. The war then escalates and turns into a war to the end of one’s country. The book of the Iliad is relevant to today’s world because even now people strive to be honorable and heroic. Honor and glory motivated the Greek and Trojan warriors. These warriors would give up their life to have the opportunity of glory and the honor to be remembered.

The glory earned by soldiers on the battlefield enabled them to live on in legend, becoming heroes who would be remembered long after death” (LitCharts). For an average man in early Greece, their soul desire was to be worthy enough to perform and to excel in battle. Glory earned by the warriors during war created their legend. This led to the ultimate goal of being able to be recalled long after death. A typical man’s life was spent on countless hours of attempting to earn the honor of his fellow man. Same today, the world is full of humans competing against each other to live out their legacy and be remembered. The tragedy of the World Trade Center (9/11) brought much patriotism in the United States of America. After a tremendous terrorist attack, America had patriotic citizens signing up for the military in their own honor. Casey Owens seventeen year old military recruit who was stricken with his own tragedy the day of 9/11 when he saw his mom devastated in tears at the incident. This tragedy inspired Casey, he says, “That’s one of the main reasons I want to go into the military,” he said. “To help fight for freedom and make sure it doesn’t happen again.” (Lush). The

Today the terrorist group, ISIS, motivates vulnerable people to defend and honor Islam their religion. Mark Van Vugt of Psychology Today explains that individuals who are joining Isis are joining to defend their religion and be remembered within their religion. “For many young men engaging in warfare is just an adventurous journey. And for many it is a way to increase their status among their peers.” (Van Vugt). Isis warfare is motivated through religion. Just like the Trojans our motivated by their gods to fight, young Muslims are giving up their chances of future to defend their religion and fight for it. Muslims volunteer to defend to their religion with a hope to please their God, just as the warriors fought in the name of their gods for inspiration. The Trojans are charging the Greeks fortress on foot when a mighty eagle soars with a serpent in its talons. The serpent pierces the eagle, which forces the eagle to lose its grip and drop the serpent above the battle. Polydamas takes this as sign from the Gods that their assault will fail. Hector ignores Polydamas and says, "No, no put our trust in the will of mighty Zeus, King of the deathless gods and men who die. Fight for your country - that is the best, the only omen!” (Homer). The Greeks are trusting their religion and gods to grant them military victory. Homer