The Childish Nature Of The Gods In The Iliad

In many ancient stories, the gods are presented as mighty and wise beings, ready to guide and instruct. But in The Iliad, a very different picture is shown. Throughout the chapters of The Iliad, Homer consistently delivers one major point: the gods are petty beings, entertained only by mindless death and arbitrary displays of power. Humans in The Iliad struggle to fight a fair war, a war separated from the will of the gods. From forcing the hands of the soldiers and prolonging the war to needlessly venting unjustified anger upon humans, the gods in The Iliad make a watertight case for their own pettiness. Beginning with the opening lines, The Iliad is steeped in drama and death, with a fatal plague sweeping through the ranks of Achaean soldiers. The plague was sent by Apollo, spawned by his childish anger due to the Achaeans not offering him sacrifices. From the very beginning of the story, Homer shows the childish nature of the gods, as Apollo lashes out at a minor error. To Apollo, the Achaean soldiers are simply toys upon which to relieve his irritable burden. Apollo’s behavior at the start of the story sets the stage for what is to come later in the story - pure and simple foolishness.

When Agamemnon’s plan to test his soldiers’ morale by pretending to give up the war backfires, the men rush back to their ships to sail for home. The Trojan War could very well have been averted at this juncture - if not for Athena’s intervention. Calling Odysseus, Athena orders him to return and convince the Greeks to turn around and rush back toward the impending war. After Odysseus returns, the soldiers turn around and head back into combat. Because of the gods’ direct meddling, the Trojan War becomes a reality, rather than a close