The Iliad

A detailed Summary of The Iliad

A modern reader's response to "The Iliad's"

"The Iliad" is a story of courage and war. Two friends torn apart by one's stubbornness and a battle that was controlled by gods. "The Iliad" raises a big question on the status of women. The women in this story were used sexually, however the men couldn't survive without the women. Women was not only demeaned, but were also a sense of pride or strength. The men in this story felt they were nothing without the presence of a woman.

The first showing of the status of women was through the central character Agamemnon, who doesn't want to lose his precious prize, Khryseis. Not without inheriting another woman called Briseis a "flower of young girls that she is"(30,line 16) he wants to "show here and now who is stronger." (30, line 17) In this scene, a women is somewhat uplifted, for having a women of high quality proved that he was superior to everyone else. The father of Khrseis goes to great lengths to see that his daughter is returned, which shows loyalty to a woman. Women here are being praised, but that will soon change.

Thetis, the sea nymph, is asked by her son Akhilleus to ask Zeus to punish the Achaens. When Thetis proposes her problem to Zeus he respon

d by saying that she " drive [him] into open war with Hera sooner or later: she will be at [him], scolding all day long." (39, line 96-97) In this scene Zeus shows his respect to his wife, Hera by acknowledging her opinion, since she favors the Greeks. Zeus is now torn between a battle with two women. But soon after, Zeus forgets about his wife and finally decides to pay back his favor to Thetis. Hera goes on nagging Zeus about his arrangement with Thetis and the Zeus threatens to "lay [his] inexorable hands upon [her]" (40, 653). This is a turning point in "The Iliad's" status of women for Zeus the leader of the gods is issuing threats to hit a women thus condoning this act of violence. This scene only contradicts a modern reader's perspective on how they treat women.

One man in this story is truly respected and put on a pedestal and that is Zeus. Zeus commands his wife, Hera and Athena not to interfere with the war. The two women knowing that this man is superior and can destroy them, say nothing or do nothing to challenge his authority. This scene here shows the status of women as it was seen in the old days that men did all the work and women was to shut up, be quiet, and take orders when they were told to. Later in the story in the middle of battle Zeus tries to save his son Sarpedon, but Hera persuades him not to because that would be unfair to the other gods and their families. Zeus does however in a small way acknowledge his wife's opinions and sometimes follow them. Zeus then wants revenge and kills Patroklos, the one who killed his son.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Patroklos Thetis, Iliad's Status, Trojans Hektor, Homer's Iliad, Sarpedon Hera, Thetis Zeus, Hera Athena, Achaens Thetis, Greeks Zeus, status women, Thetis Hera, women story, modern reader's, status women iliad, women iliad, iliad's status women, today's society, wife hera, respect wife, women today's, women women, modern reader's perspective, women today's society, reader's perspective,

Approximate Word count = 1103
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English