The Iliad

Poetry | Homer

The Picture of Society in Homer’s “The Iliad.”

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Make a note on the picture of society you find in Homer s The Iliad NU Homer s c BCE c BCE The Iliad BCE is more than a tale of war It reflects the social life of ancient Greece Through characters and customs Homer shows the real values of that time We see honour leadership family and fate in action The poem gives a mirror of Greek society Its picture is so close to the truth that it makes Homer a realist of his age Honour and Glory In this society honour is the highest value Men fight for name and fame Achilles feels insulted when Agamemnon takes Briseis Hector wants to be remembered as a brave hero The society respects warriors who prove courage Homer begins The rage of Achilles sing it now goddess This shows how personal honour controls action Glory is the measure of a man

Homer shows a society where respect is everything Without honour a man loses value Role of the Gods The Greek society believes gods decide human fate Gods guide punish and protect people Apollo sends plague when his priest is insulted Athena helps Greek warriors in battle Zeus the king of gods controls destiny Homer says Whoever obeys the gods the gods will favor This line reflects the belief of the time In this society people must pray sacrifice and obey The gods are part of daily life Society cannot imagine life without them Social Status and Leadership Society is divided by rank and power Kings and leaders stand above others Agamemnon leads because he is king Even strong warriors like Achilles must show respect Homer says A king is entitled to honor above all men This shows the right of rulers Society depends on order and command Warriors and common men follow their chiefs That means that the highest honor is for leaders Homer s picture is very real and historical Family and Friendship Family is a strong part of society Hector loves his wife Andromache and his son He knows he may not return from war She cries and says Hector you are my everything now my father my mother my brother and my beloved husband This scene shows real family love Friendship is also deep Achilles cries for Patroclus like a brother These relations make the poem real Homer shows how Greeks valued home love and loyalty Fate and Mortality The society in The Iliad believes in fate People think no man can escape his time of death Hector accepts his fate before fighting Achilles He says No man shall send me to Hades before my time This belief guides human action Death is certain but men still fight for honour War shows life s harsh truth Homer does not hide pain blood or loss This picture of fate and death makes Homer a realist poet In termination we can say that Homer s The Iliad presents the society of ancient Greece in a true way Honour gods kingship family and fate shape life War is cruel but part of human destiny The picture is not ideal but real It shows the values and fears of common people and leaders alike Homer paints life as it was This makes him a true realist of Greek society

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