Numerous battle scenes are included in the epic, which provides insights into the way the war and men at war were seen at that time. For instance, the battle describing the courage of Patroclus unveils the major themes arising in the descriptions of such scenes (Homer 235). First, the author pays considerable attention to such details as armament. Warriors are often given specific attributes such as “silver-footed Thetis” and weapons are also well-defined as warriors are killed with “cold bronze” (Homer 235). Such details suggest that armament was an important theme as it stood for the wealth and might of the army.
Battle scenes are also characterized by the description of the mental state of men who are mainly outraged and committed to revenge on their enemies. Homer also illustrates the satisfaction warriors display when they kill their enemies as every hero falls “much to the pleasure” of their rivals (Homer 236). Battle scenes are full of violence and detailed descriptions of wounds that cause death. Thus, Homer describes fighters as brutal creatures that focus on killing their enemies with all means available to them. The expression of grief and joy is another characteristic feature of the epic poem. Interestingly, men are rather emotional on the battlefield, as described by the ancient author.
Patroclus is always beside Achilles to support him in the saddest moments and the moments of his rage. Patroclus remains loyal to Achilles in his rage regarding Agamemnon’s actions, which is highly appreciated by the renowned Greek hero. Achilles shows his great respect for Patroclus when he asks him to make sacrifices (Homer 220). Patroclus remains loyal to Achilles even at the moment of his death. The young man dying on the battlefield still calls his beloved companion “Peleus’ perfect son” without any remorse or pity for himself (Homer 242). This loyalty shows that the friendship of Achilles and Patroclus was a perfect relationship as seen by the Greeks.
Achilles asked his young friend to be reasonable and remain calm, avoiding dangerous battles. These two Greeks were ready to give their lives for each other, and they did so. Patroclus died because he followed his companion in a brutal war. Achilles died blinded by his rage, remembering the death of his beloved friend.
Uncontrollable emotions seemed one of the biggest threats to the well-being of the society at large, which can be assumed when reading the Iliad. Homer starts the epic poem with Achilles’ rage, which shows the Greeks’ attitude towards this kind of emotion (189). Achilles’ rage is described as “black and murderous” and causing “incalculable pain” (Homer 189). The encounter between Achilles and Agamemnon shows that all people who tried to resolve the conflict focused on Achilles’ emotions although they tried to make both parties satisfied. All speakers mentioned the hero’s rage and expressed their negative attitude toward such emotions. They emphasize that one of the greatest Greeks has to “swallow his temper” (Homer 191). They see Achilles’ rage as the major obstacle to the entire military campaign.
This universal desire to take negative emotions under control suggests that Greeks feared uncontrollable emotions, especially such feelings as rage. They saw this emotional state as devastating and made rational decisions impossible. On the one hand, this shows that Greeks were eager to ensure critical thinking and proper decision-making. On the other hand, they also admitted that humans were bound to strong emotions that could hardly be suppressed, which could result in conflicts and even wars. The entire Trojan War, as depicted by Homer, was a result of Menelaus’ rage due to the loss of his property and wife.
Work Cited
Homer. “The Iliad.” The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, edited by Martin Puchner et al., 9th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2014, pp. 232-324.