A Comparison Of Homer's Iliad Paris And Paris

One man a monstrous dictator who oppresses his people, the other a coward responsible for starting one of the most historical of wars, the two have many differences and few similarities but how these two most historical figures compare may surprise you. One man a heartless monster, the other a hopeless romantic responsible for stealing a man’s wife and starting one of the bloodiest wars in history.

Paris is the son of Priam and Hecuba king and queen of Troy. In Homer’s Iliad Paris is described as a cowardly prince with no talent in sword play. Paris is single handedly responsible for starting the Trojan War. Paris fell in love with Menelaus’ wife Helen, who he steals and brings back to Troy giving Greece the perfect excuse to declare war.

Paris is easily defeated by Menelaus, but he wanted more; Menelaus wanted to kill Paris to boost the morale of his men for their secret plan to attack the city of troy. Paris shaking with fear from his defeat was sent crawling back to the feet of his brother Hector, a much worthier warrior than his coward of a brother. Menelaus then attempts to strike the final blow while Paris begged at his brother’s feet, Hector then stabs Menelaus saying the battle is over, Agamemnon brother of Menelaus and ruler of Greece vows revenge promising to burn the walls of Troy to the ground. The battles still raged on, many warriors had fallen, including the cousin of Achilles; rumored to be the greatest warrior of all a demigod favored by gods and goddess alike. Achilles challenges Hector to a dual to avenge his cousin’s death by Hectors hand and kills him dragging his body around his beloved great walled city of Troy. Paris horrified by this swears to Achilles his revenge, with Hector gone the city of Troy was a “sitting duck” its only defense; high walls un-scalable by any man. The Greeks devised a plan to enter the great walled city by constructed a large wooden horse “an offering to the gods” out of salvaged ship refuge. Paris persistently urged his father to scorch the relic as he feared it was a

Now inside the city of Troy the Greeks wait for the perfect time to strike, upon night fall the Greeks silently climb out of their vessel of trickery and began slaying every citizen of Troy, setting fire to their homes and shops, tossing babies and children from the once great walls that now confined them to death. Paris seeing his city and its entire people in peril grabs his tightly strung bow tightens his royal grieves and armor and races to put a stop to Achilles whom he believes is responsible. However, Achilles wants no part of the war having avenged his cousins death and begins