Differences Between The Greeks And Trojans In The Iliad

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The Iliad portrays a gruesome battle between the Greeks and Trojans that has been ongoing for over nine years. The Greeks ultimately triumph in the war, but not without bloody conflict with the Trojans. The Greeks and Trojans each have positive characteristics that bolster their glory throughout the Iliad and lead to a tense fight between the two sides. Unfortunately, their emotions overpower them and hinder their beneficial traits. The emotional struggle that both sides confront throughout the story constructs contrasting personalities and clashing ideals in battle. The Greeks and Trojans each display positive characteristics such as the Greeks being strategic, and the Trojans being noble; however, each group also exhibits negative attributes …show more content…

Hector’s nobility is the reason that he must return to battle, because he must fight for the land that he loves, otherwise, he would be considered a coward and would no longer be considered honorable. Hector again demonstrates this trait in Book Twelve. The Trojans are attempting to invade into the Achaean camp and an eagle flies overhead carrying a snake, which is an unfortunate sign for the Trojans. Polydamas notices this sign and exclaims to Hector: “Stop the attack, don’t fight them at their ships! All will end as the omen says, I do believe” (12.249-250). Polydamas begs Hector to reconsider their barrage at the Achaeans because of the ominous sign that appeared to them. Hector’s honor is questioned and this provokes Hector to give a stern reply to …show more content…

The two binaries of the Greeks, strategic and temperamental, create moments of tension when the Greeks lose a lapse of judgement because they are being emotional. This binary occurs within the Trojans as well when their moments of nobility are overshadowed by their will to flee the battle. The two sides are stiffened by their emotions, which succumb the best of them. Even though the Greeks win the war, it was no easy victory for the Greek. They face lapses in judgment because of their emotions and lose many soldiers along the way because of it. Even though both have positive traits, those traits can fade away in an instant if their emotions overtake their strategic or noble qualities. With this emotional struggle that each side faces, Homer shows that emotion in all of us can bring about an

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