Human Conflict In The Iliad

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Human conflict is among the most complex topics in the world. It has always occurred alongside the existence of humanity, and often it escalates to violence and warfare. This has been a cycle throughout history, and there has not been much evidence pointing to the end of it. With no foreseen end to this cycle combined with a population that has an ever expanding curiosity, humans have had to justify going to war. Individuals tend to be very passionate and emotionally connected to their beliefs and thus they enjoy being right. They have justified violence and war with this innate desire to be right, and for this reason they have become the most common method for resolving human conflict; but at what cost? Life. Unity. Respect. These are concepts …show more content…

The entire poem is about the Trojan War, which was fought over the most beautiful woman in the world. The wife of the Trojan King, Helen who was the most beautiful woman in the world, was kidnapped and as a result, a ten-year-long war erupts and countless lives are lost. At one point, the soldiers begin to think that there is “no shame in running” because it is “better to flee from death than feel its grip” (Homer, The Iliad XIV. 96-98). As Greek soldiers have the notion of being valiant, their cowardice in this situation amplifies the magnitude and senselessness of this war. The Trojan War was fought because of the overarching powers’ desire for the beautiful Helen. It was not fought because the soldiers had a true hatred for each other. This war was justified on the basis of a desire for the winning the woman – or more broadly explained, it was justified on the leaders’ …show more content…

Passion is what causes violence in terms of human conflict; but often society overlooks the consequences violence has on the individuals in humanity. The United States wanted so desperately to fight communism that they put their own citizens in harm’s way multiple times. The complexity of conflict, such as the Cold War, lies within this dilemma: there’s no telling who is truly right. Perspective makes all the difference. So now I ask: why must humanity employ violence when more often than not the cost is much greater than the cause? The price of violence is a life, but one of the few priceless gifts humans have is a

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