The Role Of Greed In The Iliad

Τhe Iliad is the oldest epic, alongside Odyssey, written by an Ancient Greek, legendary author, Homer. Iliad’s theme is the terrible wrath, or in Greek mênis, of Achilles, against Agamemnon. From the very beginning of this epic poem, the main motif and the foundation for the composition of the epic are clear. The content of the Iliad is much wider and concerns the warfare between the Greeks and the Trojans around Troy, during the tenth year of the Trojan War, and more specifically the last 51 days of that year. Homer, however, has succeeded in linking Achilles' wrath to the general battle of the Trojan War, as the absence of Achilles forces the audience to turn their eyes to the difficulties that Greeks face in the battlefield and the efforts

of others heroes to replace him. Thus, although the central action of the Iliad is Achilles' wrath, not the entire epic is devoted to it, but simultaneously the absence or presence of Achilles continually determines the developments. In this essay one can examine the wrath of Achilles, the way is expressed and to whom is directed. The perception and importance of arête, the role of the goddess Thetis. Additionally, the reason as to why Achilles rejects Agamemnon’s gift and the inability of Achilles comrades to persuade him. Moreover, one can investigate if Achilles strategy worked and how it did, explaining the role of Ate, the return of Achilles in the battlefield and how he defeated Hector. Lastly, one can explore the differences of King Priam and Agamemnon and how King Priam affected the actions of Achilles. Another example of Thetis comforting her son was when obtained a new armor for her son from Hephaestus after the death of his friend Patroclus and to return Patroclus to his father King Priam.
Starting off, Achilles wrath was the terrible anger he developed, concerning Agamemnon and the share of their spoils.

Agamemnon refused to return the captive Chryseis back to her father, and Apollo's priest, Chryses, who out revenge and anger, asked the god to punish the Achaeans. Apollo responded and send a terrible plague to the Achaean camp. Agamemnon was then forced to return Chryseis and demanded that Achilles' prize, Briseis, be her replacement. Achilles considered this claim to be disrespectful to himself and the heroism he had shown. The lack of honor on the part of the leader in his face who states that he "doesn’t care" whether or not Achilles will leave has provoked the explosion of his wrath. As a result, he quarreled with Agamemnon and finally decided to leave the fight and go to his mother, goddess Thetis, for comfort and guidance.

Furthermore, Achilles heroism led him win his arête, but in the Iliad's warfare context, arête becomes more specific. It is a form of superiority and supremacy and is mainly related to the prowess of the warriors and whatever is contained or contributed to the representation of the hero to others. Arête was achieved and shown not only by the accomplishments in the battle field but also by the gifts and prizes one won. Therefore, Achilles' respect and arête was insulted when Agamemnon replaced Chryseis with his spoil,

Briseis.
As far as what was goddess Thetis role, when Achilles was sitting alone, complaining to his mother and goddess, Thetis, about the event that took place prior that day, she came to comfort him. Achilles told what happened until that moment when Agamemnon took Briseis. Then he asked her to mediate with Zeus and ask him to stand by the Trojans. Thetis promised to speak to Zeus as soon as he returns from the Ethiopians. Achilles plan was to make the Greeks realize his absent and beg for his return. He wanted to restore his honor as a counterpart to his short life. Thus he wanted Zeus to make the trojans stronger so they can defeat the Achaeans. Thetis was the perfect person to ask for such favor, because, as his mother, she was sympathetic towards him because she also knew that his life was short, so she made sure his will was fulfilled and second because she had access to Zeus, who he owed her a favor.
Atê is the blindness of the mind that drives man to say words that he would not say and do things he would not do if he was the owner of himself. He does not make exceptions and dazzles even brave and hierarchically superior. And so it must be done. From Times to times some have to lose their senses in order for the war and the conflicts to rise. In fact, we must emphasize that this blindness is not instantaneous, but lasting. An example of that is Achilles wrathful strategy which worked, because with the assistance of Zeus, the trojans became stronger, during Achilles absent and took down many Greek solders. As a consequence, Agamemnon tried to make Achilles come back to the battlefield to liberate Greeks from the madness of trojans.
Moreover, Agamemnon recognizes his mistake and promises a generous reward for restoring his relationship with Achilles so he can return to save the Greeks and help then win over the trojans. Achilles rejects Agamemnon’s gifts and does not get persuaded by the representative ambassadors send to him. The description of the mission for reconciliation with Achilles conceals in its composition a formality and strategy from the people chosen, the gifts, the time of its execution, the words spoken, the examples employed, as arguments, all have their place. These gifts are too many and of great value. It is tempting because the aim of Homeric heroes was to increase their goods. Such an offer could bend Achilles' anger while showing that Agamemnon recognizes his error. While Achilles' insult was direct and public, now the remorse is from afar, with promises and mediators, preserving the prestige of the Agamemnon. Only if he came himself and publicly recognized his mistake, Achilles might have been justified. Achilles' attitude towards the rich gifts is totally negative, because Agamemnon's attitude restores material damage, but does not satisfy Achilles' wounded pride. He argues that his contribution to the war is not recognized, and that instead of martial values, it puts the value of life as a result no one could change his mind.
Additionally, Achilles returns to the battle despite Thetis prophecy of his imminent death, relenting his death. The reason is the fact that his friend Patroclus got killed, and Achilles aimed to revenge his death. The heavy words of Patroclus, and above all the high appreciation to his friend, have won the intransigent attitude of Achilles, who accepts the "solution" not to join himself but his beloved friend with the whole army. Achilles directs them with libations praying to Zeus for Greeks to win so Patroclus can return save to the ships. But in the tough battle that Patroclus participated, he was killed by Hector and the news hurt Achilles. The murder of Patroclus was the turning point of Achilles which cancels his anger towards Agamemnon and overthrows everything, since the death of his friend is a second personal concern for Achilles.
In Hectors face now, Achilles seeks revenge and the battle between Hector and Achilles begin.
Achilles throws his spear first, but Hector avoids it. He also replies with a sharpshooter, but he finds himself on the shield of Achilles and does not penetrate it. Athena in the meantime helps Achilles by giving him his javelin, while Hector is looking for his brother to give him a new spear. But no one is there, the trick of Athena has succeeded. And Hector himself knows the end has arrived. It does not put it down. He says he will fight to death. He waves on Achilles with his sword, wearing the former immortal armor of Achilles, which he had taken from the dead Patroclus. Achilles, knowing well the weak points of his old armor, throws the javelin to an open point in Hector's cervix. Achilles draws the dead Hector around the walls of Troy with his chariot, defeating his victory.
The main difference between Agamemnon and King Priam is the fact that King Priam which he did not mind to crush his reputation by begging Achilles to return the corpse of his son Hector, in order for him to bury him properly. Priam appeals as an adherent to Achilles. Emphasis is given for supreme act of humiliation of the elder king, who, following his typical supplication, he kneeled and touch Achilles' knees while in an unexpected move he kissed his hands. Priam is presented to Achilles as a father and a peasant, not as a king. Priam's speech focuses on comparing him with Achilles father. he emphasizes their common age with Achilles' father and the similar problems they both face. Priam's words recall Achilles his father, causing him grief. The recognition in the face of Priam of his own father is equivalent to the removal of his divine substance and her acceptance of the common human heritage. The two of them will mourn together. Achilles remembers his own father, his cruelty subsides in front of the pain of Priam and gives him the dead,

In conclusion, one examined that Achilles wrath was caused by Agamemnon dishonor of Achilles arete. After feeling disgraced Achilles lives the fight and asks his mother Thetis to tell Zeus to punish Greeks by making the trojan stronger in order for them to understand Achilles importance , and that’s what happened, causing many of the Greek army to die, this had as a result for Agamemnon to bribe Achilles to return to battle and save the Greek from completely vanishing. Achilles doesn’t accept his bribery and does not return to the war. His turning point came and his return to the battle after his best friend Patroclus died by the hands of Hector, wanting revenge for his dead now friend. In a hard battle he kills Hector and dishonors his corpse, however he returned it to his father Kind Priam, because he saw in his face his father and felt sad and sympathized with him.