Why Is Human Frailty Worth Honor?

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In Homer’s Iliad and Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, the Greeks and the Athenians fight for what they believe in. The determination of moira is introduced as a key part of the mystery of what life entitles. Humankind fights blindly to survive in a world full of cruelty and prejudice, yet also unfathomable beauty, devotion, and philosophy. However, is human frailty worth fighting for based on mortality and emotion, or is it an illusion to keep order? Since the basis of survival lies on a fear of the unknown, Homer argues that humanity is worth fighting for because of the integrity of sacrifice. Achilles realizes “in the end, everybody comes out the same” because the price for existence is death (Il. 9.325). Homer’s gods envy …show more content…

In the Iliad, Hector and Achilles can be seen as inhuman in battle, but still possess the ability to grieve and have compassion. In times of horror, compassion can be forgotten such when Achilles “pierced the tendons above the heels and clinched them with leather thongs...letting Hector’s head drag,” thinking it would fill the void of Patroclus’ death. The intense mênis of Achilles is an emotion of humankind that is worth fighting for because of the contrasting emotions it presensents. Hate cannot exist without love and vice versa. Hector amplifies this contradiction when he reaches “for his child, who shrank back screaming...terrified of his father’s face” so “Hector removed the helmet from his head..then he kissed his dear son and swung him up gently” immersed in the child 's innocence (Il. 6.492-499). Homer introduces this scene of purity to show that human fragility shines through emotion. Humans possess an innate need for personal connection. Achilles knows this, and although is seen as the lone hero, wishes to have “a woman to have and to hold,” and to “enjoy all the goods old Peleus has won” (Il. 9.413-14). The presence of Thetis’ inate care for Achilles is a contrast to the other Homeric gods. The gods in Homer use the Greeks as a way of amusement, but Thetis deeply cares and helps Achilles with his quest to return his timê. Homer defends the desire to care, just as strongly as the …show more content…

As compared to Homer, the Athenians in Thucydides are found to lie to themselves on their true intentions. Before the glory of Athens “piracy became a common profession both among the Hellenes and among the barbarians who lived on the coast and in the islands” (HPW 1.5). This barbarism is what Athens rebuffed by adopting the “Athenian daring” where they “take risks against their better judgement, and still, in the midst of danger remain confident” and believe “that the farther they go the more they will get” (HPW 1.70). This confidence in raw polis is why the Athenians fall. The Athenians believed their values were worth fighting for, but in fact it was all an act. They saw their great city as one no one could measure against and under Pericles, this may have been so, but we see that the people as a whole were under an illusion of virtue. They fought to keep the illusion alive. This is why Cleon proved to be “the greatest influence over the people” arguing “a city is better off with bad laws, so long as they remain fixed, than with good laws that are constantly being altered” (HPW 3.36-37). Cognizance is dainty and easily seduced. Even the worst of morals can be perceived as affluent to the Athenians because of the mist they engulfed themselves in. The ignorance to acknowledge their blind faith in one leader led to the downfall of the polis. This is why the “sudden

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