Okay guys, I talked a lot today in class. You got to hear my opinion of the text. If you would like, please post your opinions. Do you agree with me that the Iliad doesn't glorify war or heroism but criticizes it? Don't the appeals to dipolmacy, peace, and the care of concrete others over abstract, remote ideas like honor prevail in the end? Furthermore, feel free to share your opinions on contemporary war and the bravery of combat soldiers. Does the Iliad have anything to teach both ourselves on the home front and, more importantly, our soldiers in Iraq? Or are these wars incomparable? Just think of the difference in the way we fight, the methods of war? Yet, don't we honor soldiers in a similar way? Do we not consider those who die for this cause brave, do we not commemorate them, immortalize them, for the commitment to their country regardless of their personal feeling toward the war?
Of course this isn't a required question....I would just like to see what you think.
Cheers,
Dr. Layne
PS I will post my question on Prometheus Bound Monday around 12.
Yes, i definitely agree that Homer criticizes the importance of war, glory and heroism in the Illiad. Although there are similarities between how soldiers from the Illiad and contempary soldiers view their wars, such as receiving honor if they die in battle or opposing the war entirely, i believe Homer criticizes those themes because...who wants to have flowers given to them if they arent able to smell them? It would be far better for the person to be praised and appreciated while he is alive and with his family living happily than to be given praise, flowers, and kind words at his funeral. The concrete is definitely more important than the abstract, although abstract values such as bravery and honor are important. But because they are not tangible things, soldiers would rather live without them. I'm sure many soldiers would put away their pride and ego and would prefer to go home to their families instead of doing a second or third tour in a war to receive a higher degree of praise or respect from their superiors or their country.
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