Although both works are credited
to Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey provide two remarkably different views
on the nature of the Olympian Gods, their relationship to humanity, and the
general lot of mortals throughout their all too brief lives. As a result of these
differences, both stories end up sending contrasting messages about life in
general. In the Iliad, the supernatural denizens of Olympus are depicted as
treacherous, power-hungry, and above all temperamental beings that are
always at each other's throats. Factionalism abounds, and neither the bonds
of marriage, nor the ties of kinship can contain keep it under control. A perfect
example is when Ares betrays his mother, Hera, and his sister, Athene, by
aiding the Trojans instead of the Greeks. When he is discovered, Athena
strikes him down in battle through Diomedes. In the Odyssey, however, the
Gods of Olympus display far more unity and civility toward each other. They......
Join Now or Login to view the rest of this paper.
Approximate Word Count: 1060
Approximate Pages: 5 (260 words per double-spaced page) |