When I first heard that I was going to read "The Iliad" for my Classics of Western Lit course at Southern Virginia University, I must admit I was a little intimidated! It isn't a book that I would choose to read just for pleasure. I fell asleep within the first two hours of reading it. The book is Greek poetry that has been translated into English. When I began reading, I didn't really understand the storyline and different characters' struggles.
That all changed when I was able to recognize what a great writer Homer really is. When I was finally able to fully immerse myself in the story, I found that the characters and their storylines were riveting. As I read on and went to class, I was finding parallels to the scriptures, parallels that I didn't even know were there! There are so many great symbols and little clues hidden in Homer's writing, clues that if you look hard enough, you will find. By reading this great work of literature, I have also increased my knowledge of Greek customs and culture.
I think The Iliad is relevant to me and my life, because not only does it have parallels to the Gospel, it also has important life lessons to teach us. Achilles, son of Thetis and Peleus, learns from Agamemnon that death is inevitable, and that submission is crucial. We know that we will all die someday. In "The Iliad," every warrior wants to receive his own Kleos, or glory. Just like the Greek warrior, we as disciples of Jesus Christ are striving for our own Kleos, our own eternal life.
Another lesson we learn is found in Book 24, when Hector is killed Achilles. Hector is wearing Achilles' armor "The rest of his flesh seemed all encased armor, burnished, brazen- Achilles' armor... 'Hector-surely you thought that you, you would be safe!" (552, ll. 379-391). Along with this. "I know you well-I see my fate before me. Never a chance that I could win you over...Iron inside your chest, that heart of yours...Death cut him short."(553, ll. 419-421, 425). From these quotes, we see that not even Achilles' armor could save Hector. In the modern world, Satan is attacking those who would choose the right. If we put on the armor of God, we can stay safe from the wiles of Satan.
This work also teaches us the power of forgiveness. "The majestic king of Troy slipped past the rest and kneeling down beside Achilles, clasped his knees and kissed his hands, those terrible man-killing hands that had slaughtered Priam's many sons in battle... 'I deserve more pity...I have endured what no one on earth has ever done before-I put to my lips the hands of the man who killed my son." Priam shows his iron (enduring) heart by forgiving Achilles.
This is a book that every college curriculum needs and one that every student can learn from. The Iliad changed my life, now let it change yours.
