What Epic Elements do you Find in “The Illiad?”
The Iliad is a notable literary work by Homer. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Iliad.
Answer
What epic elements do you find in “The Illiad?”
“The Iliad” (762 BCE) by Homer (c. 800 BCE – c. 701 BCE) is one of the greatest epic poems in history. It has all the elements that make a story epic—heroes, gods, battles, and deep themes like honor and fate. In this ancient epic poem, the story focuses on the Trojan War, with brave warriors, powerful gods, and the struggle between glory and death. Let us explore the key epic elements in “The Iliad” that contribute to its enduring status as a timeless classic.
A Heroic Character: Every epic has a hero, and in “The Iliad”, Achilles is that central heroic figure. He is the son of Peleus, a Greek king, and Thetis, a sea nymph or Goddess. Achilles is a mighty warrior known for his unmatched strength and courage. Despite his flaws, he remains the greatest fighter among the Greeks. Homer describes him as the greatest of all the Achaeans. Achilles’ journey and inner conflicts show how complex a hero can be.
Gods and Supernatural Powers: One key element in epics is the involvement of Gods and other supernatural beings. In “The Iliad”, the Gods actively interfere in human affairs. For example, Athena helps Achilles by deceiving Hector during their final battle. The Gods often choose sides, like Zeus and Apollo favoring the Trojans and Hera supporting the Greeks. A quote that shows divine intervention is:
Whoever obeys the gods, the gods will favor.
The gods’ actions shape the entire course of the war.
Honour and Glory: Honour and glory are central themes in “The Iliad”, which are also common in epic poetry. For the warriors, achieving glory in battle is the most important goal. Homer emphasizes that for these heroes, dying with honor is better than living without it. Hector’s words highlight this:
Let me at least die gloriously, with a struggle,
and do some great deed that men will praise for all time.
Their pursuit of glory and honor drives them to fight bravely, even when faced with death.
Fate and Destiny: In “The Iliad”, fate controls everything. The heroes believe that they cannot escape their destiny. Even the gods cannot change what is meant to happen. Hector knows he might die but says,
No man shall send me to Hades before my time,
and no man, I promise, has ever escaped his fate.
This belief in fate gives the poem a tragic tone, as heroes accept their destiny, whether it brings victory or death.
Battle Scenes: An epic poem like “The Iliad” has long descriptions of battles. Homer writes about the fights in a way that makes readers feel like they are watching the battle. For example, when Achilles fights the Trojans, Homer writes,
Achilles ran everywhere, in a frenzy,
and he killed as he went, and the black earth flowed with the blood.
The battle scenes show the heroism and brutality of war.
Long Speeches: Another epic element in “The Iliad” is the use of long speeches and dialogues by the characters. Heroes and kings deliver inspiring speeches to motivate their troops or discuss matters of war and honour. For instance, Nestor gives wise advice to Agamemnon and the other leaders:
A dear friend’s advice can be a powerful thing.
These speeches are not just words but reflect the values and struggles of the characters.
In termination, “The Iliad” is a classic epic because it has all the key parts—strong heroes, gods, fate, big battles, and powerful speeches. These elements make the poem a grand tale of bravery, war, and the search for glory. Even after many years, “The Iliad” is still admired as one of the greatest epic poems ever written.