Crystina Arft
Western Humanities
Professor Sims
1/1/13
When given a task and promised a reward on completion would a human not try to do everything his or her power to get that reward? Even if they don’t reach the end of a task or a quest would they not get a little credit from something or someone? Rewards motivate soldiers, in the case of Homer and the Iliad; the characters mostly glorified war, but not all. This is because they knew, despite the bloodshed, that they would be rewarded and not with only material items. However, Homer hints at the fact that war is not always beautiful or honorable.
Based on what we have read so far on the Iliad, Homer believes that to fight in the war is the right thing to do. Achilles was a firm believer of this in book one before but after withdrawing from battle, he has had plenty of time with his thoughts to himself. Odysseus presented an offer to Achilles for him to return to battle. Achilles declines the offer saying the following:
Book 9 - “Coward and a hero get the same reward:-[Line 326]
You die weather you slack off or work
…But a man’s life cannot be won back- [Line 421]
Once his breath has passed beyond his clenched teeth.
Achilles had a point. Like today, many people want to live a long prosperous life. The soldiers today aren’t fighting for glory they are fighting for their families, friends, and the rest of America. The Achaeans fought for glory for themselves and their families and some material things. One cant help to think that reason for fighting can be a bit confusing. Another reason why Achilles might of remained withdrawn was because he has seen the pain and suffering of not only the soldiers, but also the families back at the cities who receive the information that their husband, son, or brother is dead. Still the Achaeans fought for reasons they thought were enough to motivate them. Most Achaeans believe to fight in the war, is the noble thing, the right thing to do. To sit on the sidelines and do nothing about it is cowardly and shameful. Homer feels the war is justifiable and the correct way to settle the dispute. It is a valiant and commendable endeavor. Homer does not let go of the harshness, the
