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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page essay that examines the Iliad from the perspective of how, while the gods set the parameters in which free will was allowed to operate, it was ultimately the action of the individual that propelled him towards his destiny. Examination of Homer's Iliad shows that the actions of Achilles substantiate this perspective. No additional sources cited.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khfrwlil.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
that ones preordained fate as unavoidable. However, while this element can be seen throughout Greek literature, it is also true that there was also a certain degree of free will,
which was under the control of the individual. In other words, while the gods set the parameters in which free will was allowed to operate, it was ultimately the action
of the individual that propelled him towards his destiny. Examination of Homers Iliad shows that the actions of Achilles substantiate this perspective. The Trojan War has been in progress in
roughly ten years in the opening scenes of Iliad. As this suggests, the principal focus of the poem is not the war, per se. Rather, Homers tale concentrates on relating
the effects of an argument between the two main Greek heroes, Achilles and Agamemnon. Their quarrel concerns who has the greater claim to a captive woman. According to ancient custom,
the women of the vanquished are considered to be part of the spoils of war. Agamemnon is the leader of the Greek army. When he is forced to return the
daughter of a priest of Apollo, he insists that Achilles should give him his concubine, Briseis. Achilles ultimately capitulates, since Agamemnon is his commander, but he is angry and sees
the conflict in terms of an insult to his personal honor. Homer writes that Achilles responded by telling Agamemnon, "Ah me, clothed in shamelessness, thou are of crafty mind" and
then questions whether any of his men will continue to obey him after seeing him treated in such a manner by Agamemnon (Homer). At first, Achilles threatens to take
his men and go back to Greece. However, after the intercession of the gods, Achilles chooses only to withdraw from the battlefield, refusing to fight, as a sign of his
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