The Iliad - AskMen
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      Troy: The Mighty Myth

      Page 2 of 2

      the iliad

      This epic poem, which is over 26,000 lines in length and written in dactylic hexameter, doesn't focus on the entirety of the Trojan War even though Iliad means story of Ilion, which is a synonym for Troy. In truth, the story has for focal point the heroes Achilles and Hector.

      The story is about the 10th and last year of the war, when Achilles stops fighting for the Greeks because Agamemnon takes away his woman. But when his best friend, Patroclus, is killed by Hector, Achilles wants payback. Not only are the beginning and the end of the war absent from The Iliad , most of the events in the poem take place during five fateful days.

      The themes explored in Homer's tale relate to wrath and vengeance, as experienced by Achilles. It's about a hero struggling to achieve eternal glory. How can a person be a hero? What does it take?

      Homer suggests that it doesn't relate only to great fighting skills, but rather to charisma. Other themes dealt with in the yarn include the relationship between fury and passion, divine justice, and the connection between men and gods.

      historical accuracy

      People frequently ask whether or not The Iliad indeed reflects history. Did the Trojan War really occur? Most historians are of the opinion that a set of historical events are represented by The Iliad , but not necessarily accurately.

      It's believed that around 1250 B.C., raiding Greeks indeed destroyed the city of Troy. While The Iliad isn't a precise description of what really went on, it does describe a way of life and a belief system that was predominant during the late Bronze Age.

      why is it searched?

      Warner Brothers decided to kick off the 2004 summer film season with Wolfgang Petersen's Troy . While the budget is reportedly higher than the official $185 million US tally, it doesn't guarantee that facts have been respected.

      Actually, a lot of liberties were taken in regard to Homer's original story. For instance, the movie doesn't include the gods. With Hollywood's reputation of mangling the classics in order to appeal to the masses, it's understandable that people want to know the truth.

      length of public interest?

      In addition to Troy (2004) starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom, Robert Wise also directed a large-scale motion picture called Helen of Troy in 1956.

      For more than 2,000 years, Homer's works have been the standard for poetry and epics in general. Even though John Milton's Paradise Lost , published in 1667, was the last true epic poem, Homer has continued to influence writers and historians to this day.

      Wolfgang Petersen's movie might not be remembered hundreds of years from now, but it would come as no surprise if The Iliad and the Trojan War were celebrated for another 2,000 years.'s Analysis
      Of The Longevity Of This Term's Popularity - 8/10


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