Topic > The value system imposed by Homer on readers of the Iliad

Humans are complex beings, each with individual traits and an individual set of traits they value in others. Despite this individuality, cultures are shaped, in part, by the values ​​they possess and cultivate in their society as a whole. In Homeric society, two qualities in particular are prized in men, as they lead to honor: rhetoric to connect with others in society and the strength with which to use courage and strong words, while only one truly reigns as the most important in woman , for this will enable the man who possesses her to be honored by her before others: beauty. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Homeric society seems to admire glory and other equally vain things based on the opinions of others. Success and honor run side by side. All other values ​​connect to this need, including what people value. Men see women as possessions to be possessed and trophies to be won, and although a rich, beautiful woman is not intrinsically worth more than an ugly one in terms of her ability to carry out her duties, there is more distinction in owning a beautiful woman. 'prize.' Achilleus manifests this need when he considers it a dishonor that a woman defeated in war is taken away from him, not because he loves her, but because he venerates his ego (Iliad 1.161-71). Moreover, even the elders consider the Trojans and the Achaeans blameless "if they suffer hardship for a woman like this" because of Helen's great beauty (Iliad 3,156-60). But if men value women for vain and useless reasons, men are also valued for qualities that will not matter beyond this life, although they are aware that more is required of them for a good afterlife than beauty and honor. men for any characteristic that leads them to success in war, especially strength and rhetoric. People often glorified the powerful and the rich. Men used force to determine the outcome of contests, depicted in the Iliad as Helen being forced to marry the man who won the duel: not the smartest man, the best man, or the man who had chosen, but the strongest, as this was what truly mattered to the people (Iliad 3.136-8). When Priam asks her to talk about the men of her city, Helena does not define them by their personalities or their actions, but still by their strength, since both she and Priam care about this in particular and therefore they expect that kind of response from men. question, even without specifying it (Iliad 3,225-40). Valor is an important trait that Paris does not possess and Helen decries for its absence, but it can easily be compensated for outside the public eye by charm and power (The Iliad 3.447-8). This appreciation of charismatic language goes far beyond just Helen. It proves to be a necessary skill for leadership, and is prized everywhere as skill in war leads to honor. People sought honor, and therefore what must be done to obtain it is to win. To do this, you need to be able to speak well to encourage troops to do well, to get them to follow orders or move up the chain of command. People strive to be liked, or at least respected, because they highly value the opinions of others. The audience sees Odysseus as an admirable and astute public speaker, as seen when he delivers respectful messages to those in power, asking them not to run away from war, while belittling those under him for giving the same message. People see in one of his last speeches, in which.