Do you know what I envision in my mind when I'm reading the fighting scenes in 'The Iliad'?
Two big guys standing on opposite sides of a field, with a big ditch in-between them. (Yeah yeah, there was a scene like that already in the book; I thought this up before I read it!) In front of them is an armada of minions reflecting the emotions of whichever big guy they stand with. When one says boo, boom goes the dynamite, and off go the minions to kill each other, while the big guys are left to either procrastinate on making the next decision, or to plan out a confrontation later on that will catch everyone's attention.
And then there's the gods. They do stuff 'n junk to the mortals for awhile, big daddy Zeus says 'baaad immortals', and the gods more or less keep their mouths shut -- which does not mean they change their actions, of course. I kept expecting someone like Apollo to scoff at Zeus, then there be a loud confrontation that tests Zeus' position. Of course, his power is well-known by almost everyone it seems, so there is apparently some viability to the reluctantness the gods have to do or say differently.
But poor, poor Odysseus... talk about having some bad luck during Book 11. At least some guys eventually show up to help out, but even then, they have to make a speech beforehand.
Oh well. Let me add some structure to this blogature real quick before calling it a day.
From the class discussions we've had so far, and just from my own take on the first twelve books, it's interesting to see how the gods and the mortals have their own social structures, but how they correlate in various ways. As already mentioned, morals is one aspect. Then there's also how they like to plan and conspire, fight, be involved in some way with others' affairs. Curiosity? Noseyness, in my opinion, because it seems the gods can view what's going on all of the time anyway.
So I'll leave off with a question:
Why do the gods bother with the affairs of the mortals? Is it because it's their duty as 'gods', or is it truly because of similar reasons for why the mortals get involved in others' affairs?
P.S. Posted a comment on Will's blog 'Starting the Iliad Discussion Correctly'
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ReplyDeletePrevious comment removed for editing. The gods care about mortals like Alabamans care about college football. It's a seriously pointless obsession. That is, the outcome of the football game / Trojan war doesn't affect anyone personally, but it still arouses fierce loyalty and even violence between the fans/gods. (Oh, and it all started with a beauty contest between the gods, so their own pride and honor is at stake.) Apollo's loyalty to the Trojans is like that of an Auburn fan. He knows they will get slaughtered eventually, but that doesn't stop his fighting for them.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting to watch the dynamics of the Social culture of the gods. They are basically allowed to do anything, towards the mortals, and towards the other immortals too. Honestly, the immortals are just like you and me in many ways. Their thought process and innate tendencies remind me of human children. They all have their own agenda, and will do anything in their power, to fulfill their fancy. Generally, the gods say one thing, and do another. Athena and Hera used back-hand tricks, to go against their Zeus' wishes. They didn’t have the guts to directly challenge him, but they rebelled anyways, hoping they wouldn’t get caught, a lot like teenagers today. All of this is normal in the immortal’s world. Considering this, it makes me glad to think that our God is just, and not like a human at all. He is one God, and is consistent, always.
ReplyDeleteTheir culture reminds me of the one I live in today. Look at any reality show today, and you’ll find the same kind of culture. So my question is: Why did Homer portray the gods like this? Did he mean to imitate the society he saw around him in his day, or was his character development near prophecy of today? Sometimes I think the mortals act more sensibly than the gods. Did he mean for his characters to be this way… perhaps he did.