Homer's Iliad Is an Epic Poem That Thesis

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Homer's Iliad is an epic poem that is set in Ancient Greece. The story is meant to be an historical account of the Trojan War. The Trojan Prince Hector is eager to help lead his men to victory but Andromache, Hector's wife, is terribly worried about losing him and their son and breaking up their family. The "Ceres & Proserpina" of Ovid's Metamorphoses a poem that is also set in Ancient Rome. In this story Pluto, God of underworld, steals away Proserpina who is the daughter of Ceres and Jupiter. Ceres pleads to Jupiter, God of Heaven, that he uses his power to facilitate the return of her daughter. Both Andromache and Ceres are devoid of female significance or any sense of empowerment in both Greek and Roman mythology, and this portrays a sense of general helplessness in women. In the stories conclusion, Andromache loses her husband in the Trojan War and her family is also put to death, however Ceres is allowed to get her daughter back and gets to see her 6 months a year.

Andromache, though not a central figure, functions as a reminder to her husband, Hector, of his duties to the family. Andromache demonstrates an almost psychic understanding of the events of the war and lobbies for herself and her son as well as essentially the entirety of their family. Andromache tells Hector, "Your courage is going to kill you, and you have no feeling left for your little boy or for me" (Homer, 427-429).

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These blatant confrontations lead Hector to the realization that before he is a fighter, he's a devoted family member, he's a father, and he's the leader of their clan. Andromache offer much of anything in regards to fighting in the war so she pleas with Hector not to fight Achilles, who is a strong Greek fighter, but Hector rejects the plea. This rejection of her advice illustrates the core dynamic of the male/female relationship as male being stronger than female in the Iliad story. Andromache is powerless to do anything in the Trojan War for her or for her family.

In the story of "Ceres & Proserpina," Ceres is the goddess of crops and but she cannot get her daughter back. Ceres, filled with panic due to the loss of her daughter from Pluto, goes to the Jupiter, father of Proserpina and god of heaven. She tells Jupiter that Pluto steals away Proserpina; however Jupiter answers Ceres, "This is not an injury requiring my retribution, but an act of love by my son-in law who won't shame you" (Ovid,699-670). He rejects her request and he believes that it is out of love. Jupiter believes his brother Pluto, so he does not concern himself with the daughter. The rejection of Ceres' request is another illustration that shows that lack….....

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