Grief in The Iliad Essay - 510 Words

Grief in The Iliad There are many lessons that can be learned from reading Homers The Iliad. One of which is understanding the stages of grief. One can literally watch Achilles go through all five stages when he morns the death of his comrade Patroclus. Achilles moves through Denial and Isolation, Depression, Anger, Bargaining and Acceptance in the short time after his close friends death. Sheltered under his curving, beaked ships he found him, foreboding, deep down, all that had come to pass (18.3-4). In this sentence, Achilles is trying to avoid learning about his friends death. He has isolated himself in hopes that it is not true. He knows that it is so but feels that if he can keep from hearing the truth that it will not†¦show more content†¦A black cloud of grief came shrouding over Achilles. Both hands clawing the ground for soot and filth, he poured it over his head, fouled his handsome face and black ashes settled onto his fresh clean war-shirt. Overpowered in all his power, sprawle d in the dust, Achilles lay there, fallen#8230;tearing his hair, defiling it with his own hands (18.25-30). In this passage Achilles is acting out some of the classic symptoms of depression such as sadness and hopelessness. Another symptom of depression is suicide. Homer demonstrates this well in the following passage, Antilochus kneeling near, weeping uncontrollably, clutched Achilles hands as he wept his proud heart out#8212;for fear he would slash his throat with an iron blade (18. 36-38). Achilles once again speaks of killing himself as he passes from depression into the stage of anger. My spirit rebels#8212;Ive lost the will to live, to take my stand in the world of men#8212;unless, before all else, Hectors battered down by my spear and gasps away his life, the blood-price for Patroclus, Menoetius gallant son hes killed and stripped! (18.105-109). In anger the grieving person may be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt, much as Achilles was towards Hector. Achilles also briefly passes through the stage of bargaining when he is having a conversation with his mother, Thetis. Youre doomed to a short life, my son, from all you say! For hard on the heals of Hectors death your death mustShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad Essay1231 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Iliad is a tale of war and aggression (Puchner 183). Written in the 8th century, it remains relevant to society today. The basis of the Iliad, warfare, brings with it portrayals of death, grief, and the real problem with humankind: we are not peaceful beings. In a war-ridden world, these topics remain pertinent to society. These terrors of war showcased in the Iliad generate an anti-war message. With this said, Homer creates a timeless lesson against war with his work. 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