Paris as the Character of Homers Iliad - Essay Example

Paris as the character of Homers Iliad Homers Iliad is considered to be a brilliant example of heroic epos of ancient times. This story is based on Greek mythology and contains characters of divine and earthly nature. Courageous warriors and outstanding events, beautiful women and insurmountable gods are under investigation of Homers Iliad. During the entire story special attention has been paid to such character as Paris, and he has become an object of interest for me. This character seems to be rather contradictory and curious in the dimension of analysis. If to take under consideration the origin of Paris in the Greek mythology it is important to mention that he is considered to be the son of Priam who has been a king of Troy (Paris, 35). This character is also famous as Alexander because of legend concerning Paris’s childhood as person who grazes sheep (Paris, 35). Sorcerer has told that their future son may destroy their country. It is mentioned that he has been left by his parents in the Mount Ida for being ruptured by wild animals (Paris, 35). Still, she-bear has helped him to stay alive and slave has found the boy and took him to his home. He has grown up and become handsome and charismatic man with a huge bravery and courage. Concerning the Homer’s Iliad it is important to mention one more legend that is connected with Paris, and that serves as a beginning for the main conflict of the entire story that is under consideration. The legend has its name that sound as Paris and Golden Apple (Paris, 71). Greek mythology tells that Paris has pretended to decide which of the goddess he should give the apple that determines the most beautiful one. He gives this apple to Aphrodite who promises him the love of the most beautiful woman in the entire world (Paris, 71-75). It is clear that he does not need money or glory; he needs only a lot of love and passion in his entire life. It is relevant to mention that this story provokes Aphrodite to give Paris a helping hand in the abduction of Helen. This particular event is regarded as a challenge for beginning a war between Greeks and Trojans (Linn, 31). As it is mentioned before, Paris is remained to be a son of the ruler of Troy, Priam. On the other hand Helen is considered to be a wife of Menelaus who is the ruler of Sparta (Linn, 31). It is natural that Menelaus has not been tolerate to such humiliation and has decided to start the war against Troy and people who live there. Such situation seems rather unpleasant for both Greeks and Trojans. Paris pretends to be rather risky and naughty person as it is considered to be his whim that has started a war. Such behavior may be regarded as arrogant and fastidious because of his special desires. On the other hand he remains to be adventurous and passionate as for the love of one woman he is ready to start a war and to endanger his nation of Trojans. Homer dedicates all book in Iliad connected with this love triangle, and this part is named for its participants Paris, Menelaus, and Helen (Johnston, Book III). This book clearly represents the scene of hand-to-hand duel between Paris and Menelaus. They fight for the woman and ready to prove that they deserve Helen. This lady has become “a cause of entire war” and as Linn mentions “their fight is symbolically between warrior and lover” (31). As a result everyone gets its merits: Menelaus wins the fight, and Paris wins the girl. The description of Paris before this fight shows that he is full of forces and ready to defend lady he is in love. “Then godlike Paris stepped out, as Trojan champion, on his shoulders a leopard skin. He had bow and sword. Brandishing two bronze-tipped spears, he challenged the best men in the whole Achaean force to fight…” (Johnston, Book III, 16-20). The author compares Paris to god and emphasizes his brevity and force. Moreover, he has been not afraid to fight with “War-loving Menelaus” (Johnston, Book III, 20). Paris recognizes his power and skills as a warrior, but he has challenged Menelaus accepting any consequences that may happened. Other important point that should be regarded is Paris’s exceptional beauty. The episode when Hector appeals to Paris he tells him “despicable Paris, handsomest of men, but woman-mad seducer” (Johnston, Book III, 39-40). We may regard from this words that Paris likes female representatives and they like him because of his charm and beauty. Although, it is important to admit that such love has been more of physical character. Paris is represented as passionate and successful lover and we may count number of erotic scenes that shows Paris’s delight by the women. Even the situation with Helen is constructed mostly on physical aspect of love. We observe “ambiguous picture of Helen’s attitude to Paris” as it has been Aphrodite who forced Helen to make love with him (Allan, 67). At the moments of enlightenment she desires to return to his husband Menelaus, but Aphrodite immediately has charmed her to go to bed with Paris (Linn, 31). That shows the unfairness of Paris and meanness of his soul as he gets Helen’s feelings with the usage of magic. This woman understands that she is in love with her husband, but she goes to ban with another man. Paris is described as extremely passionate person. The moment of his loosing the fight reaffirms that as he has not been disappointed because of his defeat he has just desired to make love with Helen. What is more, he has done it immediately after the fight and as Linn mentions “Paris cannot control his lust” and that is regarded as his only defect (31). One more important point is that with the help of Paris the war starts, but he is considered to be absolutely uninterested in it. The episode from Book VI confirms this idea. Hector remains to be angry at Paris as the hard times for Troy has started. Nevertheless, a strong and powerful warrior Paris lays in the bad with Helena (Linn, 41). This situation seems unacceptable for hector and he considers Paris irresponsible and lazy. This idea is clearly visible if to take under consideration his last fight. Paris battle with Achilles is realized with the help of god Apollo (Johnston, n.p.). This is considered to be him who provides a helping hand to Paris in this particular fight. Achilles has been killed by Parris only because he knows the weak point of this warrior. Paris also died in this fight because of hard wound. He did not to leave this world full of physical love and pleasure, still this is remained to be his fate. Further figures that involve Paris’s characteristics successfully interfere in literature in particular and art in general. There are a big number of Paris’s stories in the dimension of art, as much as characters who look and act like Paris (Allan, 37). It is important to admit that he has become an example of handsome man or temper and his image associates with such description in modern tradition. Taking all facts under consideration it should be concluded that Paris is remained to be one of the most interesting and ambiguous characters of Homer’s Iliad. He pretends to be courageous man at the first glance. Still, all that he has is his charm and beauty that presupposes Paris to be lusty and passionate with women. He has great skills in communicating with them; still, he needs Aphrodite’s help with Helen and her love to Paris. He gets wins only because of slyness and craft. Therefore, we may suggest that no honesty or fairness have been presented in his soul and mind. Reference List: Allan, William. “Homer: The Iliad.” UK: Bristoll Classical Press, 2012. Print. Johnston, Ian (trans.). “Homer Illiad.” Canada: Vancouver Island University, 2010. Web. Linn, Bob. “CliffsNotes on Homers Iliad.” USA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, 2000. Web. Paris, Stephanie. “Mythology.” Canada: Shell Education, 2013. Print. Read More