The Iliad Book Iii

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Running Head: THE ILIAD BOOK III 1

THE ILIAD BOOK III

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THE ILIAD BOOK III 2

While the initial two books give an introduction to the Achaean commanders, book III

introduces the Trojan army. Some of the major characters introduced in this book include

Paris, Hector, Helen (who was initially the queen of Sparta), and Priam. Their personalities

are very evident in the book. Particularly, Paris is shown to neither be a fine prince or a noble

warrior. His glibness puts him in stark contrast with his brother, Hector, and other numerous

Achaean commanders who had been introduced in the previous books. For instance, while

Paris flees at the sight of Menelaus, his brother, who is ideally a noble warrior and an

honorable prince, ridicules him for disgracing not only himself but also all the Trojan forces

(Homer, 2000).

Although Paris resentfully blames his hard luck in the war against the gods whom he

states to have helped Menelaus, Homer never mentions about these gods. Even the

misfortunes that Menelaus suffers in the war indicate that no divinity helped him.

Nevertheless, possibly the most contemptable of Paris’s actions is his retreat to his

matrimonial bed (Homer, 2000). As the whole Trojan army tries fighting for the woman

whom Paris had stolen from the Achaeans, Paris is busy sleeping with her. This slur to the

warrior code is resented even by the Trojans themselves. They hated Paris like death (Homer,

2000).

By stealing Menelaus’s wife, Helen, Paris had ignited the Trojan war. This shows just

how self-centered he is, a quality that conflicts with that of a fine prince like Hector. Paris

fights efficiently using a bow and arrow, and never uses a sword or spear, which are

considered to be more manly. He lacks a hero’s code of conduct and would rather make love

to Helen as the Trojan warriors die for him. This makes even Helen scorn him. Hector

reprimands him for this on several occasions. He is considered by warriors from both sides of

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Running Head: THE ILIAD BOOK III 1 THE ILIAD BOOK III Name Institution Affiliation Date THE ILIAD BOOK III 2 While the initial two books give an introduction to the Achaean commanders, book III introduces the Trojan army. Some of the major characters introduced in this book include Paris, Hector, Helen (who was initially the queen of Sparta), and Priam. Their personalities are very evident in the book. Particularly, Paris is shown to neither be a fine prince or a noble warrior. His glibness puts him in stark contrast with his brother, Hector, and other numerous Achaean commanders who had been introduced in the previous books. For instance, while Paris flees at the sight of Menelaus, his brother, who is ideally a noble warrior and an honorable prince, ridicules him for disgracing not only himself but also all the Trojan forces (Homer, 2000). Although Paris resentfully blames his hard luck in the war against the gods whom he states to have helped Menelaus, Homer never mentions about these gods. Even the misfortunes that Menelaus suffers in the war indicate that no divinity helped him. Nevertheless, possibly the most contemptable of Paris’s actions is his retreat to his matri ...
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