Socrates Essay Example

Socrates Essay Homers Iliad is a tragic account of the Trojan War based around the rage of Achilles son of Peleus against Agamemnon the King of Mycenae. Although the relationship between these two characters is the main one in the work, there are many others that are found. The relationship between the two men who start the war, Paris and Menelaus is one of hate and spite for one another. Hector, the strongest of the Trojan warriors, and Achilles, the champion of the Argives, have a similar relationship. The relationship between Paris and Hector, brothers and princes of Troy, is not as clear cut as the rest. Atfirst glance, the reader might feel that the two brothers are very different, and that they have a dislike for one another. Upon deeper reading, however, it is found that the two men are similar in many ways. The reader also sees a certain sympathy that is found between them. Thefirst confrontation between these two men in the work involves Hector severely scolding Paris for trying to back ou t from Menelaus challenge (3:42-92). Hector says many harsh things to his brother and is finally able to persuade him to step up to the challenge. Uponfirst glance, it may seem to the reader that Hector truly hated his brother specifically when he calls Paris a curse to your [Paris] father, your city and all your people (3:58). A deeper understanding, however, proves otherwise. As Hector mentions, if Paris were to back down, he would be a laughed at by all the troops. Hector scolds him in order to save him from this embarrassment. Hector wants his brothers image to be that of an honorable soldier in front of the enemies. His scolding gives Paris the courage to step up. In many instances in the work, insults and scolds are more than enough to rally someone to fight. This is especially seen in Book 2, when Odysseus insults are able to bring all the troops back from fleeing to their ships.