Examples Of Rage In The Iliad

Rage is clearly a rather extensive theme in the Iliad. Rage is defined as either a violent and uncontrolled anger or as a fit of violent wrath. In terms of the Iliad overall, rage would best be defined as a fit of violent wrath. After all the first line of the Iliad, “Rage:/sing; Goddess, Achilles’ rage,” (1. 1-2) describes the human emotion that leads to doom and destruction in this epic. Achilles ' rage is a major inhibitor to the action in the Iliad. It is his rage that makes him both withdraw from and, later, rejoin the war with a fury. His rage is a personal choice and, at times, is created by the gods. Homer uses Achilles’ rage towards Agamemnon to show how counterproductive rage can be to both the overall goals of the Greeks and to Achilles himself. The book opens in medias rest, meaning the reader is introduced to the battle of Troy at the height of the cities siege. The idea of Rage is introduced at its most extreme due to the first instance of rage being depicted in this epic is an example of the wrath of a God. Agamemnon had taken Apollos’ priests named Chryses’ daughter. Agamemnon was dismissive and rude to the priest which dishonored him so in turn dishonored Apollo. To dishonor a God is obviously a very great offence throughout Greek mythology there are many instances of great warriors walking on eggshells to stay in the gods good graces. Needless to say, offending Apollo lead to great destruction of Agamemnon’s forces “Nine days the god’s arrows rained