Write for an hour only (on the shield—p. 170-173, line 515).
Start: 2:20 End: 2:49
Post to blog afterwards.
The images Hephaestus puts on Achilles’ shield represent
civilization in Homer’s time, or what Homer may have thought civilization was
during the time of Troy’s existence. Both peace and war scenes are depicted on
the shield, the characters paused in perpetual extremes in gold and silver,
bronze and tin. The richness of the metals used are fit for a child of a god or
a king, showing Achilles’ importance to the gods. The shield itself also
represents protection, as it is used to protect the body of its user from harm.
A possible interpretation of this could be that Achilles is protecting
civilization, and represents the power of his lineage to those who oppose him.
The scene in lines 548-581 shows a battle much like the battle Achilles is
fighting against Troy, with an ambush that leads to victory, though with
slightly different methods. Some of the scenes make reference directly to gods
worshipped in the time of Hector, such as Ares and Pallas Athena in line 557.
Yet, many of the lines are simply scenes of life or of slaughter, such as in
lines 616-650. The lions ripping the ox apart as the dogs bark helplessly at it
in fear for their own lives may show the occasional cowardice of men against an
enemy. While they watch helplessly, what they swear to protect may be torn
apart. The beauty of the scene after the lions shows a kind of celebration and
calm during a time of peace, perhaps after a battle has been won. The images on
the shield seem to show his enemies the reason for why Achilles fights.
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