Question

Discuss how the worldview that Denby describes helps to account for, and make sense of, the violent and vengeful elements of Homer’s Iliad that may seem cruel and immoral to a contemporary reader. Real life connection: When we see that the Greek aristocracy uses gods and religion in stories about heroes to inspire and manipulate common men to die in war for the aristocracy, does it make us stop to consider that this could or does happen today in our military wars?

Answer 1

The worldview of ancient Greeks helps make sense of the violent elements in the Iliad and raises questions about the use of gods and religion in war.

Step-by-step explanation:

The worldview that Denby describes helps to account for and make sense of the violent and vengeful elements of Homer's Iliad that may seem cruel and immoral to a contemporary reader. The tales organized under Homer and Hesiod were used by the Greeks as a source of education and moral exemplars. The myths provided a set of values and exemplified virtues such as excellence (arête).

Similarly, when we see that Greek aristocracy used gods and religion in stories about heroes to inspire and manipulate common men to die in war, it makes us consider the possibility that similar manipulation could occur in modern military wars. The tales taught the Greeks how to conduct war and glorified strength in battle, while the orators distorted the tales for personal gain.

Overall, the worldview described by Denby helps us understand the violent and vengeful elements of the Iliad in the context of ancient Greek society and its values, and it raises questions about the use of gods and religion in inspiring war in both ancient and modern times.