Homer

Sexual Desire Transforms Men into Animals

Homer wrote the Iliad centuries after the events in the story take place. This allows Homer to show the progression of battle strategy and weaponry during that era. In contrast, the status of women as inhuman objects used to represent a man’s prowess and honor remains the same. There is a cyclical relationship in ancient society’s refusal to allow women their individuality, therefore forcing them to use their sexuality in order to be active participants in their lives, which in turn leads to lust filled men committing acts of violence against humanity.

Although the Iliad is full of rash and selfish behavior, Aphrodite and Paris are the pillars of the continuous turmoil in the Iliad. Physical passion and self-satisfaction control both characters. In addition, both lack the ability to comprehend the future effects of their callus behavior. Placing dishonorable desire before his country, Paris’s irrational actions begin the destruction of his country.

For example, when Paris chooses Aphrodite’s gift of the most beautiful woman in the world in exchange for his vote, he is not thinking as cautiously as he should when dealing with an immortal. He could have chosen Athena’s gift of battle glory or Hera’s gift of great power and riches. Either one of theses two choices guarantee his ability to select many beautiful women based on his own criteria. Instead, Paris allows Aphrodite to choose for him one single, beautiful, but married woman, Helen.

Helen’s husband Menelaus and Paris have exchanged xenia, making Paris’s theft of Helen even more deceitful. Lust for the possession of the most beautiful woman in the world causes Paris to forsake his honor and his country. When Paris learns of Helen’s marital status and that she is a mother, he could have honorably declined Aphrodite’s offer. However, self-gratifying behavior causes Paris to disregard the safety of his country and the life Helen already has....