MortalityAs Seen In Homer

’s Iliad Essay, Research Paper

Zeus views mortality as the ability to pass to the domain of Hades, by which Zeus has no control over. The reader knows that even Gods are not immortal according to this definition, for Kronos long ago passed into Hades’ kingdom. Gods do not pass on as easily or as frequently as immortals, but as each immortal dies the Gods are reminded of the existence of the underworld. When Aikides dies and his immortal horses cry in mourning, Homer sets up a paradox of an immortal feeling the loss of a mortal. This paradox furthers Homer barrier between mortals and immortals by allowing the immortals to realize that life does end. To an immortal the death of a mortal is usually meaningless unless it interferes with their current motives for the drama of the battle. Immortals rarely mourn for the death of a mortal because they are passing from the earth. They are just upset that they will need a new mortal to persuade for their own furthering. As it fits into the overall picture shown to us in this epic: mortals only have fragile life while immortals view their existence as a long game. The horses’ rare mourning shows the reader that the immortals do realize that their life too will end.

Immortals do have children that are mortal and a certain amount of grieving takes place when a child of a mortal dies. However, usually the death of an immortal’s child is viewed as destiny (Bk.16.lns.440-450). Immortals dismiss death as what is fated and they know they have no power over fate. Just as fate created Zeus more powerful than his father, Kronos, and allowed Zeus to overpower him and send him to Hades, Zeus too will fall at the hands of fate. Homer skillfully sets off mortality from the gods only to show that the Gods are actually, in fact, mortal too because nothing lasts forever, for Kronos is a God and passed on long ago.