by Allen Teal

Created on: March 24, 2007   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

Beyond the fact that the original language of the works of Homer were in Greek, the stories can be best understood with at least a rudimentary knowledge of Greek language and as an offshoot their primitive culture. They are both very scholarly works that incorporate a great deal of Greek thinking and custom into the fabric of the text. Various myths are brought into the story line.

Understanding Greek language to unlock their processes of thinking that birthed the language gives insight into why the works are written as they are. Both works are lengthy narratives. One is about a war fought over a woman and a territory. The second is the account of one war hero's epic return home to a faithful wife.

In the Illiad, the idea that two nations would go to such an elaborate war over such small matters is difficult for the western mind to grasp. In the Greek world view, honor and property were the key undergirdings of their society. Much like the eastern concept of the "On," the Greeks felt not only personal but a societal obligation to recover what was theirs.

Their city-states were extremely communal in nature. To violate the honor of one was to violate the honor of all. For the Trojans to have committed this act of kidnapping was considered not only wrong but bordered on Hubris. This is the word that the Greeks employed when someone arrogantly intruded upon domains reserved for the gods on Mt. Olympus.

When Mary Shelly wrote "Frankenstein," she subtitled it: "A Modern Day Prometheus." Prometheus was the God who brought fire from the domain of the gods to the earth for man. He willingly helped mankind have a tool of the gods and was chained to a rock for eternity. Her idea, of course, was that the doctor who created life from death was walking into the territory of the gods. Hubris was a big deal to the Greeks.

In the Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus, had to prove himself worthy to be returned to his homeland. While this isn't stated directly, the idea of proving one's honor to recover one's losses is strongly implied. His wife is portrayed as a strong and beautiful woman that he left to pursue the manly practice of war. Now, just being a war hero wasn't enough. Her virtue was proved again and again as suitors pushed her to abandon her husband for dead. Greek thought established by the language characteristics gave Odysseus every opportunity to prove that he was worthy to be received back by this nearly perfect woman.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.