However, other cultures, such as the Japanese, UT a great deal of emphasis on honor. Being a person of your word is the most important thing to many, but some in modern American society consider honesty a weakness. We will now kick at the differences and similarities of the values of those in the story to people today, and how they compare with other cultures around the world. The strangest and most foreign difference is the way women are used as offerings of honor in the story. It is unimaginable to give women to men in order to honor them.
Agamemnon said, “I will also give him seven beautiful omen who are skilled at handicraft, among them Bribers, whom I have never touched. ” (Homer 139) Earlier in the story, Achilles said, “l will not fight you for Bribers because you gave her to me. ” (Homer 131). The reason Agamemnon took Bribers is because he had to give up Chrysler. Both were gifts given to Agamemnon and Achilles to honor them. Agamemnon says, “l prefer Chrysler to my wife Clytemnestra… Yet even though love her, if it is necessary, I will return Chrysler to her father. (Homer 129) This behavior is completely foreign to us today. There are cultures where women are remised to men in marriage, and there are also many polygamous cultures, but the thought of using them as prizes is a kin to slavery. When we look at certain traits such as dignity, we can see it was very important to the Trojan and ancient Greeks. When Paris sees Menelaus accept his challenge of man to man combat, he cowers in fear behind his men. When Hector sees this, he exclaims, “Evil Paris! It would have been far better for the Trojan people had you never been born or had you died unwed.
As it is, your behavior is shameful. You countrymen scorn you, and he Greeks must be laughing to see you lack courage in your heart. ” (Homer 133) Clearly, bravery in battle, and dying in battle shows courage, and gives you a sense of dignity among your countrymen. Now, this is comparable to behavior today. Being called a coward is still a great insult, and it is impossible to show any amount of dignity by being a coward. Fame does not seem to be the same today as it was back then. In the story, fame seems to be based on your prowess in battle.
I am sure there were famous Greek and Trojan artist, politicians, or athletes, but the soldier holds a such higher level of reverence. Today, I am sure if you asked 100 people, maybe one would be able to name a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. However, 99 out of 100 probably know of Tiger Woods or Tom Cruise. Revenge is certainly a theme throughout the story. The entire was because Paris took Helen from Menelaus. Agamemnon took revenge on Achilles for losing Chrysler. Achilles has to take revenge on Hector. “What joy can I have when Patrols, dearest of all to me, is dead?
I no longer care to live unless I slay the godlike son of Prima who killed my friend! (Homer 145) Even the gods in the story are full of revenge on one another for past offenses. The sense of revenge is not lost on people today. However, laws today would not allow revenge in this manner. The one consistency with all the revenge in the story is everyone feels it is owed them, and would be a great offense not getting the revenge. There would not be much anyone could do if another man stole their wife or whatever Chrysler was to Agamemnon. Achilles would have to rely on the judicial system for any retribution on Hector.
