The Iliad is an epic poem written by the ancient Greek poet Homer It is a foundational work of Western literature, and is believed to have been composed sometime between 800 BCE and 700 BCE. It centers around the story of the Trojan War, a ten year conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans, which was ultimately ended by the Greeks’ victory. The poem follows the Greek hero Achilles, who is the protagonist of the story, as he fights against the Trojans and their leader, Hector.
The Iliad is a complex work, and as a result it has inspired a wide array of essay topics. Here are some of the best examples of essay topics related to the Iliad:
1. Examine the role of fate in the Iliad. How does fate shape the course of the war and the decisions of the characters?
2. Discuss the themes of honor and glory in the Iliad. How do the characters of the poem use their own pride and honor as motivation to fight?
3. Compare and contrast the characters of Achilles and Hector. How do their different motivations and personalities influence their decisions and the course of the war?
4. Analyze the role of divine intervention in the Iliad. How do major gods such as Zeus, Athena and Apollo shape the outcome of the events of the poem?
5. Assess the influence of gender roles in the Iliad. What roles do female characters like Helen and Andromache have in the poem, and how does their presence shape the events?