Great Books

Vaniah Sharaij I. von Tronchin June 23, 2020

MTWTh 15:45-8:00

1. Who are the main characters of these stories? Who are the gods and goddess in both
stories?

Based on the essay that I have read, the main character for Iliad is the Achilles and the
main character for Aeneid is Aeneas. These are the gods and goddesses that are
mentioned in the essay: we have Zeus, Athena, Hera, Aphrodite, and Thetis (see goddess,
also known as Achilles’ mother.) In the story we can only see 5 mentioned gods and
goddesses, however if we will read both the stories of Iliad and Aeneid we will be able to
see more gods and goddesses.

2. What roles did these gods and goddesses play in the fate of the main characters?

The important role that the gods and goddesses play in the fate of the main characters is
that they served as a so-called balance to what the main characters in the story lacked. So
first we have Aeneas as an example who has problems controlling his emotions, and
these emotions are strong in a sense that it controls him and pulls him away from his will.
Now in this situation, the god’s role was to remind him of his duties and make him calm
to stop him from his reckless behavior and actions. While in the Achilles’ case, he as
problems with his temper/anger/rage. And in this situation the gods’ and goddesses’ role
was to interrupt and make him stop.

3. How are these gods different from the Christian god that you know today?

First of all, these gods are different from my God because my God exists, while these
gods are just myths. My God is not picky, he loves you even though you do not love him
back, he loves you even if you are dirty or clean, he loves you even though you sinner,
and he even died on the cross for us to take our place while these gods did not. And
second he is patient in a sense that his emotions do not overpower him nor control him.
He is so patient that he gives us time to change and gives us promises and hope in his
word so that we may have the sufficient time to change before he will return for his
second coming.