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Introduction

Life’s Purpose Has Been a Question to Humans throughout History. It is timeless and

cross-cultural, forcing one to think deeply. This essay explores the worlds of Ancient, Medieval,

and Renaissance times through the lens of Homer’s ‘The Iliad,’ St. Augustine’s ‘The

Confessions,' and Dante's 'Divine Comedy”. “The Iliad” is an epic that reveals to us the Greek

thirst for glory and immortality of ancient times. The Medieval era is presented in St. Augustine's

"The Confessions" as a time for spiritual searching and seeking purpose in life. Dante's book

"Divine Comedy" takes us to the spheres of the afterworld, revealing the secrets of life after

death. Lastly, "The Prince" by Machiavelli introduces the Renaissance and offers a pragmatic

approach to political philosophy. In this essay, we will discuss the approaches of the

aforementioned books to the question of meaning for life. Thus, considering their perspective,

great discoveries will be unraveled about human nature.

The Ancient Period

“The Iliad” by Homer

According to the epic of Homer's "The Iliad," the purpose of life is inseparable from the

struggle for Glory and Honor. In "The Iliad," pride and honor are highly sought after as the main

ingredient to one's legacy and one's purpose, as exemplified by the excerpt: “He will fight again,

whenever the time comes that the heart in his body urges him to, and the God drives him. But

make trial of him, let some one of you take to him this gift, let Peleus' son remain there by the

huts. We will not follow upon him, that is plain, to beg him anymore. If his heart is a raging fire

to behold us before his eyes, so be it; if indeed he is eager to slay us, let him slay. What can one

do to men who will not listen and have no care for aught but strife?” (Book 9. Pg. 698), the quote
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embodies the prevalent view in ancient Greece, in which people saw their purpose in life was to

gain immortality through heroic deeds and having a high sense of earthly achievements and

metrics to be remembered after death. The desire to be recalled as a hero of valor and glory, a

person who valued honor, reigned supreme. According to Homer in "The Iliad," the purpose of

existence is associated with external recognition and eternal memory through deeds deemed

immortal, for instance, a conquering spirit. This viewpoint shows the heroism and honor that

were deeply rooted in the cultures of ancient Greeks.

The medieval literature

“Confessions” by St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s “Confessions” moves from externally perceived glory to inner spiritual

fulfillment and pursuit of divinity. Augustine, however, alludes to the fact that people's main

goal is to seek comfort and satisfaction in God through seeking internal gratification rather than

external ambitions. In the book “Confessions," this is exemplified in many instances, "But he

acted herein very discreetly, shunning to become known to personages great according to this

world, avoiding the dis- traction of mind thence ensuing, and desiring to have it free and at

leisure, as many hours as might be, to seek, or read, or hear something concerning wisdom." (Pg.

143). These epiphanies force him to recognize the importance of communion with the Almighty

and personal salvation as the only true purpose in life. The medieval perspective differs from the

external heroism of ancient Greece, thus underscoring the importance of an inner spiritual

journey.
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Dante in “Divine Comedy”

Medieval literature, as exemplified by Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy," offers a

profound and multifaceted exploration of life's purpose. Here, divine justice is paramount, and

Dante reflects on the consequences of one's choices. As Dante progresses through Purgatory, the

focus shifts toward the purification process and the potential for redemption. Souls in Purgatory

undergo a transformative journey, shedding their sins and striving for spiritual perfection. In

Dante’s work “Divine Comedy”, he recounts, “He held my hand, and even smiled, which gave

me some comfort when He led me through the gate to a strange land” (Book 1, Canto 3. Pg.34),

this statement emphasizes the importance of repentance and the pursuit of a higher, divine

purpose which is in line with the idea that the ultimate purpose of life which is to be in

communion with the divine and attain a state of perfect happiness and fulfillment through them.

Dante's work reflects the medieval Christian belief that life's ultimate purpose is to seek union

with God, finding the highest form of meaning and fulfillment in divine presence.

Renaissance literature

“Hamlet” by Shakespeare

All of his existential questions were expressed in this introspective piece. He wonders

about the pains and harshness of life, and he thinks whether it is nobler to bear them or take a

person's life. This speech concentrates on the inner war within, about the meaning of life and

whether existence in a world full of torment and injustice is worth it. The play presents numerous

moral dilemmas; he must seek revenge for his father’s death. It is evident in his hesitation and

inner turmoil that he deeply ponders the ethical implications of his actions. As exemplified by
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the following extract: "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night

the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." (“Hamlet”, Act 1, Scene 3, Page 22). The

quest or life purpose, as depicted is, towards the end, a longing to find meaning and make sense

of a world defined by duplicity, double-crossing, and moral uncertainty. He stands for the fight

for the meaning that the individual wages to find purpose and direction in this confusing, chaotic

world. Through this play, life becomes a thoughtful philosophical question and a reflection of the

human experience, which consists of crises, moral problems, and existential questions.

Biblical Response

Notably, emphasis on faith, morality, and divine purpose is drawn from the Bible. The

primary purpose of humanity is to know, love, and serve God. This is directly articulated in the

book of Ecclesiastes, which states, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole

duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12: 13). The notion here is that fulfillment or value in life is found by

living in conformity with God's moral or ethical principles, unlike the course writers, then, the

biblical view places more weight on faith, morality and righteousness rather than quest for power

or personal interest. On the one hand, Machiavelli argues for practical politics, but on the other

hand, the Bible encourages living a morally upright life full of compassion. Similarly, to

medieval and Renaissance writers, the biblical viewpoint points to the importance of the interior

spiritual journey. Dante's "Divine Comedy” and St. Augustine’s “Confessions” tell the story of a

journey undertaken by the soul in search of God, echoing the biblical call to strive for a more

personal relationship with the Divine.

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Conclusion

Each epoch has had its views about the meaning of life in ancient, medieval, and

Renaissance literature. The "Iliad" of Homer demonstrates that in ancient Greece, life had a

purpose, which was closely associated with the drive for glory and honor. In medieval literature,

St. Augustine and Dante were concerned with obtaining spiritual fulfillment and having a deeper

relationship with God. "Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and Machiavelli's 'The Prince' explore the

complex human nature and the practical approach to power during the Renaissance." The views

vary, but common ground lies in morality and personal transformation. In a sense, the biblical

perspective, as presented in Ecclesiastes, emphasizes the importance of faith, morality, and the

purpose of God in the human journey.

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Reference

Augustine, S. (1838). The Confessions of S. Augustine (Vol. 1). JH Parker.

Cantor, P. A. (2004). Shakespeare: Hamlet. Cambridge University Press.

Kirkpatrick, R. (2004). Dante: The divine comedy. Cambridge University Press.

Schein, S. L. (Ed.). (2022). Homer: Iliad Book I. Cambridge University Press.