Divine Intervention: Gods' Impact on the Trojan War

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Book Four of The Iliad demonstrates the importance of the gods in the events of the Trojan War, during the quarrel between Hera and Zeus and the aftermath of this argument. The importance of this scene, approximately lines 60 through 90 of Book Four, is that it clearly establishes the fact that the gods influence and meddle with the events and the course of the war. This particular passage illustrates the consequences which the plotting of the gods causes both the Greeks and the Trojans, as Hera’s plotting and hatred of the Trojans results in the violation of an oath, in order to ensure the destruction of the Trojans. Prior to the quarrel between Hera and Zeus, Menelaus and Paris duel in single-combat, the winner of which would win Helen as well as …show more content…

Hera despises the Trojans, and in order to bring suffering and pain upon the Trojans she offers Zeus the destruction of her most beloved cities. Hera states, “the three cities that I love best of all are Argos and Sparta, Mycenae with streets as broad as Troy’s. Raze them, whenever they stir the hatred in your heart” (4.60-62). This goddess offers the destruction of these cities along with their people in order to obtain Zeus’ permission to bring misery to the city of Troy, saying that “I will never rise in their defense” (4.63). Such an action demonstrates the cruelty of the gods, not caring about the harm they are bringing to the mortals as long as they are satisfying their desires. Hera’s hatred for the Trojans leads her to bring more suffering not only to the Trojans, but also to her beloved Greeks forcing the Trojans to break their oath results in the continuation of the Trojan War. Therefore, the interference of the gods is an important aspect of The Iliad, demonstrating to the reader the personality of the gods as well as showing that the meddling of the gods conducts the course of the Trojan

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