Conflicts Between Fathers and Women in the Lives of Warriors

The respect that a father receives as head of the family is obvious in the Iliad. Not only is the father the primary concern in the Iliad, but also the paternal expectations are the basis for the heroic code. However, women in the Iliad are a contradiction to the fathers in the beliefs that the heroic code is not the most important aspect of the warriors' lives. The warrior comes after the king in the …

…in the Iliad, since it influences the obtaining of honor. The women, on the other hand, would rather a man be without honor and live than die with life forever by fame. The paternal influence is apparent through every action the heroes make, that is, if the women cannot stop them. It can be said, then, that their fathers shape true warriors, ones that adhere to the code, while women influenced the others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**