130 the Iliad Essay Topics & Paper Examples

🏆 Best Essay Topics on Iliad

1. Homer’s Portrayal of the Gods in The Iliad
2. Greek Concept of the “Therapon” in the “Iliad” by Homer
3. Xenia Hospitality in Iliad and Odyssey by Homer
4. Hero’s Journey: A Comparison of The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and The Odyssey
5. Achilles’ Pride and Hubris in Homer’s “The Iliad”
6. Comparison: The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad
7. God’s Anthropomorphism and Divinity in Homer’s Poem “Iliad”

👍 Good Iliad Research Topics & Essay Examples

1. “The Iliad” as a Primary Source for Historians

   “The Iliad” reflects the basic features of the ancient society, including the ways they made war and peace, the way they traded, and the way they interacted.
2. Phoenix’s Speech in Book 9th of the Iliad

   The long speech of the phoenix in the ninth book of the Iliad is an important section in the vital subject of the poem. It is an ethical statement, and a minimum share of critical scrutiny is given in its opening part.
3. Comparing Achilles and Hector in the Iliad

   Achilles is ruled by his uncontrollable passions which can be seen in his headstrong ways. But, Hector is motivated by his duty consciousness and this proves him as a noble leader.
4. Agamemnon in the Iliad: Character Analysis

   Pride, ego, high self-esteem are all harbingers of dissatisfaction and clashes. In the classic Iliad by Homer, Agamemnon is shown to be a person with high of all of these.
5. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey — Comparison & Critique

   The stories of both have been repeated countless times and used in cultural references and in making big budget movies which speaks of their pervasive affect.
6. Heroic Code in Homer’s Iliad

   Homer’s Iliad is somewhat unique among the ancient tales because of its tendency to include human features in its heroes.
7. Epic Elements in “The Iliad” Poem by Homer

   The epic poem “The Iliad” by Homer tells the story of Achilles, who fights on the side of the Achaeans in the Trojan War.
8. The Judgment of Paris in The Iliad: Analysis

   Numerous references present the work's characteristics, making it a popular research subject in cultural studies to Greek legends.
9. Heroine Analysis: Helen and Penelope in “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey”

   The story of Helen and Penelope in both works by Homer display different destinies of two most eminent heroines in terms of their participation in the development of actions shown in both books
10. Glory of War in the Homer’s “Iliad”

    Homer forces the characters to choose war as a way of bringing fame to them thus ensuring that their names run down to future generations.
11. Achilles and Hector in The Iliad by Homer: Comparison

    Achilles and Hector are two heroic characters in Homer’s classic Iliad and both these fearless warriors display honour and virtue in their characters.
12. Supplication in the Iliad

    In the Iliad there are many scenes of supplication. Two of the most important scenes are the supplication of Chryses to Agamemnon and the supplication of Priam to Achiles.
13. Decision Making in The Iliad

    Decision-making in ‘The Iliad’ by Homer is given by primary gods, as the most powerful creatures who could form peoples’ lives and change their destinies according to their fads.
14. The Image of Epic Heroes in Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and Beowulf

    Gilgamesh from the Epic of Gilgamesh, Achilles and Agamemnon from The Iliad, and Beowulf from the epic Beowulf may serve as the best examples of epic characters, which represent the image of a hero.
15. The Poem “The Iliad” by Homer: Hector’s Character

    The poem “The Iliad” by Homer, depicts many different leadership images, however, some of them are more vivid than others. For example, one of these characters is Hector.
16. Olympic and Funeral Games in “The Iliad” by Homer

    Homer’s “Iliad” is a full-scale artistic discovery made in the cradle of world culture — Ancient Greece. This is one of the first epic poems in the history of mankind.
17. Insignificance of the Doloneia in Homer’s “The Iliad”

    The Doloneia included a number of archaisms, which create the illusion of the ancient past, although this approach to antiquity has not been used by Homer throughout the story.
18. Greek Heroic Motifs in “The Iliad”: Agamemnon and Priam

    In this essay, the analysis of two particular heroes, Priam and Agamemnon, will be introduced to investigate their lives through the prism of Homeric heroism in “The Iliad”.
19. The Aeneid, the Iliad and the Odyssey Literature Comparison

    Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey show that humans’ actions can lead to their sufferings. The works of Homer and Virgil refer to death of warriors and innocent individuals.
20. Iliad and Odyssey: Hector and Menelaus Comparison

    The Iliad and the Odyssey have great significance due to the lyrical content they encompass. It is vital to consider two characters in these readings – Hector and Menelaus.
21. Ancient Literature. Decision Making in Iliad by Homer

    The whole epic in ‘Iliad’ comes because of the Paris declaring the wrong goddess to be the most beautiful, which became the root cause of the war between Greeks and Trojans.
22. Andromache in the Iliad: Character Analysis

    The truth, however, is that women’s roles differed from one culture to another and a blanket statement simply cannot be made.
23. The Warrior Culture in “The Iliad” by Homer

    The essay will concentrate on Paris as one of the major characters in The Illiad whose role was to portray the level in which the society valued the warrior culture.
24. Job’s God from the Bible and Greek Gods from Iliad

    n the Bible’s story about Job, God’s intervention is limited to allowing Satan destroy Job’s family and possessions, as well as Job’s physical well-being, while the Greek’s Iliad has several interventions from the Gods.
25. The Poem “The Iliad” by Homer: Achilles’ Motivation in Ransoming Hector

    In Homer’s poem “The Iliad”, Achilles ransomed Hector’s body to return it safely to his family for proper burial to prevent further anger from the gods.
26. Homer’s “Iliad”, Its Effect and Relevance

    This paper analyzes Homer’s poem and its effect as an object of comparison to modern life and values, stating that despite the apparent difference some aspects did not change.
27. The Iliad’s Oral Tradition

    There are several suggestions that perhaps Homer’s The Iliad is the product of a much longer oral tradition that Homer wrote down and passed along as an artist.
28. The Iliad and The Odyssey – Homeric Epics Analysis

    The reason that The Odyssey had to be perceived after reading The Iliad is rather ponderous argument. The poems were titled by one and the same author.
29. The Iliad by Homer: Interpretation in Art

    In the “Iliad,” Homer tells the story of how the murderer was able to repent and remember when he still had a soul. Achilles is presented in the book as evil.
30. The Concept of “Therapon” in Homer’s “Iliad”

    Homer’s poem “Iliad” uses a concept of “therapon” which is not typical for any of other writers of those times and of modern times as well.
31. “Iliad” by Homer and “A Thousand and One Nights”: Comparison

    The paper compares “Iliad” by Homer and “A Thousand and One Nights” by their main characteristics: supernatural power, theme-dream, use of symbols, and settings.
32. Achilles in The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer

    Achilles was the Achaian army’s best warrior, honorable, strong, and proud. The Iliad is about the Trojan Conflict and how Achilles’ rage and power affect the war.
33. Achilles’ Second Self in The Iliad by Homer

    When analyzing the events of Homer’s The Illiad, one can note that Achilles’ visible personality can intersect with another, which is called the second self.
34. The Myth and History Relationship in Homer’s Iliad

    The paper will examine the connection between myth and history to comprehend Greek civilization through Homeric poetry.
35. “The Iliad of Homer” by Butler

    Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, raises some existential questions pertaining to the roles of humans and gods in determining destiny.
36. Homer’s Iliad and Sophocles’ Three Theban Plays

    The article is an analysis of Homer’s “Iliad” and Sophocles’ “Three Theban Pieces” – plays proving the greatness of ancient Greek literature.
37. “The Iliad” by Homer: Using of Suppliancy

    Most ancient Greek writers used suppliancy in poetry and short stories and this became a unique identification mark amongst writers from various regions of the world.

⛵ Diverse Iliad Essay Prompts

Is the Iliad Anti-War?

It is somewhat complicated to say whether a tale as large and epic as the Iliad. Homer doesn’t definitely answer that question throughout the story. Instead, he leaves the judgment up to the audience’s discretion. The Iliad depicts events realistically, with their highs and lows, without omitting anything.

What Is Achilles Conflict?

In Homer’s Iliad, Achilles’ conflict stems primarily from his sense of pride and anger. This starts when King Agamemnon takes the young warrior’s prize. This causes Achilles to refuse to take part in the war. Throughout the story, Achilles tries to fight against his fate – however, he ultimately accepts it when he returns to fight.

Is the Iliad Fact or Fiction?

Even up to this day, there is still discourse in academia whether the Iliad is based on true events or not. In fact, Homer’s stories are some of the only records of the Trojan War. Therefore, it is hard to say whether these depictions are accurate or complete fabrications.

What Are the Most Important Themes in the Iliad?

The main questions that are explored in the Iliad are tied to the character of Achilles. His struggle, anger, and tragic journey are often the focus of the story. Throughout the epic, Homer also explores the ideas of war and conflict, reconciliation, and isolation.

Why Should Students Read the Iliad?

The Iliad is considered an immortal piece of writing for a reason, and every student should acquaint themselves with it. It is a foundational piece of Western literature that sets the idea of heroism. It also tells the story of war and its effect on mankind.

🎓 Most Interesting Iliad Research Titles

1. Achilles’ Hero Behavior Cycle in the Iliad
2. The Trojan War Between the Greeks and the Trojans in Homer’s The Iliad
3. The Iliad vs. Today’s Standards
4. Iliad Key Plot Points
5. Divine Power and ‘The Iliad’ by Homer
6. The Iliad: Understanding of Connections in The Civil Law and It’s Developing
7. Ransom: Iliad and Achilles’ Actions
8. Homer’s Iliad and Greek Art
9. God and Godlike Humans in the Bible and Iliad
10. The Iliad: The Definition of a Tragic Hero
11. Iliad and the Materialistic Views on Life
12. Free Pride and Hubris in the Iliad
13. The Main Female Characters in the Iliad and Their Relationship With the Male Characters
14. Bible God vs. Iliad Gods
15. Diomedes, the True Hero of Homer’s Iliad
16. Revenge, Justice, and Destiny – The Major Themes in Homer’s Iliad
17. How Ethical Are the Gods in the Iliad?
18. Greek Rhetoric and Argument in Homer’s Iliad
19. Achilles’ Influence and Morality in the Iliad
20. The Created and Existent Gods in Homer’s Iliad
21. Comparison Between Homer’s Iliad and Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy
22. Love Issues and Romances in the Homer’s Iliad
23. The Iliad: Tragedy and Miracle of Life and Mankind
24. The Interaction Between Fate and Choice in the Iliad
25. Epic Heroism and Values of the Iliad
26. Egypt’s Burial Rites and Homer’s ‘The Iliad’
27. Historical and Biographical Criticism of the Iliad by Homer
28. Speech Development and Characters of Andromache and Nestor in Homer’s ‘The Iliad’
29. The Kings Requests and Obedience of the Iliad
30. Aeneid and Iliad: How They Relate to the Modern World

⚔️ Iliad Essay Topics: How to Choose the Best One?

When it comes to stories as great as the Iliad, there is never a lack of ideas for an essay or literary analysis. In fact, you just might be struggling to choose between all the great topics! Here, we want to provide you with a way to choose the best title for your paper on the Iliad:

1. If you are interested in themes…
   There are plenty of fascinating themes to explore in this epic. You can talk about the wrath of Achilles or his alienation from the Greeks. Or you might want to concentrate on the depiction of the war and conflict in this story.
2. If you are interested in the characters…
   You could conduct an in-depth character analysis of one of the heroes or antagonists of the Iliad. Achilles is the focus of the story but he is not the only interesting part of the epic. Agamemnon and Diomedes also play an important part, alongside the Achaians and the Trojans.
3. If you are interested in literary devices…
   Homer’s timeless epic has plenty of different aspects to explore. From the format it was written in and its language to the symbolism that permeates the story, the Iliad is great for literary analysis.

💡 Simple Iliad Essay Ideas

1. The Rage and Love of Achilles in the Iliad, a Poem by Homer
2. The Importance and Role of Respect for Authority in The Iliad by Homer
3. The Iliad and Idea of Kleos through Warriors in Poem
4. Oedipus Rex, the Iliad, and the Odyssey and How These Works Relate to Gender
5. The Competition for Power and Ultimate Victory Throughout the Iliad
6. The Relationship Between the Gods and Mortals as Portrayed in the Iliad
7. The Relationship Between Men and Women in Homer the Iliad
8. Achilles: The Tragic Hero of the Iliad
9. The Tragic Heroes and the Effect on Humankind in Homer’s The Iliad
10. The Understanding and Concern of the Character of Telemonian Aias in Homer’s Iliad
11. The Role and Influence of the Gods on the Conflict in the Iliad by Homer
12. Achilles and Greek Heroism in Homer’s Iliad
13. Conflict Within the Mythology of the Iliad by Homer
14. The Conflict Between Hector and Achilles in the Iliad
15. The Iliad: The Glory of War vs. Family Life
16. Violence, Power, and Goals in the Hebrew Bible and the Iliad
17. Critical Thinking About Fate and Free Will in Homers’ Iliad
18. Sacred Rituality and Especially Hiketeia in the Iliad
19. Ring Composition for Nestor’s Speech in Book XI of the Iliad
20. The Battle Between Egoism and Altruism in the Iliad
21. Male Issues and the Character of a Mediocre Man in the Iliad
22. Humankind, Life, and Tragedy in ‘The Iliad’ by Homer
23. Heroism in the Iliad: Achilles vs. Hector
24. Literature and the Epic Nature of the Iliad by Homer and Gilgamesh
25. The Trojan War Myth: Fact and Fiction of Homer’s The Iliad
26. Trojan War, Homer and the Other Historical Embracements of the Iliad
27. Imagery and Epic Simile in ‘The Iliad’ by Homer
28. The Role and Importance of Achilles in the Iliad
29. Homer’s ‘The Iliad’ and Classifications of Women
30. Reasons Why the Iliad by Homer Is a Morality Play

❓ Iliad Essay Questions

1. How Does Homer Depict War in “The Iliad?”
2. How the Iliad Portray the Ideal Epic World in Terms of Ancient Greek Values?
3. How Ethical Are the Gods in the Iliad?
4. How Does the Iliad Reveal the Issues of Gods and the Fate?
5. Why Are the Gods in Bliss When the Men Go to War in Iliad?
6. What Is the Mythological Paradeigma in the Iliad?
7. What Is the Human and Divine Relationship in Homer’s Iliad?
8. How the Peloponnesian War Is Depicted in the Iliad?
9. What Is Arthut Adkins’ Perception of the Iliad?
10. Why Does the Iliad Conclude with the Funeral of Hektor
11. What Is the Function of Digressions in the Iliad?
12. What Makes Achilleus and Hektor the Heroes of the Iliad?
13. Which Warrior Best Encompasses the Idea of Kleos in the Iliad?
14. What Does the Image of a Predator Mean in the Iliad?
15. How Modern Paroemiology and the Use of Gnomai in Homer’s Iliad Can Be Linked?
16. What Is the Role of Tragic Form and Feeling in the Iliad?
17. What Is the Theme of the Mutilation of the Corpse in the Iliad?
18. How the Divine Audience and the Religion Are Illustrated in the Iliad?
19. What Is the Paradigmatic Nature of Nestor’s Speech in Iliad?
20. What Is the Relationship Between Men and Women in the Iliad?
21. What Is the Quarrel Between Agamemnon and Achilles in Iliad?
22. What Is the New Critical Edition of the Scholia to the Iliad?
23. What Are the Similarities and Differences Between the Iliad and the Odyssey?
24. What Is the Formularity of the Place Phrases of the Iliad?
25. What Is the Interaction Between Fate and Choice in the Iliad?
26. What Is the Civil Law and How It Developed Through Time in Iliad?