Priam's Character in Homer's "The Iliad"

""The Iliad"" written by Homer around 725BC, is considered one of the first works of Western literature. It not only engages in the depiction of the Trojan War but also raises other critical issues like the ravages of war, human mortality and suffering and illustrates the debate over freewill verses predestination. It is part of the oral tradition of literature that lends it a poetic, sensuous appeal and allows for lending grandeur to the genre of the epic of which it is a seminal part.

The character of Priam, as one old chieftain of Troy is introduced to the readers in Book 3 entitled 'A duel and the Trojan view of the Greeks'. He comes across as a wise and experienced father-figure, whose experience speaks for him. He is shown talking to Helen wherein he states that he does not hold her responsible for the war ""with all its tears"" but the gods. ""The Iliad"" though deeply penetrates into the warrior culture of the Greco-Trojan conflict, elevating the virtues of heroism and glory on the battlefield but it also critically engages with the intrinsic subtext of the destruction it brings forth. Homer understands and elucidates the importance of familial bonding through the figures of Priam, Hecabe and Andromache. Priam is shown to have lost fifty sons in the battle and he himself wishes to die a peaceful death away from the martial world of war. Presumably his age has inevitably taught him the value of life and the futile nature of warfare. He even goes to the extent of warning Hector, his dearest son and tries to dissuade him from fighting Achilles alone. The reasons he sites clearly elevate the longevity of life over eternal fame. But when Hector refuses to retreat, he curses his life stating that he has only lived to witness his daughters being raped, towns being plundered or babies being hurled away into battle.

Peter Jones avers that "" war in ""The Iliad"" has become a form of life itself and that victory for Homeric heroes lies in the attainment of 'kleos' or glory that stays with you after your life as well."" Like Hector even Achilles chooses the same fate. Figures like Priam function in ""The Iliad"" to broaden the horizon of the meta-narrative of war and include in it thematic diversity. Homer consciously uses simplistic styling propelling a perfectly simple narrative beginning in media res that is of the sack of Ilium. He has historiographically narrated the events not precluding the microcosm of the individual psyche of characters. He has not created fighting machines but mortal heroes of flesh and blood. Playing a major role in the last section of ""The Iliad"", Priam is seen lamenting the death of Hector and anxious to claim his body which is being ill-treated by Achilles, of the enemy camp. On Zeus' advice, he goes to Achilles' hut with a ransom of twelve white sheets, cauldrons of gold, copper in order to appease him and soothe his anger, persuading him to relent. The conversation between him and and Achilles includes psychological underpinnings as well. Since Achilles states that gods have woven grief into mortals' lives but they themselves do not care. He rebukes the immortals asking them to cite reasons for the destiny of his son even after his death that never went wrong in offering libations to them.

This is another thematic undercurrent raised by Priam clearly stating that mortals constantly need to appease gods and goddesses offering them food and wine, richly supplied and in good frequency. This shows a structured hierarchy between the mortals and the immortals which should be maintained at all costs, with the mortals always having to supplicate. The question raised by Priam therefore negotiates with the truth value of this arrangement and interrogates its working. Next. he appeals to Achilles reminding him of his own father who can at least cherish the fact that his son is alive, thus playing on Achilles' emotions closest to his heart. All that Priam desires is a decent burial ceremony for his mighty son, godlike Hector after having wept to his heart's content. Achilles gives his consent and Priam has his share of lamentation and tears. His fatherly affection reaches its zenith when he wishes that some other son of his had died in place of Hector. Thus Priam's character, though is simplistically etched out provides a lot of vital information about the content of the narrative other than its macrocosmic shell. It delves deep into the fact that death brings limitless sorrows to a person's family and that grief is insurmountable, often oblivious to the prowess and glory that the person has attained in his lifetime.

Peter Jones argues that ""The Iliad is characterized by a tight economy of action and breadth of vision"" Thus it can be shown with alacrity that human relationships are not delineated but showcased in great detail in ""The Iliad"" often evoking sympathy for its majestic characters. The omniscient narrator informs the readers about the superficial action as well as the intricate sentiments of its characters are it mortals or the immortals. The nature of family as well as human equation with the divine are juxtaposed bringing about its impact in the situations and lives of all alike. Homer thus effortlessly encompasses harsh descriptions of the battlefield and tender lyric poetry in his composition of his phenomenal epic of ""The Iliad"" as we know today arousing all our passions simultaneously in our engagement with it.