OCR A-Level Classical Civilisation - World of the Hero
Key Themes with varied illustrations and solutions
Iliad - Women - CORRECT ANSWERS-Women are used as prizes of war (geras), as well as for
mourning, slavery, and religious purposes, fulfilling the roles of mothers. They are also blamed for
starting the war, and provide the men with something to fight over. As mothers and wives, they
have little influence over the actions of their male relatives.
Iliad - War - CORRECT ANSWERS-War is a destructive force for individuals and on a larger scale, leading
to many deaths, and yet is also a place where glory (kleos) and honour (time) may be won.
Iliad - The Focus of the Epic - CORRECT ANSWERS-The epic begins and ends with Achilles' rage, which is
one of the central themes. This means that he is a central figure to the story, as Hector's death comes as
a direct result of this uncontrollable anger.
Iliad - Mercy - CORRECT ANSWERS-Many characters, and the majority of the heroes in battle, lack mercy.
Not an archetypal quality of a Homeric hero, it is not needed to facilitate honourable warfare. Dolon's
death is an example of brutality which highlights that the archetypes of Homeric heroes differ from
those of Roman heroes, who are expected to adhere to the four key Augustan values.
Iliad - Love and Family - CORRECT ANSWERS-Love- familial, romantic, platonic, and paternal- is a force
which does not ever triumph over the desire for glory. It is destroyed by war, and is never a reason by
which any hero may be persuaded to stay at home rather than seeking glory.
Iliad - Fury and Madness - CORRECT ANSWERS-Rage is a common characteristic which heroes exhibit in
the epic, especially in battle, which leads to great slaughter, especially when Achilles asks Thetis to kill
the Greeks as a form of revenge. In a sense, it is one of the central themes, seeing as Achilles' rage
dominates the epic.
Iliad - Piety - CORRECT ANSWERS-Piety and dedication to the gods is not a large part of this epic. It is
present at times when Achilles listens to Athene and does not kill Agamemnon, but overall, characters
are not overly concerned with it, seeing as it is not part of the Homeric heroic archetype.
Key Themes with varied illustrations and solutions
Iliad - Women - CORRECT ANSWERS-Women are used as prizes of war (geras), as well as for
mourning, slavery, and religious purposes, fulfilling the roles of mothers. They are also blamed for
starting the war, and provide the men with something to fight over. As mothers and wives, they
have little influence over the actions of their male relatives.
Iliad - War - CORRECT ANSWERS-War is a destructive force for individuals and on a larger scale, leading
to many deaths, and yet is also a place where glory (kleos) and honour (time) may be won.
Iliad - The Focus of the Epic - CORRECT ANSWERS-The epic begins and ends with Achilles' rage, which is
one of the central themes. This means that he is a central figure to the story, as Hector's death comes as
a direct result of this uncontrollable anger.
Iliad - Mercy - CORRECT ANSWERS-Many characters, and the majority of the heroes in battle, lack mercy.
Not an archetypal quality of a Homeric hero, it is not needed to facilitate honourable warfare. Dolon's
death is an example of brutality which highlights that the archetypes of Homeric heroes differ from
those of Roman heroes, who are expected to adhere to the four key Augustan values.
Iliad - Love and Family - CORRECT ANSWERS-Love- familial, romantic, platonic, and paternal- is a force
which does not ever triumph over the desire for glory. It is destroyed by war, and is never a reason by
which any hero may be persuaded to stay at home rather than seeking glory.
Iliad - Fury and Madness - CORRECT ANSWERS-Rage is a common characteristic which heroes exhibit in
the epic, especially in battle, which leads to great slaughter, especially when Achilles asks Thetis to kill
the Greeks as a form of revenge. In a sense, it is one of the central themes, seeing as Achilles' rage
dominates the epic.
Iliad - Piety - CORRECT ANSWERS-Piety and dedication to the gods is not a large part of this epic. It is
present at times when Achilles listens to Athene and does not kill Agamemnon, but overall, characters
are not overly concerned with it, seeing as it is not part of the Homeric heroic archetype.
