Literature: Themes

Homer’s Iliad

Composed around the 8th Century BC, Homer’s Iliad is an epic poem centred on the Trojan War.
The primary theme is war and its human costs. It depicts soldiers’ lives, the grieving process, and the glory achieved through warfare.
The epic also explores the idea of heroism and honour, especially through the characters of Achilles and Hector.
Divine intervention is another prevalent theme, with gods taking active roles in conflicts, such as manipulating human actions.

Sophocles’ Ajax is a tragedy that reflects on the psychological impact of war on soldiers.
Ajax, considered the second-best warrior after Achilles, falls into a state of madness and grief which leads to his suicide, highlighting the theme of the psychological trauma caused by war.
Heroism is questioned, particularly when examining Ajax’s honour and prowess in battle against his subsequent fall into despair.

It is the oldest surviving play and provides a contemporary account of the Battle of Salamis.
The Persian defeat is shown as a result of overreaching hubris, resulting in divine retribution.
The play also emphasises the human cost of war by focusing on the grief and sorrow of the Persians, thereby generating sympathy for the supposed enemy.

Roman epic demonstrating the cost and necessity of war for the creation of Rome through the journey of the Trojan hero Aeneas.
Presents war as a harsh reality, but also a path for the establishment of civilisation and order.
Explores the theme of duty and patriotism through Aeneas’ dedication towards his destined role as the founder of Rome, even in the face of personal loss.