Is Hermes a Good Character in the Iliad?

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In the epic poem “The Iliad,” Hermes is a fascinating character who plays an important role in the story. He is one of the gods on Mount Olympus, and he serves as a messenger for Zeus, the king of the gods.

But is Hermes a good character in “The Iliad”? Let’s take a closer look.

Hermes’s Role in “The Iliad”

Hermes appears several times throughout “The Iliad.” In Book 24, he helps guide Priam, the king of Troy, to Achilles’ tent so that Priam can beg for the body of his son Hector. Hermes also helps guide Hector’s spirit to the underworld after he is killed by Achilles.

The Good

One could argue that Hermes is a good character in “The Iliad.” After all, he helps guide Priam to Achilles’ tent and ensures that Hector’s spirit makes it safely to the underworld. These actions show that Hermes has compassion and empathy for mortals.

Additionally, Hermes serves as a messenger for Zeus, which means he plays an important role in communication between the gods. This could be seen as a positive attribute because it shows that Hermes is reliable and trustworthy.

The Not-So-Good

On the other hand, some might argue that Hermes isn’t such a good character in “The Iliad.” For one thing, he is often portrayed as mischievous and deceitful. In Book 5, he helps Aphrodite steal Helen away from Menelaus by distracting her husband with an illusion.

Furthermore, while Hermes does help mortals like Priam and Hector, it’s important to remember that he only does so because it’s part of his duties as a messenger for Zeus. He isn’t necessarily acting out of kindness or compassion; rather, he’s simply following orders.

Conclusion

So, is Hermes a good character in “The Iliad”? The answer isn’t clear-cut.

While he does exhibit some positive qualities like compassion and reliability, he also has a mischievous and deceptive side. Ultimately, it’s up to each reader to decide for themselves whether they view Hermes as a good or bad character.

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