![]() ![]() Agamemnon is inappropriately called the “King of Kings.” People put coins on the eyes of the dead-payment for the boatman who supposedly transports the deceased across the river Styx and into paradise. Hector wonders whether Apollo cares about their plight since the sun god did nothing when the temple was attacked. Priam is dedicated to worshiping and appealing to Apollo, and heeds the advice of a soothsayer. He also claims that “the gods envy us” because only mortals can truly enjoy and appreciate life due to its impermanence. Even so, he puts little stock in religion, desecrating the temple of Apollo by cutting the head off a statue. The gods are said to favor Achilles, who is part human, part god himself. ![]() And the code is simple honor the gods, love your woman and defend your country.” If these ancients had embraced the God of Abraham instead of diverse mythological concoctions, some of their scripted credos would have been terrific, such as Hector’s pep talk to his troops: “I have always lived by a code. Polytheism rules, with frequent references to “the gods” of Greek mythology (Apollo, Poseidon, Aries, etc.) and their divine will. Although the script vastly oversimplifies its case against war, lines challenge ivory tower leaders driven solely by ego (“Imagine a king who fights his own battles,” “War is young men dying and old men talking,” “Don’t waste your life following some fool’s orders”). And despite the bloodlust onscreen, an awful lot of down-time dialogue wags a finger at warmongers, stressing the futility and tragedy of military conflict. Agamemnon is vilified for being a greedy, power-hungry misogynist. Lust and infidelity on the part of Paris and Helen throw nations into bloody conflict, costing countless lives. In a sense, certain characters’ flaws provide lessons as well. Odysseus points out, “Sometimes you have to serve in order to lead.” Helen assures him she doesn’t want a military hero, but a man she can grow old with. He later shows courage and leadership when Troy’s defenses are compromised. To avoid full-scale war, Paris volunteers to face Menelaus mano a mano. Priam appeals to Achilles for the body of a fallen son (“Even enemies can show respect”), and receives mercy and a truce. He sportingly lets the Greeks “collect their dead” following a skirmish, even though they probably wouldn’t extend him the same courtesy.Īchilles intervenes on behalf of a girl about to be abused by thugs. ![]() He also models leadership in his family, and honor in battle. He lectures Paris on the topics of love and war. He respects his father and sticks up for his brother, even when their mistakes put him in difficult situations. He’s a fighter and family man, and one of the few characters in the film we can root for without hesitation. Hector and Achilles are the film’s opposing alpha males, each with lots of primitive firepower behind them.Īs heir to the Trojan throne, Hector is wise, brave and concerned for the welfare of his people. He’s a levelheaded fighter who understands politics, true leadership and is poised to assume the throne of his aging father, King Priam. The other key player in this violent soap opera is Paris’ noble older brother, Hector. But to do the job, he must get past Troy’s impenetrable walls with the help of Achilles, a mercenary killing machine who shows little loyalty to royalty. As for the greedy Agamemnon, he suddenly has an excuse to commission all of the Greek tribes to set sail for Troy and attack an enemy he’s had his eye on for a long time.Ĭonquering Troy would give Agamemnon a stranglehold on the Aegean Sea and expand his empire. ![]() Getting Helen back is a matter of pride for Menelaus (he plans to kill her once he gets her home). This supreme insult sends Menelaus to rally the support of his evil brother Agamemnon, King of the Mycenaeans. Inspired by Homer’s epic The Iliad, this $200 million film (if you add production and domestic marketing costs) kicks into gear when Paris, a pretty-boy Prince of Troy, falls for the Queen of Sparta and whisks Helen away from her dastardly husband, King Menelaus. ![]()
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