Interdisciplinary analysis on the Iliad: character traits and their correlations with modern Western perceptions of strength and weakness

Abstract

The myths and culture of Ancient Greece have shaped, and continually shape, many aspects of the modern Western world. Therefore, it may also affect Western ideals of strength and weakness. Across the board, modernly and historically, Western societies tend to celebrate strength over weakness—strengths are meant to be celebrated and enriched, and weaknesses are meant to be minimized and overcome. If behaviors are misaligned with these sociocultural perceptions, the resulting discomfort—within the individual and others—may incite disturbances and conflicts. Furthermore, individuals tend to use these expectations and representations to shape their sense of self, including those present in entertainment media. The Iliad is an example of entertainment which was consumed in Ancient Greece and in the modern day, making it a relevant focal point of analysis. Using character traits and related plot progression, four sub-traits of strength and four sub-traits of weakness were extracted. When characters displayed sub-traits of strength, their actions were predominantly rewarded. Similarly, when characters displayed sub-traits of weakness, their actions were predominantly punished. These sub-traits, and textual context thereof, were individually compared against relevant, modern research findings on Western societal perceptions of strengths and weaknesses. All eight sub-traits experienced correlations with the reviewed research. Overall, textual evidence aligned with the sociocultural beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and expectations found in the reviewed research on Western society—strengths were favored, weaknesses were unfavored, and correction is insighted when social expectations are broken. This analysis can be used to identify how historical cultures may correlate with modern ideals, and thus, how individuals may associate with representations in stories via those ideals. Findings are limited to correlational analysis of external research, as no experiments were conducted. Findings are, also, constrained to character traits, sub-traits, and related plot progressions in the Iliad. No other Greek poems, mythos, or literature were used in analysis.