A Twist on a Myth

Most people have heard of, if not read during their schooling career, The Iliad by Homer. Even those who haven’t actually read it know the story. There may be some spoilers if you don’t know the story. The Greek myth is about the great Trojan War being started by Paris the prince of Troy stealing the most beautiful girl in the world Helen of Sparta from Menelaus (Though she was actually a prize for him from Aphrodite). In 2004, this epic tale hit the big screen and while a great film was a loose interpretation.

The events leading up to Paris (Orlando Bloom) obtaining Helen is left out of the movie. The reason this was probably omitted was because for the most part the Gods were left out of the film adaption, where as in Homer’s story they were mixed all throughout it. However whether the background was included the film yielded the same result, Helen ran away with Paris and the Trojan War began.

The tension between the Achilles (Brad Pitt) and King Agamemnon is changed a little as well. In the film Achilles doesn’t want to fight for him merely because he is a greedy king fighting only for his own benefit. In the book the conflict between the two over Briseis starts before the war instead of during.

The fight between Paris and Menelaus is quite different as well. In the film Paris backs away in fear of death abandoning his honor for love. Hector (Eric Bana) then kills Menelaus saving Paris and Helen is relieved. In the book, however, Paris is saved by Aphrodite by being lifted inside the walls of Troy leaving Menelaus alive. Helen is angered by Paris’ lack of bravery and honor.


The Prince Hector, Patroclus, and Achilles relationship is thank goodness the same and very well done except… (I know there is always an exception) in the book Hector does get scared and runs away from his battle with Achilles. In the film he shows no cowardice and dies with Honor. The Iliad ends following the funeral for Hector that Achilles allowed King Priam, Hector’s Father, to complete (All warfare was halted). The movie doesn’t end in this fashion. They continue on going clear through the Trojan horse and Troy’s fall. In this ending there are still differences from the classic mythology.

Achilles is not inside the Trojan horse when it goes inside Troy as depicted in the film. Achilles dies long before this right after the death of Hector. Though the way he dies is the same in both versions. Paris doesn’t escape with Helen as the movie shows, I’ll leave it at that and Agamemnon does not die.

Now I recommend both versions, The Iliad, because well it’s a classic and everyone should read it. Besides Greek Mythology is fun and a lot of things we say and reference today relate back to these tales. So, why not? Troy I recommend because while it is quite different from the original myth, it’s a very well made movie with incredible acting. So despite the differences it is enjoyable.

Here is the Trailer :) :



Enjoy!!

(I do not take credit for any of the videos or photos in this post)

Opinion Article

HED: A Desperate Need for Attention
DEK: Westboro Baptist Church’s harsh and controversial messages go too far.
BYLINE: Courtney Colley
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The Westboro Baptist Church, located in Topeka, Kansas is a congregation that travels all over the country to various events such as concerts and even funerals, picketing and voicing their extreme opinions. This group protests things like Jews, homosexuality, Obama (claiming he is the anti-christ), remarriage after divorce and many other things led by Fred Phelps. They hold offensive signs that say things such as “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” “God Hates America,” “The Jews Killed Jesus” and many others targeting the numerous minority groups previously mentioned.

These sorts of people are the reason that many have such a strong dislike of religion. Westboro preaches hatred and claims their corrupt ideas to be the word of God. They clearly just have a desperate need for attention. They dress up in their “God hates America” T-shirts, wave their hateful signs, walk all over the American flag and go to largely populated areas to do so. They claim that they are non-violent, but there are more ways to be violent than physically. Their signs and words verbally attack people and that can often be more wounding than physical violence.

Freedom of speech gives them the right to say what they want but the places they choose to voice their opinion at can be insensitive and not appropriate. I have had a few encounters with this group due to one of my friends wanting to go to many of their pickets to photograph for a project. Some of the places I saw them at were a Justin Beiber concert and later a Lady Gaga concert. Lady Gaga wasn’t so bad, she is an adult with many adults attending her concert. She even organized a peaceful anti-protest. Beiber, however, is only 16 years old. He is just a kid, as were the majority of those going to his concert. The crowd was full of kids under the age of 10 who had to see the hateful messages Westboro was flaunting. That is no message that kids should be subjected too. I stood on the sidewalk and heard the questions these little kids were asking their parents, questions that should never be in an innocent child’s mind. The parents were infuriated as they had every right to be.

Westboro’s presence at funerals also should not happen. A funeral is a time for a family to mourn their loved one they lost and to say goodbye. Westboro picketing these funerals sporting signs implying that they are glad the person is dead (and probably in hell) is terrible. No one should belittle or taint the importance of a funeral for family and friends, whether someone dislikes the deceased or not. Westboro members don’t even know these people they are attacking, and that just doesn’t seem right. If they feel it necessary to voice their hatred they should at least show respect and pick more appropriate places to do so, because mourners and friends should not be subjected to their corrupt ideas of religion. The best response that viewers can have would be to voice their opinion peacefully as well. People often get angry when viewing Westboro’s pickets but a stronger defense rather than yelling would be to stage a peaceful anti-protest and discuss views with them calmly. Other than that there isn’t much to be done besides making certain that one voices an opinion of acceptance of all minorities and not hatred towards them.