Themes and patterns

 A few key themes are shown in both the film Troy and the poem, The Iliad. In Troy the main themes that are shown are the themes, love and the idea that death is glory. In the poem, The Iliad, the major theme that is shown is the Greek concept of Kleos. This concept of Kleos is when someone earns Kleos through great deeds in his life. This is often achieved through death. An example of Kleos is during the famous conversation between Hector and Andromache where Andromache tells Hector not to go onto the battlefield, however, Hector knows that fighting in the front lines is the only means to "winning my father great glory." (Book 6, Lines 27-29) This is similar in the film as Hector refuses to stay stating he must fight for his country.

 In the film, the major theme is the theme of love. In particular, the major idea behind the theme of love is that love transcends all. Paris and Helen are the two major characters to exhibit this idea as their forbidden love is the instigator to the battle of Troy. In the film, Paris and Helen are shown to live in their own world, not caring for the consequences. This ignorance to the consequences gives way to the beginning of the battle of Troy. Even while the battle rages on Paris and Helen overcome all the odds, and eventually at the end of the film, the two of them escape the ruined city of Troy, saved by their love. This greatly contrasts the poem, The Iliad as Helen did not escape the city of Troy with Paris, but was instead taken back by Menelaus. This shows how much Wolfgang Petersen changes a major point in the story to cater for the drama and romance for the modern audience. In this case love really does transcend all, as the whole plot point of the film is not true to the poem. The second theme in the film is the idea that death is glory. This relates to the major theme in The Iliad, as the concept of Kleos is also related to the idea that death is glory. Throughout the film, Achilles is shown to be wanting the ultimate glory on the battlefield. Achilles believes that utlimate glory is achieved through his eventual death. In the poem Achilles is torn between chosing fame through his homecoming from a successful battle and achieving fame and glory then and there on the battle field. "Two fates bear me on to the day of death. If I hold out here and I lay siege to Troy My journey home is gone, but my glory never dies. If I voyage back to the fatherland I love, My pride, my glory dies... True, but the life that's left me will be long, The stroke of death will not come on me quickly." (Book 9, Lines 499-505) This shows how he wishes to achieve tru glory on the battlefield, and die with his name 'engraved' into history instead of leaving for home and only gaining a short lived glory.The choices Achilles is lead to make a decision upon is two more ideas of glory and fame in Greek society. The fame achieved through a persons homecoming after a victorious battle is known as Nostos. The other idea takes the concept of Kleos and narrows it down to just one way to obtain absolute fame and glory. This idea is called Kleos Aphthiton. This concept details how one can achieve true immortality through the glory and fame brought upon by his actions. Kleos Aphthiton surpasses even death and allows the hero to live on, throughout the ages. Thus the name Kleos Aphthiton which means literally, fame imperishable. The concept of Kleos Aphthiton is shown in great lengths through the character of Achilles, as he wishes to gain ultimate glory. This is also reflected in the film, when Achilles shouts out to his fellow comrades, "Myrmidons! My brothers of the sword! I would rather fight beside you than any army of thousands! Let no man forget how menacing we are, we are lions! Do you know what's waiting beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours!" This quote by Achilles, shows how in the movie, Achilles is also following the concept of Kleos Aphthiton as he wishes to seize immortality through death on the battlefield as Achilles and his Myrmidons are sent as the front line at the beginning of the battle in the movie.

 The concept of Kleos which is prominent in the poem is also featured in the film, although not so much as the movie. Although the movie does not contain these ancient Greek concepts as much, the film does have it's own prominent themes such as love. This is due to the difference in audiences, as the modern audience prefers drama over philosophical themes.