This
paper compares and contrasts the portrayal of the Trojan
War in Homer's epic "The Iliad," and Shakespeare's version of the Trojan War in his drama "Troilus and Cressida." The author discusses the different lessons that both authors
felt could be drawn from this war. In Shakespeare's case, his distaste for war is reflected in his opinion that the war was
fought for no reason at all and as a result of his
views has always campaigned against the "myth," as he sees it, of the Trojan War. Homer on the other hand feel felt that the War was fought for justifiable reasons and its outcome is important. These two opposing views are discussed throughout the paper.