Reflection: Troy

Reflection: Troy

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

T

he movie “Troy” is filled with many hints of ideas. It is not just a historical movie. It is a movie of love and revenge. It is more than an epic of the hero Achilles; it is also a story of wisdom contrasted with folly. There are so many philosophies to be acquired from this film, such as:

1.      Not all lovable are to be loved.

This principle is manifested by Prince Paris of Troy. When Paris took away Queen Helen of Sparta because of infatuation rather than love, the world’s greatest war was fueled and flamed. Alliances are broken and controversies arisen, all because of the foolishness Prince Paris have done by adulterating with King Menelaus’ wife.

2.      The enemy of one is enemy of all

This principle is manifested by King Menelaus. Because of his wrath upon the Trojan Prince, he asked the Mycenaean king Agamemnon to join him in his cause to make revenge.

3.      Kingdoms thirst for power

This principle is manifested by King Agamemnon. King Agamemnon’s true reason why he agreed to his brother Menelaus’ request to fight the Trojans is because he wants to extend his power to Troy so that he would be able to control the Aegean region.

4.      Warriors thirst for glory

This principle is manifested by Achilles. Achilles, the great warrior of the Myrmidons, joined the Trojan War not because he wants to help Agamemnon, but because he wants his name to be known upon all generations.

5.      Fear is as important as courage

The Greeks must move forward and attack bravely no matter how the Trojans were armed and prepared for battle, but there are times when they must turn back and run for their lives. Fear is different from cowardice. It’s good to be afraid when one knows he can’t do something. It’s not good to be cowardly when one can do something, but is ashamed of doing it.

6.      Myths are just myths

The deities of Troy didn’t really win nor lose the fight. It’s the priests and advisors’ assumptions and belief in superstitions that made Troy vulnerable. Sometimes, one must be practical in order to be successful, which did not happen when King Priam assented to his committee rather than to his wise and rational sons.

7.      Wisdom is mightier than strength

This principle is manifested by King Odysseus. The wise plan of Greece’s wisest king overcame the strong walls of the East’s strongest nation. If it wasn’t for Odysseus’ idea, Greece would have suffered loss and despondency.

8.      Values of Keeping Heirlooms

The sword of Troy is the mark of the continuity of the Trojan people’s existence. It’s a good thing Prince Paris passed it on Aeneas before attempting to fight the Greeks.

9.      Loyalty is the most important aspect of service

This principle is manifested by Eudorus, the faithful servant of Achilles. Eudorus, even though a trivial character in the story, is the most beautiful example of a loyal friend and companion. Achilles treasured this general of the Myrmidons, and before he died, he entrusted him to take authority over his people.

10. The high tide and the low tide of life

Once a friend; now the opponent. Once a kingdom; now a tribe.  Once the greatest; now the weakest. Once a body; now a dust. Life has no assurance on the perspective of the story. It easily goes from one way to another, and back again. This principle is manifested by everyone. Not one person is an exemption to the peculiarity of life.

Amidst all of the bloodshed, gore, and sexual explicitness shown by the film, the essence of these principles remains. The life story of Hector, Achilles, Paris, Helen, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Priam, Briseis, and a lot others echoes the sound of history, leaving the modern people their legacies, and showing their mistakes so that we would not repeat them. Like these people, every person can make his name memorable to all generations by emulating the noble deeds of the world’s greatest heroes. Every person should not die leaving his name on the sand, washed away by the waves of the sea. We should make our lives respectable on the sight of the people that, like the tide of life, come and go upon us.