Emma Richey - Van Nortwick on The Iliad Class Discussion (2/24)

 In Van Nortwick’s analysis of Achilles, he describes the god’s love as erotic. During our classroom discussion, we dove into the four main Greek words for love: 


  1. Eros: erotic love

  2. Phileo: brotherly love; friendship

  3. Storge: familial love

  4. Agape: unconditional love by will; total self-giving without question


Van Nortwick gave a great example of eros: Achilles' intense love that is primarily centered on Patroclus. The portrayed connection is assumed to be a profound romantic or sexual relationship between two men, which was seen as erotic during that time.


Phileo, storge, and agape are types of love that I have seen in my own life. To start, phileo is encompassed by my affection towards my Girl Scout troop. I was a Girl Scout from first grade until my senior year of high school, and I had truly grown up with the girls in my troop. In engaging in various service projects, camping trips, and bonding experiences, we built strong connections and friendships—ones that we will cherish forever.


For storage, I would say that I find this love the most in my relationship with my twin sister Katelyn. Storge is generally categorized as a natural and instinctual affection for a family member, and with Katelyn, she is the one family member that truly knows me the best. Furthermore, our relationship has a natural flow where no matter the situation, we can rely on each other and our sisterhood for support when we feel excited, sad, or even in need of a laugh.


Finally, agape is encompassed in the love I feel from Jesus. As a Christian, I believe that I was created by love, for love, and to love. First, the Lord created me out of His own love for me—cherishing my life even before I was born. I was also created for love because since Jesus loves me, I am thus able to love Him. Lastly, Jesus' example of how He loves others, allows me to use agape as a reference of how I can love others in a Christ-like way.

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