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I'm taking humanities courses that are rooted in war and as such I have to read a lit about war and write about all of its aspects. As an assignment I have to write an essay (more like a blog, 300-500words, not strictly formal) about a picture or artwork realating to war, bonus points if I can relate it to the Iliad in some way.

Prompt is: Explain what lens you feel the image is using to portray or define war. Warriors in physical combat? Political Disputes? Strategy and Tactics? Technological Prowess? Physical/Emotional suffering? National/Ethnic pride? Propaganda? Then discuss what you feel is the purpose of this image. What does it want the viewer to think or feel about war?

In relating to the Iliad and taking 40k into consideration, really any of the examples can be relevant from Pride and Honor to Strategy and prowess.

Got any good pictures?

Go with the classics



Take the angle of "A Brotherhood against all the odds" which is what most militaries try and build recruits into - that you will literally lay your life down for your brother in arms.

That was quick. Great piece of art. Definitely up there

I've always loved this photo, I think it really illustrates what your every day guardsman goes through. Months of training perhaps years on a ship traveling to be thrown on the ground and essentially immediately cut to pieces.

Nothing here tells us the guardsman will lose.

 Bobthehero wrote:
Nothing here tells us the guardsman will lose.

That is a very good point, yes it is possible he will survive, but it's also possible that he is about to get cut to pieces and die very quickly only to be replaced by more troops.

It seems like something used as propoganda much like the first. The first shows elite warriors turtled up to die for one another in a courageous way while the other shows more of the common man being capable of heroics.

First let's you know you're protected by a force without fear.. thesecond inspires you to join

 Ratius wrote:
Go with the classics



Take the angle of "A Brotherhood against all the odds" which is what most militaries try and build recruits into - that you will literally lay your life down for your brother in arms.

This is perhaps the one art work that I think of when someone says 40k

I'd say go with some of the Blanche art, it is incredibly 40k feeling and has a very interesting and Unique style to it.

 Bobthehero wrote:
Nothing here tells us the guardsman will lose.

I'd say the fact that he's charging a foe larger and stronger than himself and better equipped for CC certainly tells us something.

He's got the first blow in, for sure, might actually be enough, especially if shoots at the Ork while his bayonet is lodged in said Ork

I'd say go with some of the Blanche art, it is incredibly 40k feeling and has a very interesting and Unique style to it.

Yea but blanche is heavily stylised - I actually like his work but in the context of the OP - i.e. War is"X - define it through a "lens"" he dosent cut it as well imho

Some ideas...

^

Yes.

There are some interesting things to write about the evolution in art style of the official brand. Or the diversity of fan art

Reading your essay requirements, I'm wondering if maybe you are trying to shoe-horn your hobby into it, rather than it being the best angle to take. I may well be wrong and I'm not trying to be condescending, I just know for me I'd be concerned with the number of words I'd have to use contextualizing the image, and overcoming the immediate commercial purpose of the image (all of which might be necessary, but wouldn't be answering the question).

That said, if you do go for it, post the final essay on the thread, would be interesting to read.

Glorification of war in popular culture could be an angle. Just fall don't into the pit hole of explaining the whole GW hobby thing or "the setting" in your 500 words. Thats a waste of words

Unfortunately I also agree with JamesY.
You're better off using an opportunity like this to pick something less familiar that still interests and challenges you and makes you learn something new.
That's kind of the point of studying.
It's not a huge word count (your op is 150 approx) so why not do the Warhammer version as well for your/our personal enjoyment.
You could write something a little larger and more involved comparing and contrasting fantasy/sci-fi depictions of war with real life. It'd be an interesting read.

I vote for the big E facing Horus who is stood over the corpse of Sanguinius. Very evocative piece which shows the E's inner conflict over whether his favorite son is beyond redemption.

Hey, what do I know about art - I am a lawyer.

Well some of the death korps of krieg art could do well to display the horrors of war

The whole "Life is Cheap so we can drown them in bodies" angle sounds like it could work...especially for the regular rank and file of guardsmen. You're average joes, thrown into the meat grinder for no real reason than just to take the next bullet so maybe the dude behind him can get a few more feet before he goes down.

 Bobthehero wrote:
Nothing here tells us the guardsman will lose.

The Ork has his axe raised for a downward strike the instant the Guardsmen gets in range. The Guardsmen's bayonet is too short to mortally wound the Ork in any efficient manner, and is not even raised for a strike. He's dead as a dodo-bird in a second or two.

Also, a humanities college course that only requires 500 words? What madness is this o.0

There are some good IG pieces that show the mayhem:



Although, I like the various artworks that show armies on parade. Dressed up all neat and tidy when they're about to be thrown into a meatgrinder and ruin that parade shine.

What are the best topics for college essays?

^threadomancy and why it occurs?

Welcome to the forum and all, but that's a deep dive.

Indeed, locking due to severe necromancy.