Essay Questions

The themes of fear, courage, and love are prevalent in Steven Pressfield’s Gates of Fire. Illustrate the truthfulness of this statement.

Fear as a theme is most prevalent and dominant in “Gates of Fire,” as the author explores the theme together with others in-depth. In the novel, fear is depicted as perverse from the destruction of the city of Xeo to the threat of Persian invasion as well as the revulsions of Thermopylae. Dienekes, who is also the master that Xeo serves, seems engrossed and immersed in learning about fear and the various ways that the same can be overcome. Dienekes’ arguments about fear also reflect the author's knowledge of the fact that fear and terror cannot be overcome by sheer energies of courage but rather by love for ones’ brothers.

In the story, even though Dienekes seems to be a hardened warrior, he still struggles to put to bed, particular issues regarding terror, and how to battle it. When Tripod, also Alexandro’s acquaintance, is beaten to death during a training session, Dienekes sees this, that is, the negation by Tripod to submit as a commendable confrontation to fear. Xeo, who had initially joined the Spartans as a way of seeking revenge for his family, fails to leave even after being allowed to do so. This clearly shows the strong bond that he had developed, seeing the other warriors as his brothers. Additionally, Rooster, who had hated the Spartans, reemerges as a warrior and even shows mercy to captured Persians, intensifying the idea of love and selflessness being the key to overcoming fear.

Female strength and influence in Gates of Fire cannot go unnoticed. Using illustrations from Steven Pressfield’s Gates of Fire support this statement.

In the novel by Pressfield, even though male dominance is largely evident, female influence is also noticeable. After the Spartan warriors disgracefully return home from Tempe after not having expected to draw blood, their women mock them. “ A delegation of wives and mothers presented itself to the ephors [senior magistrates], insisting that they themselves be sent out next time, armed with hairpins and distaffs, since surely the women of Sparta could disgrace themselves no more egregiously nor accomplish less than the vaunted ten thousand.” Having been savagely insulted, the king thus decides to send out three hundred men in what can be termed a suicidal mission.

Additionally, women's influence in Gates of Fire can be seen when Arete intervenes when Rooster is on the verge of being murdered for being a conspirator. Arete is able to persuade the men to release the captured Rooster, who is also her nephew. Even though her particular course of action is a source of shame for her and Dienekes, she insists, and eventually, the men listen to her admiring her principles. This is a classic case of the influence and power of women, as explored by Steven Pressfield in Gates of Fire.