As long as we continue to think, there will always be debate about the relevance and applications of any figure that has potential symbolism deeper than its appearance. We see it with the Bible, with the fundamentalism, literalism, interpretationalism that accompany it and its real detractors. Attention paid to an object for such a prolonged time is bound to make the battlefield easier for linguists, philosophers and literary scholars. Furthermore, we see him with Achilles' shield in Homer's Iliad. The Shield is a literary figure of beauty that the world has enjoyed, despised and revered for several millennia. Its long and detailed description forces any reader, if not to look further for a higher meaning, then at least to imagine and stare at it for a significant period of time. There are conflicting explanations for the importance of the passages describing the images on the Shield. . It ranges from the Poet's rethinking to the revelation of God interpreted by Homer. There are many divergent ideas regarding the meaning and use of the figure of Homer, but the beauty of his work is that it doesn't really answer to itself. Homer does not provide the key to his secret closet in his work; leave it to the interpretation of others. That's the beauty of literature, there is no right or wrong answer. What the creator intended it to be is only a shadow of what is, just as the branch of a tree can become the home of chirping birds. And so it is with the Shield of Achilles. One of the most interesting ideas, in my opinion, regarding the Shield, is Hugh Nibley's interpretation in his book Abraham in Egypt. He discusses at length, in the volume, the way in which God reveals His knowledge and his species...... in the center of the paper ......and contrast of the extremes, we see both sides, and from this we can look at the center and in a few such short lines we can see everything there is. The beauty of literature is that there is no answer. We can discuss and debate endlessly. Even if Homer were alive right now and lecturing at BYU, I'm not entirely convinced he could tell us exactly what he meant by the image of women laughing as they watch the parade from their doorways. He may have meant it literally. He may have been speaking somewhat autobiographically when describing the pastime of a famous author; enjoying the academic racket made by his cerebral child. One thing is for sure, however; the images he depicted in his works will be remembered forever, perhaps not so much for the skill with which they were created, but for the possibilities he imbues the minds of others.