In The Iliad, Book 1, explain whether you agree or disagree that the action is controlled by the gods.

The question might better ask one to explain whether Homer
presents a believable case for his proposition that the actions in Book I of
The Iliad are controlled by the gods. The agreement or disagreement
of a 21st century reader would be immaterial as it would not be text-based opinion but
rather personal-belief based opinion: the pagans among us would probably agree, the
others would probably disagree. So the question that can be answered from the text is
whether Homer is convincing in trying to win agreement with the proposition that the
gods were in control of events in Book 1.

One of Homer's
first statements is that Apollo ("son of Jove and Leto") was angry with Agamemnon ("the
king") for the reason that he ("the son of Atreus") had "dishonoured Chryses" Apollo's
priest. Homer's next step is to show Chryses appeal for his abducted daughter to be
returned to him. First of all, Chryses does not storm in and demand her release in a
rage. On the contrary he presents himself respectfully and in an honorable official
capacity with the symbol of his full power as Apollo's priest displayed by the scepter
of Apollo that he carries. In this capacity, with this visual reminder of his connection
to Apollo, Chryses summons the laws of the land and offers a rich ransom in exchange for
the return of his daughter. Second, Chryses does not curse Agamemnon and the Danaans,
rather he blesses them by saying: "may the gods who dwell in Olympus grant you to sack
the city of Priam, and to reach your homes in safety."

Next
Homer presents the prayers Chryses makes in private in the temple of Apollo after being
denied what he could rightfully claim, a claim confirmed by the reception all the
Danaans except Agamemnon gave his offer of ransom. Homer tells that Chryses asks that
Apollo avenge the Danaans for his tears shed for his daughter. After that Apollo sets
off into action and, by Homer's account, does indeed avenge the tears of Chryses, which
injustice and hard-hearted rejection of custom and law caused him to
shed.

Based on the cause-effect relationships that Homer
sets up and based on the depth of character portrayal that Homer establishes--giving
such clear pictures of the principle characters based on their words, tones of delivery,
attitudes, and actions--it seems quite reasonable to conclude that Homer does provide
enough sound evidence in the text to substantiate his proposition that the gods,
specifically Apollo in the beginning of Book 1, were in control of the events that
followed Chryses failed negotiations and subsequent prayers.