In the Iliad, Achilles confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his responsibilities. When Agamemnon steals Achilles war-prize, Briseis, Achilles quits the war. He is passionate about the idea that he deserves Briseis, which conflicts with his responsibilities in war. Achilles hubris’ overpowers his role in battle; he chooses his war-prize over helping lead the Greeks to victory.
Agamenon selfish as he is covets a prize in return for Chryseis, “That done, I myself will call for Briseis at your hut, and take her, flower of young girls that she is, your prize, to show you here and now who is the stronger and make the next man sick at heart--if any think of claiming equal place with me” (Homer 17). In return for Chryseis, whom was returned to her father, Agamemnon steals Briseis to
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You overlook this, dogface, or don’t care, and now in the end you threaten to take my girl, a prize i sweated for, and soldiers gave me!” (Homer 16-17). Achilles believes he has worked hard to earn Briseis and no one should threaten to take her. Without Briseis, Achilles feels he has lost his true identity, his status as “the best of the Akhaians.” As a result of losing his war-prize, his only response is to withdraw from the war altogether, even if that means he can gain no fame on the field of battle. Achilles makes the heroic choice of a long, undistinguished life, over a short, glorious life.
Achilles hubris’ overthrows his heroic decisions. Achilles quitting the war, almost guarantees a loss for the Greeks. Achilles, the strongest Greek warrior must confront the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his responsibilities. He must make a strong decision that will benefit both him and his side during war. A good decision maker has a strong impact on a surrounding