Achilles Ideal In The Iliad

The Heroic Ideal: “To die in war is the greatest achievement. To be remembered after death is eternal life” (Mrs. Rodgers, Worldview 1). The Greco-Roman culture held up this model of a warrior as the epitome of what they wanted to achieve. This important idea is illustrated throughout Homer’s Iliad. The Iliad describes the Trojan War and Achilles specifically, the major character flaw of Achilles, and the effects of Achilles’ flaw on the war.

First the Iliad describes the Trojan War and Achilles’ part in it. The Trojan War, described in the Iliad, was set by a man that had been deciding something between some of the goddesses. The backstory of the Iliad started with three goddesses, Hera the wife/queen/sister of Zeus, Athena the goddess of

A flaw can be “A defect in physical structure or form” or “An imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness” (Merriam-Webster). The Bible describes pride as “Haughty eyes and a proud heart – the unplowed of the wicked -- produce sin” (New International Version Proverbs 21:4). This brings up the next question: what was Achilles’ flaw? It is a very common but major flaw called pride. Pride is an attribute that everyone has. It can be thought of as “A feeling that you are more important or better than other people” (Merriam-Webster). The Bible speaks of pride as “Haughty eyes and a proud heart – the unplowed of the wicked -- produce sin” (New International Version, Proverbs 21:4). Pride in Homer’s Iliad caused Achilles’ wrath or to be better known as ‘The Rage of Achilles’ (Mrs. Rodgers, Worldview 1). The book begins by articulating that Agamemnon has taken a war prize from Achilles and will not give it back. (A war prize is certain spoils that are taken from a conquered city). Achilles unfortunately starts quarrelling with Agamemnon and wants to kill him; “The son of Peleus was furious, and his heart within his shaggy breast was divided whether to draw his sword, push the others aside, and kill the son of Atreus…” (Homer, Iliad 1.183-5). At this point Achilles’ pride had diminished his credibility, and he was struggling with his anger. Later in the intriguing plot of the story, Achilles finds himself in a point of tension. A point of tension is the peaking or turning point in which someone is wrestling with a tough decision. Achilles had to decide if he would go into battle and die in glory, or go back to his home, live long and prosperous, but without glory. Knowing that he was the strongest and most skillful warrior in the Achaean ranks meant that he was able to patiently wait for the Greeks to begin begging him to join the battle.