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Achilles Love And Deception In Greek Mythology

466 Words2 Pages

As it is acknowledged in Mythology, by Edith Hamilton, the Trojan war depicts a classic myth of both love and deception. This tale starts with the conflict between the Greeks and Trojans, due to an abduction of Greek Spartan queen, Helen. Because of this tragedy, Menelaus and Agamemnon gather an army of Greeks to defeat Paris and Troy. Achilles was known to be the best warrior at this time; therefore, he was sent to the war to fight for the Greeks. Due to him being alongside his best friend, Patroclus, Achilles finds his motivation to fight. Unfortunately, Achilles loses this desire to fight after he loses his war prize, consisting of a beautiful young maiden. Achilles is in high demand in the battle, which leads Patroclus to disguise himself in the armor of Achilles and fight in the war. Death soon follows Patroclus, and Achilles hears word of it. Because of the genuine love that he held for Patroclus, he rejoins the war full of rage …show more content…

Another case of this is seen in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. To start, Achilles is very similar to the “protagonist” of Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker. They are both lovable characters, as well as skilled warriors, known for their outstanding abilities in battle. Achilles and Anakin both get introduced to someone they will soon learn to love early on in their stories, whether romantically or platonically (Patroclus and Padme). These characters are both seen to be extremely vulnerable to their own emotions, which lead them to make unwise decisions, resulting in negative consequences. When Achilles lost his best friend, Patroclus, he turned to violence. Similar to this, when Anakin had a vision of his beloved wife dying, he looked to violence as well, but with the intentions to protect her. This consequential violence only provided the fate of Achilles and Anakin, as they both died as a result of their

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Achilles began his revenge, he stabbed Hector in his throat and killed him. Apollo told this to Hector’s brother Paris, and helped him to kill Achilles. Apollo knew Achilles’ secret which his weakness is at his heel. Finally, Achilles was killed by Paris by an arrow which was guided by Apollo. Well, in these

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Achilles Rage In The Iliad Essay

509 Words | 3 Pages

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1344 Words | 6 Pages

He becomes a whole different person at the end of the poem in order to respect the wishes of his dead friend, Patroclus. When approached by Antilochus the news of his beloved friend passing, Achilles dishonors himself and completely takes the blame for it. Even though Hector was the one who took down Patroclus, Achilles feels that it was his fault for not defending him in the first place. This changes Achilles' character because he is known to be egocentric and selfish, however, in this situation he almost became human and took fault for what had happened. Achilles had become obsessive over the glory that he was favored with but, now he wishes only to die and regrets that his mother even gave birth to him.

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697 Words | 3 Pages

Patroclus tries to persuade Achilles by telling him to “at least send him out, let him lead a troop of Myrmidons” so that he can “light the way for their army” (Homer 16.43-44). Patroclus expresses that he loves the Greeks too much to just sit around at the camp. He feels very emotional for his friend, so he wants to take his place and fight this war for him. Patroclus still has a mindset that “If the Trojans think” he is Achilles then “they’ll back off and give the Greeks some breathing space” (Homer 16.44-46). Patroclus believes his cleverness can outdo the Trojans in battle.

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995 Words | 4 Pages

When Patraclous is killed Achilles returns to the battle after he said we will not be fighting for the Achaeans because of the insult that it was made to his honor. He decided to go back and kill Hector for killing his best friend and most loved person, and to get the body which illustrate the idea of the glory after life. The idea of family honor adds a new level of understanding how important is pride is in ancient Greek literature. Another Example of this can be shown when Achilles kills hector, The reaction of Priam Hector’s father. Priam says “I have gone through what no other mortal on earth has gone through; I put my lips to the hands of the man who has killed my children (Homer, Iliad 24.505)”

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1051 Words | 5 Pages

In Homer’s The Iliad, epic hero Achilles serves as an example of how rage, when unchecked, leads to disastrous repercussions. Achilles, though nearly superhuman in his physical abilities, struggles repeatedly to contain his anger. Throughout The Iliad, as Achilles’ fury compounds, the consequences of his actions become catastrophic, eventually leading to the death of his best friend, Patroclus. Although Achilles ultimately chooses to avenge Patroclus’ death and achieve his own kleos, or honor, his rage-driven actions lead to the death of many Achaean soldiers, and change the course of his fate.

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1381 Words | 6 Pages

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1125 Words | 5 Pages

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394 Words | 2 Pages

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1785 Words | 8 Pages

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1201 Words | 5 Pages

Homer’s Iliad is one of the earliest depictions of war ever written. At face value, the epic is the story of Achilles’ rage, beginning with his honor being insulted by Agamemnon and it continues with the death of his best friend, Patroclus. Yet, the Iliad showcases so much more. It illustrates two very different perceptions of war: one one hand glorious honor and victory, and on the other, the the jarring horror of death and destruction.

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