Achilles Sparknotes

Book 1 of the Iliad begins with Agamemnon angrily addressing the Greek Prophet Calchas after he insists that Chriseis is returned immediately. Achilles jumps in demanding that Agamemnon give up the girl as the God’s demand and the heated argument begin. At first, Achilles is angry that Agamemnon does not appreciate the fact that he is a great warrior and is not grateful that he joined the Greek army. After the Greek raids near the city of Troy they took two beautiful enemy women prisoners as war prizes for Agamemnon and Achilles. Agamemnon’s prize was Chriseis, the daughter of the Greek Prophet Calchas, Achilles a women named Briseis. After Agamemnon refuses to give Calchas daughter back, Calchas reaches out to the Greek God Apollo to cast

Achilles was known as the strongest and most skilled man on the battlefield. He risked his life by fighting at the front line side by side with his warriors every day. Agamemnon was the leader of the army but never put himself in harm’s way. He took credit for everything that his army accomplished and grabbed the biggest portion of the war prizes. As Achilles clearly stated, “You drunkard with a cur’s mask and the courage of a doe, you’ve never dare to take up arms and fight beside your men, or join the Achaean leaders in an ambush. You’d sooner die. You’d rather steal the prize from any Achaean in this great army who contradicts you. Devourer of your own people you are, because they are weak”. The values and priorities that the ancient Greeks most revered were Loyalty, Bravery, Glory and helping your fellow man. Achilles led his life much more in harmony with the values revered by ancient Greek society. Achilles was a fierce warrior, more skilled than any other on the battlefield. His bravery was well respected as was his loyalty to his country and the protection of his warriors. Achilles tried to achieve glory in every fashion of his life. Achilles quest for glory caused him to lose control of his emotions regularly and would act out with anger when he could not achieve what he wanted to