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Achilles Vs Hector Research Paper

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Achilles vs Hector The epic poem The Iliad written by Homer reveals the battle of two epic heroes, Achilles and Hector. Achilles is a demi-god who ultimately faces his enemy Hector a prince of Troy during The Trojan War. These two soldiers were great leaders of the armies and both achieved admiration from their men. However, these two warriors fought on opposing sides, but they were both considered to be the greatest. One major difference between these two epic warriors is that Achilles fights for the Greeks, while Hector fights for the Trojans. While arguing with Agamemnon, Achilles states, “-we all followed you, to please you, to fight for you, to win your honor back from the Trojans, -Menelaus and you.” (Book 1, ln 186-188) In this text, Achilles reminds Agamemnon that he, like the other Greeks, sailed to Troy to defeat the Trojans and stand united for their cause. On the other hand, Hector will “… stand up bravely, always to fight …show more content…

After Achilles withdraws from battle, “The demoralized Achaean army feels handicapped by Achilles’ absence.” (Book 6, pg 379) Without the fighting of the Greek’s greatest warrior, the Trojans have been able to push their enemy back to their ships proving Achilles is the best of the Achaeans. Similarly, Hector was known as the greatest Trojan even to Achilles when he declares to Agamemnon, “…. Nothing you can do will save you- not when your hordes of fighters drop and die, cut down at the hand s of man-killing Hector.” (Book 1, ln 283-285) Hector’s great fighting ability was known not only to his fellow men of Troy, but to Achilles and other great Greek warriors as well, making him well-known to be the greatest of the Trojan soldiers. In summation, these two very different men are both known throughout many lands that they are the two greatest fighters on their side during the Trojan

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