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Similarities Between The Iliad And Antigone

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Human beings all have one thing in common- we die, we are “thanatoi”; the dying ones. It is a beautiful concept that unites all of humanity, yet it also engenders the questions- why are we all condemned to die? What are we all dying for? Many people need no further elaboration on the topic of death, other than that it is mankind’s fate to die. However, ancient scholars like Homer, and Sophocles capitalized on their need for answers. They explored and provided answers to these essential questions in their ancient epics and plays, respectively, which gives modern day mankind an insight into plausible answers to these imperative questions about our fate. In The Iliad and Antigone, characters are willing to risk death for glory/kleos. Yet, in seeking this form of immortality, characters succumb to their fate, …show more content…

Achilles is constantly vacillating between his choice to seek glory and fight, or refrain from this quest. At a key point in the epic Achilles says if he seeks glory he will die, and if he doesn’t he will live (Homer, Iliad 9.500-505). This presents the argument that human beings’ quest for immortality is the cause of our death. Furthermore, Achilles says, “I’ve lost the will to live, / to take my stand in the world of men” (Homer, Iliad 18.105-106) which shows he is willing to die and risk death to avenge Patroclus’ death. However, later on his speech, Achilles says “but now, for the moment, let me seize great glory” which reveals that he is actuallu risking death for glory-not Patroclus. Thetis- Achilles’ mother- responds to the former quote, “You’re doomed to a short life, my son, from all you say,” and this shows that the moment Achilles goes for glory, he seals his fate to die (Homer, Iliad

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In the Iliad, Achilles is faced with two choices which he learned of through his mother, Thetis, which are kleos,”fame,” and nostos, “homecoming.” If Achilles decides to return home, he will lose his kleos, but will have more time at home and an unchallenging death. Though if he stays in Troy and fights his nostos will be lost, but he will obtain kleos. Achilles understands that living would be an extension of time, but that just time itself has no value. At first he chose nostos and after the shift in his anger towards Agamemnon he chose kleos.

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After his death, Achilles contradicts the ideal of dying honorably and obtaining kleos. Achilles states that he would rather “slave on earth for another man--/some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive --/ than rule down here over all the breathless dead” (11.555-558). Achilles believes that life is more precious than immortal glory. Achilles contradicts the supreme value of kleos in the Iliad. Initially, he once believed that glory was more much important than life.

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Now I must go to look for the destroyer of my great friend. I shall confront the dark dear spirit of death at any hour Zeus and the other gods may wish to make an end (Q 65-68). Here, Achilles shows fearlessness and audacity in his acceptance of death. However, he accepted his fate, to avenge the killer of his friend Patroclus.

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