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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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257 Words | 2 Pages

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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881 Words | 4 Pages

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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161 Words | 1 Pages

Creon vs. Antigone The tragic hero from “Antigone,” written by Sophocles is Creon. A tragic hero is a character that has a downfall caused by his/her tragic flaw. The tragic flaw is usually having an excessive amount of pride, or being arrogant.

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119 Words | 1 Pages

Gilgamesh was looking for immortality while Achilles wanted glory and fame. Although they both went  through similar ordeals they dealt  with in different ways. Each man was considered a heroic to their cultures for different reason.     We can tell a lot about the priorities and values of Gilgamesh’s and Achilles’ cultures through their heroic actions. It somewhat proved an answer to the way they did things and why

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407 Words | 2 Pages

Each and everyday we see a new home being built, or a shopping mall opening, or even an apartment complex in the making, but we never think of at what expense all of this is happening. By building all of these new additions we are killing hundred of different species in the process. Humans are cutting down forests, and destroying animal’s habitats. Extinction is one of the most pressing problems we are currently facing today. Each day a new species shows up on the extinction list.

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618 Words | 3 Pages

He says, “I’d rather be a 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.” This is very intriguing to me because Achilles is in a position of power over the Underworld, and is still in agony. Homer’s idea of The Underworld is pretty similar to the ideology of the

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977 Words | 4 Pages

In the Iliad, Achilles is responding to Odysseus’s speech attempting to convince him to return to the war. Achilles’ main argument against returning is his incalculable rage against Agamemnon for “the prize of honor / The warlord Agamemnon gave me / And in his insulting arrogance took back” which is not only an insult to Achilles’ status, but also to his honor as a warrior (Il. 9.378-379). In addition to focusing on the main argument of Achilles’ speech, it is worth noting the contradictions present within his speech as well.

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730 Words | 3 Pages

Troy is a film based on the philosopher Homers “Iliad, depicting the battle between the ancient civilisations of Troy and Sparta. This battle was brought on by the mistake of Prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) courting the Spartan king Menelaus’s wife (Diane Kruger) after a truce was accepted. Using this, king Agamemnon declared war against the Trojan empire; and in so there downfall. This film has much contradiction to whether it is reliable.

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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

If I stay here and fight before the city of Troy, there will be no home- coming for me but my fame shall never die; if I go home to my native land, there will be no great fame for me, but I shall live long and not die an early death.” (Homer 110) This shows that he is selfishness and fearful at the same time of losing and dying in the war. In the very beginning of the Iliad, King Agamemnon and Achilles have an argument for a couple of different reasons. After, the Achians won a battle against a city that was allied with the Trojans each of them received a prize consisted of a young woman from the war.

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699 Words | 3 Pages

Also, although not describe in The Iliad, Achilles went to such extremes after killing Hector, that he even lost his own life in battle (Krause). Not suffering a valiant death as a result of the war, Achilles died once his pride consumed him and encouraged him to kill for entertainment. Completely controlling Achilles, the pride resulting from victory, combined with arrogance and anger create an epic downfall for the once worshiped

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1570 Words | 7 Pages

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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68 Words | 1 Pages

Though some may argue that it is the individual actions of Achilles and Oedipus that lead to their demise, it is the role of prophecy in their individual lives as well as in their respective societies, which allows for the tragic fates of such great heroes; and renders the dream of achieving any semblance of arete or human flourishing null in favor of the whims of the gods.

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1592 Words | 7 Pages

3. The question Achilles is faced with is to die young and famous or die old and anonymous, such a difficult question, but I believe that to die young and famous is much more valuable than to die old and anonymous. The reason I think this is the best choice because dying famous means that you will continue to influence people for the rest of time. When I see people who are truly famous, they are famous because we still read about them today. For example, George Washington is famous because we still learn about him today.

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394 Words | 2 Pages

Achilles is maddened and appeals to his goddess mother saying, “If I am to die soon, shouldn’t I have what I want?” Feeling only sorrow for her son, Thetis requests Zeus to cause to Greeks to lose until Achilles fights again. Slowly the Greeks are pushed back farther and Agamemnon pleads with Achilles, offering Briseis back. Achilles declines due to his pride and the Trojans come close to burn the Greek ships. Even when a ship was burning, Achilles refused to fight and instead sends out Patroclus.

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