Honor And Glory In Homer's Iliad

260 Words2 Pages
Homer’s Iliad represents Western’s individualism as a foundation of Greeks in achieving honor. The main goal of the Greek is to obtain fame that resounds even after death, and “whose glory shall perish never” (Homer, Iliad 2.324). Honor and glory are the fundamental value that not only define true warrior or hero, but also define the true identity of oneself. However, unlike Confucius’s idea of collectivism, Greek’s definition of honor is highly individualistic. This concept of individual victory leads confliction between King Agamemnon and his great warrior Achilles. When Agamemnon takes Archilles’s gift (Briseis) after being forced to give up his own prize (Chryseis), Achilles breaks the alliance with Achaeans. Agamemnon responds to Achilles