Honor In The Iliad

Over time the concept of honor has varied due to the change in people mentality and the circumstances, also it meaning could change depending on the culture of each person. To understand how honor is implied in the Iliad, first we need to understand the different point of views of each characters, especially Hector and Achilles which I will describe and try to understand their honor. In ancient times people were governed under a system of values that promoted gallantry, force in battle, the verve and honesty and the protection of the weakest. However, all these values turned in a lathe to a single purpose, the most important theme in the lives of these characters, or to put it in another way: “honor”. By analyzing the characters mentioned before,

Hector represents honor in a better way than Achilles, since he fought for a noble and honorable cause, contrary to Achilles who only fought for fame and revenge. Honor, in my perspective is not only about courage, skills, or fame, it is also about, values, education and being more thoughtful by making decisions. Meanwhile, the noble Trojan prince Hector could be considered more heroic from a moral and human terms. He’s a brave soldier and leader that command the defensive war of Troy, his city, against the aggression and invasion of foreign forces. Also, he is characterized by his courage, strength and boldness, with a spirit of sacrifice and total commitment to his people. Hector do not fall easily by emotions, he believes more in actions rather than faith, prophecies, or signs. A clear example is when Hector does not approve Polydamas desires to hold back because of the signs given to them by the gods: "No, no put our trust in the will of mighty Zeus, King of the deathless gods and men who die. Bird signs! Fight for your country - that is the best, the only omen!" (Bk.12, ll.

Hector, was a leader in all aspects on the battlefield and has greater sense of respect, he knew how to defend their rights and was aware of the power and impact that his words have in his army. Also, we could describe Hector by saying that he puts first his heart and soul with courage against anything, that’s why he insisted in defending their homeland, but his wife Andromache did not want him to go to combat, since she felt that something was going to happen in the battle. This is reflected in the following quotation:

Reckless one, my Hector – your own fiery courage will destroy you! Have you no pity for him, our helpless son? Or me, and the destiny that weights me down, your widow, now so soon. Yes, soon they will kill you off, all the Achaean forces massed for assault, and then, bereft of you, better for me to sink beneath the earth… I have lost my father. Mother’s gone as well. Father, the brilliant Achilles laid him low when he stormed Cilicia’s city… You Hector - you are my father now, my noble mother, and brother too, and you are my husband, young and warm and strong! (Bk 6, ll.