Do you know anyone that’s ever acted out by taking revenge with extreme measures causing pain to themselves and those closest to them? The authors of The Iliad and Medea use individualistic heroic identity which complicates relationships with those closest to them. Comparing and contrasting the characteristics of Achilles and Hector in The Iliad, and Medea and Jason in Medea provide distinctive traits leading to each character’s downfall and demise. Both of the literary works main characters are based on traits evoking rage, vengeance, and betrayal and end with the ultimate retribution.
In The Iliad, Hector and Achilles were both known as great warriors, but differ in their approaches to heroic behavior. Both men sought revenge out of the rage of a loss of someone close to them. In book 22, Hector decides to stand as the only Trojan outside of Troy while the other warriors stand safely inside the walls. Hector’s father warns him of sight of Achilles and the Greeks advancing, but pride and honor prevent Hector from backing down. Hector flees from Achilles illustrating the conflict between mortals and demi-gods or having what it takes to be a hero and the human
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Dishonor and disrespect leads to vengeance for one another, but that makes the other just as guilty. In Medea, Medea becomes so infatuated by Jason’s betrayal that she in return betrays her own children by slaying them for revenge. Nonetheless, in The Iliad, Achilles’ pride gets in the way of his honor and results in the death of his closest friend, Patroclus. The outcome of this conflict left him feeling betrayed and wanting revenge on Hector, who had ended the life of Patroclus to get to the Achaean’s. Achilles then sets out for the revenge of Patroclus’ death and finds himself learning of his own doomed fate after killing