ipl-logo

The Importance Of Heroic Code In The Iliad

1570 Words7 Pages

In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values. …show more content…

You now no man dispatches me into thee under gloom against my fate; no mortal, either can escape his fate, coward of brave man, once he comes to be (J 205-210)
In this speech Hector, is trying to comfort his wife Andromache, because of his upcoming fate of death. This is when he truly accepts the possibility of death. Furthermore, his acceptance of fate brings courage and strength to his heart, and gives a feeling to fullfill his duty as a Trojan prince and as a warrior. Achilles also accepts his fate: 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. How these two character faces their fate, can be considered heroic. Accepting fate is very hard and cannot be done without a strong heart. This is shown by the two characters, one who accepts with and the other with fury.In addition, accepting fate is seen as very courageous in the society and can show the characters strong and fearless

Show More
Related
146 Words | 1 Pages

In conclusion, the Iliad presents readers a mystical world with double duality through the god's intervention in the Trojan War. The inner layer is the conflicts between Achaians and Trojans, while the outer layer is the opposition between mortals and immortals. The duality of gods and humans gives the readers a new perspective of considering the world of the Iliad, in which human beings, regardless their nationality, can be seen as an entity. The new perspective places mortal's value system in an equivalent position with god's will when mortal decides their active movement. The intervention also transforms the reader's attitudes towards heroes, especially Achilles, Hektor, and Diomedes, who reveal their persistence in either moral value or

Read More
128 Words | 1 Pages

Unlike Achilles, Hector does not realize that his own death approaches and this ignorance makes his experience entirely human. Throughout the poem, Homer only alludes to his death through the words of the gods and of the poet himself, thus neither Hector nor his companions know that his death is imminent. Hector never dwells on the thought of his own mortality, only occasionally veering between fear and hope for his success in the war. When Hector finally faces death, Homer has already prepared the reader, which makes the scene when Hector finally realizes that there is no hope for him even more poignant. Comparing the foreshadowing of Achilles' and Hector's deaths, the poet skillfully develops the reader’s emotional involvement for these

Read More
1661 Words | 7 Pages

Nicole Tschida ENG 210 Paper 1 2-26-18 The Iliad and The Consequences of War The plot of the Iliad takes place in the middle of the war between the Greeks and the Trojans that lasted for ten years. This conflict according to Homer and ancient Greek mythology occurred because the Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen, the wife of Menelaus, brother to king Agamemnon. In this paper, I will be examining the consequences of war, as outlined by Homer.

Read More
976 Words | 4 Pages

The Nature of War is expressed though out the Iliad and can be related to not only the Trojan War but all wars throughout history. The ideas of Heroism, Honour and pride are the basis of all warriors. The Dark Ages, a time of regression in ancient Greece after the fall of the Mycenaean civilization, was when the first known telling of the Iliad occurred. During the dark ages written text was non-existent therefore the Iliad was passed down in the oral tradition. When civilisation emerged from the Dark Age and into the beginning of the archaic age and the Iliad was written down, it was written to be read aloud, as it was still to be an oral tradition.

Read More
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.

Read More
1381 Words | 6 Pages

The Ancient Greeks value specific qualities in a person however they did not value other. Ancient Greeks valued these qualities based on certain achievements or on a performances in war or even inside the city walls making substantial decisions. The Iliad is a epic novel by the Greek poet Homer. The Iliad is based off of the Trojan war between the Achaeans led by King Agamemnon and the Trojans led by King Priam of Troy. This novel focuses on the actions of several characters and how the disparate gods interfered with the war to help one or the other side have a chance to win.

Read More
1192 Words | 5 Pages

In this story, the final years of the Trojan War are described and explained from different sides. The book’s main focus is on the Achaean side, specifically the character Achilles, in whom we can see correlations with Joseph Campbell’s Hero With A Thousand Faces and the Homeric Pattern. Achilles was seen as one of the biggest heroes of his day, however, some people today disagree. After examining Achilles’ actions and motivations throughout the story, it can be seen that he is not the hero his people believed him to be. Achilles is the son of the goddess Thetis, and therefore one of the strongest immortals.

Read More
1125 Words | 5 Pages

Males in The Iliad saw glory to only be able to be sought through winning battles, as the females saw war as a terrible aspect, since it could take the lives of the ones they loved. Characters in The Iliad, Achilles, Homer, and Paris, all had contrasting views and understandings of the meaning of war, depending upon their fighting ethics, confidence, and courage. They all hoped to gain honor through kleos, which may allow them to gain approval from the Gods to enter Mount Olympus (Puchner 225). War is an act that tears everyone in competing areas apart, yet is the only thing that brings contrasting individuals together.

Read More
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.

Read More
1785 Words | 8 Pages

The epic poem, The Iliad written by Homer shows the conflicts and events that occurred between the Greeks and Trojans during the Trojan War. Among both sides there are warriors who follow a distinct code, known as the heroic code. This Heroic code helps portray the characteristics of the warriors and their perspective on war. This distinct code is composed of many elements such as arete, acceptance of fate, honour, excellence in war, leadership, courage and power. These traits are shown within the main warriors, Hector and Achilles throughout the epic war poem and helps to guide their decisions.

Read More
879 Words | 4 Pages

Heroes have always stood out in time as wondrous beings. In literature they possess certain special traits. These traits are ones such as courage, strength, selflessness and intelligence. Theseus an Athenian hero possess some of these great qualities,“... he was as compassionate as he was brave and a man of great intellect as well as great bodily strength” (133).

Read More
2126 Words | 9 Pages

Estrada, Ma. Luisa Teresita O. Sir Jojo Nicdao LIT101 The Iliad Final Paper An epic is a narrative poem that talks about heroic deeds and events that are important to the culture of the poet which in this case is Homer. These kinds of poems were ideal in the Ancient world because expressing stories orally was rampant. [1] The Iliad is an epic poem which was predated by the judgment of Paris.

Read More
1395 Words | 6 Pages

The Ancient Greeks value specific qualities in a person, however they did not value other. Ancient Greeks valued these qualities based on certain achievements or on a performances in war or even inside the city walls making substantial decisions. The Iliad is an epic novel by the Greek poet Homer. The Iliad is based off of the Trojan war between the Achaeans led by King Agamemnon and the Trojans led by King Priam of Troy. This novel focuses on the actions of several characters and how the disparate gods interfered with the war to help one or the other side have a chance to win.

Read More
1298 Words | 6 Pages

From the grief of the Greeks and the Trojans comes greater understanding of the price of war. According to “The Type of Stories Chart” the epic poem is categorized as a success story of Greeks in the Trojan war, but the poem sobers the success of the Greeks with the constant reminder of death in war. In

Read More
624 Words | 3 Pages

To begin, Achilles learns life is not fair. From a very young age a child learns that you don’t always get what you want in life, especially when they don’t receive

Read More

More about The Importance Of Heroic Code In The Iliad

Related Topics

Open Document