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.
In the epic poem, the Illiad by Homer, Achilles is the most courageous character. For example, Achilles avenges his best friend Patroclus death by battling Hector for revenge. After Achilles is informed about Patroclus death he says, "if Hector does not feel my battering spear tear the life out of him, making him pay in his own blood for the slaughter of Patroclus!" (ln 28-30). His bravery shines through this act because he puts himself out there to avenge his friends death.
Achilles explains the reason for his distinguishing attitude as led by Patroclus’ death. The speech highlights the importance of Patroclus’ death as the turning point of the Iliad that not only impels the Trojan war but also changes Achilles’ attitude toward destiny. Achilles’ death is significant for it marks both Achilles’ change in his treatment of enemies and his return to the battlefield. In the first six lines, Achilles talks about the different ways he treats Trojans. These lines stand out in illustrating the influence of Patroclus’ death on Achilles as Achilles returns to the battlefield and kills Trojans to avenge Patroclus.
But Achilles kept on grieving for his friend, / the memory burning on… / and all-subduing sleep could not take him, / not now, he turned and twisted, side to side, he longed for Patroclus’ manhood, his gallant heart- / what rough campaigns they’d fought to an end together, / what hardships they had suffered, cleaving their way / through wars of men and pounding waves at sea. (24.4-11).
Achilles was a Greek warrior in the Trojan war. He was a self-preserving person and it showed through his actions, temper, and pride. Achilles did not care about anyone else but himself. Achilles' actions can be seen in many different ways, but some can definitely prove that he is self-preserving. In Book Sixteen of the Iliad, line 2, Patroclus is upset because the war is not going well for the Greeks, so he cries to Achilles for comfort, but all he does is tell to grow up and stop crying (Homer).
In Book 18, Achilles' anger towards Agamemnon leads him to withdraw from battle, causing shame in his reputation. " The best man, the greatest warrior by far, was kept back from the fighting - his heart was heavy with anger." (Book 18, Lines 123-125) This passage illustrates the importance of reputation as it affects Achilles' honor and standing in society. The literary element of characterization is used to emphasize Achilles' reputation as a great warrior.
Achilles' decision making is affected by the fact that he is both hero and renowned warrior, mortal and immortal. Throughout the work, Achilles is shown to be godlike in manner and physicality, imbued with ‘supernatural’ physical strength. Like all warriors, he seeks immortality. Heroes are “...rescued from mortality... [and become] godlike in status and immortal in the
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.
One of the most interesting sections in Book 24 of the Iliad when Priam knelt at the feet of his son’s killer. Not only did Achilles kill Hector but had been dragging him around his cart, and attempting to mutilating his sons body. And yet despite this he has the courage to appear before Achilles a man who has been torturing the broken body of his son (scorning the gods by doing so) and ask for the return of his son. The entire passage where Priam appeals to Achilles nature outside his need for revenge by saying: This is incredibly courageous, and works to force Achilles to see the humanity in his foe and recognize Hector as a son with a loving father, rather than just the enemy. Even when Priam takes Hectors body and slips out in the middle
Achilles only wishes to get revenge on Agamemnon, no matter the consequences for his
Why do translations differ from one another? Well,“ translations" are like a written puzzle that is incapable "to produce equivalent versions of verbal stimuli” (Sechrest, Fay and Zaidi). Deciphering the meaning of a massive work could possibly be as difficult as translating a single word. For example, a tyrant king might look at his regime as beneficial; while, citizens might dispute otherwise. It does not matter how, but to make sure to be inside the walls of Troy.
The Indo-European heroic figure of Achilles has an immense battle with himself and the constant changing of the codes in which he follows. Achilles is one of these people that assume an essential part in the plot of Iliad; as Homer places it in the lines of this work, the wrath of Achilles, his withdrawal from the war and the overwhelming impacts this has on the Greek armed force will be the main point of the story. Achilles appears as a complicated character with his own idiosyncrasy and system of ideals that sometimes no one else but him can understand. In the Iliad, in general, Achilles mirrors a worldview of the legend that has fallen in profound love with respect and magnificence. Behind each activity or choice of Achilles lies his hunger
Nestor, noble charioteer, captures best the essence of Achilles when he says, “Achilles, brave as he is, he has no care, / no pity for our Achaeans” (Homer 11.787-788). Most readers of the Iliad, consider Achilles the greatest warrior of The Trojan War, however, he lacks an important characteristic; care for others. Achilles’ best friend Patroclus, has described him as a great warrior, but a terrible person (11.774). A great warrior is said to belong to greater cause and is willing to give their all to this cause, expecting nothing in return (PTPT). In Homer's Iliad, Hector the great warrior of the Trojans, exhibits this selfless leadership approach, which contrasts to Achilles’ selfish actions as a leader, it’s through Achilles’ self-centered
(R 23-35). The Greeks hearing Achilles return, gain strength, will and perseverance to carry on the war. The responsibility that Achilles takes plays massive role, affecting the men 's actions throughout the
Iliad is recognized as one of the most famous ancient monuments of literature. The full understanding of this epic poem is hardly possible without thorough analysis of its main characters. Among all the episodes of the Trojan War, Homer chooses the moment of Achilles’ wrath and thus creates a poem in which he becomes the central figure. From the Ancient Greeks’ point of view, Achilles represents the ideal of manliness and pure heroism, for he is brave and fights for heroics, not profits. Today, one can agree with this interpretation, yet Achilles is probably the most controversial character because he combines various personality traits and acts in accordance with his ambiguous nature.
