Achilles, in
Greek mythology, greatest of the Greek warriors in the Trojan War is the
central character of Homer's epic poem Iliad. He was the son of the sea nymph Thetis
and Peleus, king of theMyrmidons of Thessaly. The
anger of Achilles, his withdrawal from the battles and the devastating effects
that this has on the Greek army is the core of the story the epic. Homer paints
his own portrait of a classic hero through the brave deeds as well as the human
flaws.
Achilles’ mother
Thetis attempted to make him immortal bathing him in the River Styx
when she learns that he would die in the Trojan War. The waters made him invulnerable
except for the heel by which his mother held him. The term Achilles heel
has become popularized to refer to someone’s or something’s key weakness. However, now we will see how Homer represents
him in Iliad.
In the Iliad, as
a whole, Achilles reflects a paradigm of the hero who has fallen in deep love
with honour and glory. There lies a thirst
for everlasting “honour” and “reputation” behind his every action or decision.
Achilles considers Briseis as evidence of his glory. As a result, when Agamemnon forcibly takes
her form he attempted to prevent the loss of Briseis at all costs; he
does not even hesitate to pray for the destruction of the Greek army and
Agamemnon. In
[1], A 302, and [1], A 352-355,
Achilles
stresses that the motive for his participation in the Trojan War is not the
love for wealth, since his father Peleus was rich enough, but his hunt for
glory and pride, which would distinguish him from all others. [1],
I 398-402
Achilles is set
before an important decision whether he wants to live a short life and gain
glory, or live a long life. By choosing honour and short life, he acts freely,
ready to accept his death (22.430).
Achilles steps
forward in the Greeks' darkest hour, when they are doomed: their troops fleeing
headlong before the Trojans army, their ships burning, most of the Greek heroes
wounded, Patroclus killed, Achilles' own armour taken by Hector. At that moment he stands by the wall where he
can be seen and with a roar terrifies the Trojan forces so intensely they turn
and flee for the walls of Troy. The next
day, the Greeks are renewed and encouraged.
He has inspired the people of his culture and has been idealized by many
in modern times, apparently for his ability to make war and kill on an epic
scale.
Patroclus’ death
stimulates Achilles to reconsider his attitude towards his comrades. On the one
hand, he feels regret and embarrassment for not going to the battlefield
himself and having sent Patroclus instead. On the other hand, his thirst for
glory is quenchless. Nothing else but this thirst is what makes him terminate
the estrangement from his fellow Greeks. According to Achilles’ moral code, if
he manages to kill Hector and take revenge for Patroclus’ loss he will be
honoured. Therefore an outraged Achilles makes the big decision to join his
comrades and take revenge for his friend’s death.
Achilles, mad
and vengeful, kills Hector in an unnecessarily cruel and barbaric way. He
brutally drags Hector's death body and exhibits an atrocious and vindictive
behaviour which contradicts the traits of an ancient hero.
But Achilles
seems more humane and less rigid when Priam, the father of dead Hector,
comes to him with gifts, entreating for his dead son’s corpse. Achilles softens his anger and not only
accepts the offer but also welcomes Priam warmly. Achilles has now an excellent
opportunity to recover his heroic virtues. By giving back the corpse of Hector
to Priam, he shows nobility and respect to the elderly and the foreign leader.
Moreover, by having the foreign king visit and entreat him with gifts, Achilles
feels that he is still important and respectful in the eyes of others.
Towards the end
of our discussion, we can say that Achilles is a courageous soldier, honourable
man, and respected leader, but he also has human failings. His hunting of
excessive honour and glory sometimes leads him to be excessively furious which
contrasting to the heroic code.
This
paper is prepared for you by Talim Enam, BA (Hons), MA in English.
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