The Role Of Achilles In The Iliad

In Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles portrays the concept of a devastating hero. Throughout many of his experiences in the Trojan War, his heroic qualities are shown through his actions. Similar to Achilles, in Plato’s The Trial and Death of Socrates, Socrates shows plenty of heroic characteristics. Through his trial and unfortunate death, Socrates expresses that his commitment to his society is genuine and real. Both Socrates and Achilles have characteristics that stray from the accepted standards of society, leading them to both question and analyze the ideas in their own societies. In the beginning of Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles questions King Agamemnon's involvement of the plague (Book 1, 68-75). For the main part, Achilles’ actions focus on …show more content…
Achilles is a tragic figure who dies, carrying his heroic ideals. Achilles’ choice to not fight for the Achaeans resulted in his and Patroclus’ death and Achilles freely received his fate. Socrates’ views differ from Achilles’ views. Socrates accepts the community’s unfair actions. He believes that to act unjustly in self-defense is not right. This belief is completely strange and unknown to Achilles because most of his actions in Homer’s The Iliad are centered on his pride, anger, and love for revenge (Book 22, 286-295). Another difference between Achilles and Socrates is the consistency of the concept of hero. Achilles has many achievements and failures throughout Homer’s The Iliad. He interrogates Agamemnon and his power, but also defends the injustices harming his community. Socrates, however, has a more constant depiction of heroic principles. Moreover, while Achilles’ heroic characteristics are based mainly on his physical accomplishments, Socrates’ heroic features are shown through his wisdom. Throughout Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles is described as the swiftest warrior that fights in Troy. Socrates’ heroic characteristics are based on his philosophical