Achilles: Defining Homer's Idea Of Heroism

Achilles: Defining Homer’s Idea of Heroism Throughout the Iliad, characters such as Odysseus, Achilles, Agamemnon and Hector received a certain phrase after they’re announced: like a god (Book 7, Line 136). Even though these warriors were truly mortal – or demigod - they exhibited characteristics that declared them rightful owner of the title “hero.” However, these heroes were described as strong and ruthless warriors who killed and mutilated whatever they could in order to get what they wanted. That was what their homeland expected them to do: fight for them and secure what was theirs. The strong were bred to do what was right for their people, but doesn’t necessarily agree with the choices. Homer introduced characters that defied these …show more content…
The hero is expected to maintain sanity, stay strong for his people and his troops, strengthen and maintain relationships, and successfully take down the enemy. Achilles was a hero that showed emotions, and proved that yes, heroes could feel pain. He was one of the few who openly wept throughout the epic. He cried over the “horrendous grief” he has endured from losing the love of his life, and he moans about how he has “suffered pain in [his] heart!” (Book 16, Lines 56-57). Achilles’ tears were described as “dark water of a spring that pours its black waters over a high cliff” (Book 16, Lines 2-5). Achilles also managed to use his sorrow and turn it into strength. The death of his close colleague Patroklos stirred Achilles enough to avenge his death (Book 18, Lines 83-85). Homer wrote about a character who showed signs of pure weakness and earned and/or kept the respect of his men at the end of this epic. A hero does not have to be someone who constantly shoves their own opinions aside and handles any task without having an emotional attachment. They are someone who knows how to harness their emotions into something greater that can feed their