Throughout The Iliad many scenes of violence occur. The epic poem is a poem of war, therefore violence is on every page. Violence is the leader in all conflicts, it is the leader in The Iliad as well as other great works of mythology. Violence is the keystone link between conflict and resolution. In Fagles’ translation of Homer’s The Iliad, the scene in which Achilles and Hector face off displays violence in three forms; the emotional violence of senseless killing ,the physical violence of war, and the mental violence of exertion.
The scene in which Achilles murders Hector reflects firstly emotional violence. Hector begs Achilles to have mercy on his body, but Achilles is not persuaded Hector pleads, “...Come, we’ll swear to the gods, the highest …show more content…
The mental violence is hard to find in this scene, but it is hidden in between the woven reeds of the two previously mentioned violences. The mental violence puts pressure on the great heroes to fight well and without too much thought. Achilles puts all his mental strength into physically beating Hector; while Hector spends his mental strength in finding way to dissuade Achilles from being all but too harsh on his body. Achilles is ready to use all his mental violence on this one fight; he swiftly pursues his prey wherever he may run too. Achilles when Hector flees, “... Achilles went for him, fast, sure of his speed as the wild mountain hawk…” (Fagles 546) Achilles is swift, and he uses all his mental power to focus on chasing after Priam’s son. Achilles cares nothing of how he feels--other than his righteous pursuit of Hector.
Fagles’ translation of Homer’s Iliad exemplifies violence through emotional, physical, and mental strife. He uses violence to show the reader the great lengths these warriors went to in order to achieve their goal. Achilles and Hector are both great fighters, however Achilles’ rage sets him over the edge and his violence become superior to anything Hector could ever
The scene in which Achilles murders Hector reflects firstly emotional violence. Hector begs Achilles to have mercy on his body, but Achilles is not persuaded Hector pleads, “...Come, we’ll swear to the gods, the highest …show more content…
The mental violence is hard to find in this scene, but it is hidden in between the woven reeds of the two previously mentioned violences. The mental violence puts pressure on the great heroes to fight well and without too much thought. Achilles puts all his mental strength into physically beating Hector; while Hector spends his mental strength in finding way to dissuade Achilles from being all but too harsh on his body. Achilles is ready to use all his mental violence on this one fight; he swiftly pursues his prey wherever he may run too. Achilles when Hector flees, “... Achilles went for him, fast, sure of his speed as the wild mountain hawk…” (Fagles 546) Achilles is swift, and he uses all his mental power to focus on chasing after Priam’s son. Achilles cares nothing of how he feels--other than his righteous pursuit of Hector.
Fagles’ translation of Homer’s Iliad exemplifies violence through emotional, physical, and mental strife. He uses violence to show the reader the great lengths these warriors went to in order to achieve their goal. Achilles and Hector are both great fighters, however Achilles’ rage sets him over the edge and his violence become superior to anything Hector could ever