Achilles vs Society
Achilles and societies commitment to battle can be viewed as an obsession as the fighting for Troy rages on for ten years. The conflict over “fair-haired Helen” is nothing more than a barbarous war were the goal is based on the individual to earn the respect of others (9.346). Throughout his quest, Achilles shows his continual belief in Greek societal norms, but after his honor is earned and then quickly taken by greedy Agamemnon his belief in the system begins to fade and leads to unconventional behavior. Achilles journey shouldn’t be judged by the places he goes, the warriors he fights or the prizes he earns, but should be seen as the person that Achilles becomes. When Achilles loses his “prize” and goes into a state …show more content…
Achilles gains this new outlook on life only because of his rejection of honor. Proven earlier, honor was seen as the highest value by Greek society, it overruled the importance of life suggesting that dying with honor is more important than living without honor explained by Achilles own personnel statement of honor being immortal while the breath of life will eventually be taken out of everyone (266.427). It can be argued that life was expendable to the Greeks and was exhibited by the must have attitudes were soldiers would risk their lives by fighting to loot cities (9.337) as well as the gruesomeness description of the Greeks who were said to be “black and murderous.”, a description clearly showing their disregard for life (1.2) Because Achilles no longer has a need for honor, the importance of life replaces honor on Achilles list of values. Achilles notes how nothing is equivalent to the value of life, an idea that would have never entered his mind prior to his prize being stolen from him.(9.415). Achilles becomes hypocritical once again as he explains how the relationship between object and life are incomparable, life being something that “Cannot be won back”, a complete 180 from his previous thought of mind were the exchange of honor for life was acceptable (9.421). Throughout the text, Achilles re-instates his views and displays his confidence in them by stating the “Wealthiest cities in the …show more content…
When Achilles rejects the honor code he does it openly toward Odysseus, Phoenix, Ajax and a few other messengers whom were shocked by the news, so much so that Phoenix began to sob begging for Achilles to reverse his mind, showing unlightment with Achilles and the mens thoughts (9.443) (9.445) This event has a larger implication than just a few men disagreeing with one another. The larger Greek society is represented through these men because of the limited amount of characters the audience is exposed to. Because these men were shocked by the values it can be inferred that the rest of society is equally shocked. The men were so distraught by Achilles turn around that they begin to plead that Achilles not speak that way clearly showing Achilles violation of societies norms and lack of society to conform to his new ideas.(9.726) Agamemnon and his Greek camp represents a much larger part of society, whom were also stunned by the news about Achilles. The Greek Camps actions falls in line with those of the messengers which reiterates their representation of Greek society. Because Achilles has acquired opposite views with society, once a near perfect fit into Greek society, he has now become a social outcast with beliefs that won’t allow him to assimilate with Greeks. Not only did the Greeks not conform to Achilles thought, they were indifferent to it and continued with the
Achilles and societies commitment to battle can be viewed as an obsession as the fighting for Troy rages on for ten years. The conflict over “fair-haired Helen” is nothing more than a barbarous war were the goal is based on the individual to earn the respect of others (9.346). Throughout his quest, Achilles shows his continual belief in Greek societal norms, but after his honor is earned and then quickly taken by greedy Agamemnon his belief in the system begins to fade and leads to unconventional behavior. Achilles journey shouldn’t be judged by the places he goes, the warriors he fights or the prizes he earns, but should be seen as the person that Achilles becomes. When Achilles loses his “prize” and goes into a state …show more content…
Achilles gains this new outlook on life only because of his rejection of honor. Proven earlier, honor was seen as the highest value by Greek society, it overruled the importance of life suggesting that dying with honor is more important than living without honor explained by Achilles own personnel statement of honor being immortal while the breath of life will eventually be taken out of everyone (266.427). It can be argued that life was expendable to the Greeks and was exhibited by the must have attitudes were soldiers would risk their lives by fighting to loot cities (9.337) as well as the gruesomeness description of the Greeks who were said to be “black and murderous.”, a description clearly showing their disregard for life (1.2) Because Achilles no longer has a need for honor, the importance of life replaces honor on Achilles list of values. Achilles notes how nothing is equivalent to the value of life, an idea that would have never entered his mind prior to his prize being stolen from him.(9.415). Achilles becomes hypocritical once again as he explains how the relationship between object and life are incomparable, life being something that “Cannot be won back”, a complete 180 from his previous thought of mind were the exchange of honor for life was acceptable (9.421). Throughout the text, Achilles re-instates his views and displays his confidence in them by stating the “Wealthiest cities in the …show more content…
When Achilles rejects the honor code he does it openly toward Odysseus, Phoenix, Ajax and a few other messengers whom were shocked by the news, so much so that Phoenix began to sob begging for Achilles to reverse his mind, showing unlightment with Achilles and the mens thoughts (9.443) (9.445) This event has a larger implication than just a few men disagreeing with one another. The larger Greek society is represented through these men because of the limited amount of characters the audience is exposed to. Because these men were shocked by the values it can be inferred that the rest of society is equally shocked. The men were so distraught by Achilles turn around that they begin to plead that Achilles not speak that way clearly showing Achilles violation of societies norms and lack of society to conform to his new ideas.(9.726) Agamemnon and his Greek camp represents a much larger part of society, whom were also stunned by the news about Achilles. The Greek Camps actions falls in line with those of the messengers which reiterates their representation of Greek society. Because Achilles has acquired opposite views with society, once a near perfect fit into Greek society, he has now become a social outcast with beliefs that won’t allow him to assimilate with Greeks. Not only did the Greeks not conform to Achilles thought, they were indifferent to it and continued with the