Achilles

While many readers may dismiss Achilles as nothing more than “that guy who died because of his heel,” his character is actually quite complex. He is both flawed and worthy of admiration, as the vast majority of all human beings are. His passionate emotions and ambition, as well as his deep sense of justice, create a well-rounded central character with whom the reader can sympathize.
In The Iliad, Achilles seems to feel nothing in half-measures. He is controlled by his very strong and passionate emotional responses in almost every situation. Achilles rages against Agamemnon when the king steals Achilles’s prize, Briseis, back from him. “…the shameless bastard still thinks/He can steal us blind. He doesn’t dare/Show his dogface here” (Book IX, 382-384). In contrast to this anger, he also feels deep love for those he cares about. Upon learning that …show more content…
Speaking to his mother, he promises that even if it will cost him his life, he will avenge Hector’s murder of Petroclus: “You will never again/Welcome me home, since I no longer have the will/ To remain alive among men, not unless Hector/Loses his life on the point of my spear/And pays for despoiling Menoetius’ son” (The Iliad, Book XVIII, 94-98). After striking Hector a mortal blow, Achilles condemns him, saying “So you thought you could get away with it/Didn’t you, Hector?.../…Dogs and birds are going to draw out your guts/While the Greeks give Patroclus burial” (Book XXII, 364-365, 370-371). He will show Hector no mercy, because he believes that Hector was unmerciful to Petroclus. However, when his rage abates, he changes course and grants Hector’s request to return his body to his father, Priam. Achilles, to Hector’s father: “Your son is released, sir, as you ordered” (Book XXIV, 647). He acknowledges their shared grief, and allows Hector’s family to give him their proper burial