Achilles loses his honor immediately in the Iliad, and is hell bent on recovering his honor that was taken from him, by Agamemnon, for the rest of the poem. In the end, Achilles does regain it. His character changes throughout the poem, initially he is selfish, refusing to worry about anyone or anything except his honor, and his close friend Patroclus (rather than his nation as a whole). This selfishness is abandoned by Achilles after meeting with the opposing king, Priam. This shift in character helps him recover his honor. The regaining of his honor is also shown in the games he organizes at the end of the poem, in an attempt to make amends for his actions. The games bring the nation together for peace and competition.
Even though Achilles …show more content…
A ruthless warrior who was once insistent on seeking revenge turns into a gracious host of funeral games in memory of his friend Patroclus. Any conflicts within the funeral games are smoothly defused by Achilles. The games serve as an instrument for Achilles to become honorable in the eyes of his society again. After the games conclude, Achilles is then approached by Priam. Much like Achilles, Priam risks a lot to honor the body of a dead loved one. Both of their actions show the value of honor in their society, and how their understanding of honor stretches beyond death. Priam enters the camp of Achilles in the last book. It would not be unlikely for Achilles to rage and kill Priam, but since regaining his honor he is much more humane and understanding. Unlike the pleads of Hektor, he actually listens to Priam. Priam begs Achilles to glorify the gods and let him have the body of his son, Hektor. Achilles is moved by Priam’s words, reminiscing about how his own father would feel if he had died like Hektor. Together they put away their weapons and mourn the deaths of their loved ones. Achilles lets go of his ego here and finally understands the pain he has caused both Priam and the Greeks, and respects Priam’s perseverance in honoring the body of his son. Showing a sympathetic side to himself unseen by the reader so
Even though Achilles …show more content…
A ruthless warrior who was once insistent on seeking revenge turns into a gracious host of funeral games in memory of his friend Patroclus. Any conflicts within the funeral games are smoothly defused by Achilles. The games serve as an instrument for Achilles to become honorable in the eyes of his society again. After the games conclude, Achilles is then approached by Priam. Much like Achilles, Priam risks a lot to honor the body of a dead loved one. Both of their actions show the value of honor in their society, and how their understanding of honor stretches beyond death. Priam enters the camp of Achilles in the last book. It would not be unlikely for Achilles to rage and kill Priam, but since regaining his honor he is much more humane and understanding. Unlike the pleads of Hektor, he actually listens to Priam. Priam begs Achilles to glorify the gods and let him have the body of his son, Hektor. Achilles is moved by Priam’s words, reminiscing about how his own father would feel if he had died like Hektor. Together they put away their weapons and mourn the deaths of their loved ones. Achilles lets go of his ego here and finally understands the pain he has caused both Priam and the Greeks, and respects Priam’s perseverance in honoring the body of his son. Showing a sympathetic side to himself unseen by the reader so