In Homer’s The Iliad not only is Achilles the main character, he is also the perfect depiction of what a self-sufficient man looks like. Sometimes we get the idea that we are able to accomplish and conquer anything without help. To add on, the point of human interaction is to create human empowerment. Human empowerment is the ability to come together as a unified whole. Thus when you are unified together as a group you can conquer, solve and learn from one another. Human interaction is also important for sanity and our abilities to understand our purpose/fate. However in The Iliad, Achilles son of the mortal Peleus (father) and the sea nymph Thetis (mother) seems to believe that he does not need anyone but himself. Achilles has this belief
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Achilles is set in a time of war, war is meant to be a communal effort. In terms of The Iliad Achilles is put under the command of Agamemnon and is supposed to present his loyalty to Menelaus and Agamemnon. Once Agamemnon takes Briseis away from Achilles, it seems as if his ego has immediately diminished and his pride has been lost. Briseis is a symbol of a prize in the eyes of a warrior, once Achilles is stripped of his prize he withdraws from the war and unleashes his beast like wrath on Agamemnon. In ancient Greece honor means everything to a soldier. “Look at the endless miles that lie between us, shadowy mountain ranges, seas that surge and thunder...we all followed you...to win your honor back...you dog-faced. What do you care? You don 't look right or left, now you threaten to strip me of my prize in person the one I fought for long and hard.” (The Iliad Lines 184-192 Book 1). This is the beginning of the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles that lasts a long period of time throughout The Iliad. In this statement Achilles is confronting his commander; he defies the idea of questioning authority. Furthermore Achilles proves that he is furious and in his own domain at this moment, calling Agamemnon and Menelaus “dog-faced” for basically fueling this war. This portion of the book portrays Achilles taking control of not the war but of himself. He is no longer going to be commanded or ordered around. If Achilles cannot get his way then no one can win. Without Achilles in the front lines of the battles, the Trojan War is extended over more time. Achilles taking charge of his own actions shows his God like features, selfish and does not need to ask for permission to do anything. This great warrior doesn 't see Agamemnon as his commander rather he portrays him as a person who feeds off the benefits of other soldiers. Both Agamemnon the leader and Achilles the “soldier” are at two different
Achilles is set in a time of war, war is meant to be a communal effort. In terms of The Iliad Achilles is put under the command of Agamemnon and is supposed to present his loyalty to Menelaus and Agamemnon. Once Agamemnon takes Briseis away from Achilles, it seems as if his ego has immediately diminished and his pride has been lost. Briseis is a symbol of a prize in the eyes of a warrior, once Achilles is stripped of his prize he withdraws from the war and unleashes his beast like wrath on Agamemnon. In ancient Greece honor means everything to a soldier. “Look at the endless miles that lie between us, shadowy mountain ranges, seas that surge and thunder...we all followed you...to win your honor back...you dog-faced. What do you care? You don 't look right or left, now you threaten to strip me of my prize in person the one I fought for long and hard.” (The Iliad Lines 184-192 Book 1). This is the beginning of the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles that lasts a long period of time throughout The Iliad. In this statement Achilles is confronting his commander; he defies the idea of questioning authority. Furthermore Achilles proves that he is furious and in his own domain at this moment, calling Agamemnon and Menelaus “dog-faced” for basically fueling this war. This portion of the book portrays Achilles taking control of not the war but of himself. He is no longer going to be commanded or ordered around. If Achilles cannot get his way then no one can win. Without Achilles in the front lines of the battles, the Trojan War is extended over more time. Achilles taking charge of his own actions shows his God like features, selfish and does not need to ask for permission to do anything. This great warrior doesn 't see Agamemnon as his commander rather he portrays him as a person who feeds off the benefits of other soldiers. Both Agamemnon the leader and Achilles the “soldier” are at two different