The Qualified Unqualified Greek Warrior Throughout the gamut of literature, the heroic archetype of the warrior is ubiquitous in multiple stories around the world. From the Iliad to the Man of Beautiful Beard Rides on A Solitary Journey, the hero as a warrior is depicted as a symbol of god-like, special birth, great strength and intelligence, and a triumphant victory. In the Iliad, Achilles--the greatest warrior the Greeks--embodies all of these qualities; furthermore, the attributes produce a historical lens which teach the reader: (1) a different time periods’ cultural values and (2) their norms. In the Iliad, Achilles is the greatest Greek warrior the world has ever seen. He perfectly depicts the values of the ancient Greek when he states,
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Achilles, also, denotes a rageful behavior in the Iliad numerous times which represents his downfall. After winning Briseis as a war prize, Agamemnon browbeats Achilles into giving her back. Agamemnon states, “I will myself come to your tent and take the fair-cheeked Briseis, your prize, so that you will understand how much mightier I am than you” (Book I, 185). In Greek society, it was very common for a great warrior to be gifted a wife as a war prize for victory. Agamemnon gave Briseis to Achilles for his victories in war; however, Agamemnon wants her back which enrages Achilles, and causes Achilles to not join the battle until much later in the epic. The Greek people would both agree and disagree with Achilles for two reasons: (1) Achilles rightfully won Briseis and should not have had her taken away, and (2) he should not have been rageful and joined his fellow brothers in war. Moreover, Achilles refuses to battle and join the war numerous occasions. For example, Achilles refuses to help Patroclus when Patroclus comes to him for help. Once again, Achilles jettisons his brothers and still refuses to fight. From a Greek perspective, these actions are exemplary of a coward, and the Greeks would strongly disagree with his actions. Additionally, these actions are in contrast with the heroic archetype of a warrior because a warrior is strong and
Achilles, also, denotes a rageful behavior in the Iliad numerous times which represents his downfall. After winning Briseis as a war prize, Agamemnon browbeats Achilles into giving her back. Agamemnon states, “I will myself come to your tent and take the fair-cheeked Briseis, your prize, so that you will understand how much mightier I am than you” (Book I, 185). In Greek society, it was very common for a great warrior to be gifted a wife as a war prize for victory. Agamemnon gave Briseis to Achilles for his victories in war; however, Agamemnon wants her back which enrages Achilles, and causes Achilles to not join the battle until much later in the epic. The Greek people would both agree and disagree with Achilles for two reasons: (1) Achilles rightfully won Briseis and should not have had her taken away, and (2) he should not have been rageful and joined his fellow brothers in war. Moreover, Achilles refuses to battle and join the war numerous occasions. For example, Achilles refuses to help Patroclus when Patroclus comes to him for help. Once again, Achilles jettisons his brothers and still refuses to fight. From a Greek perspective, these actions are exemplary of a coward, and the Greeks would strongly disagree with his actions. Additionally, these actions are in contrast with the heroic archetype of a warrior because a warrior is strong and