Archetypes In The Odyssey

Improved Essays
Why is it that almost every story you read sounds the same. There's always a hero, a villain, a damsel in distress, and some sort of epic journey. The reason for this being that almost all novels share a common theme. These themes are called Archetypes. One of the most famous character archetypes is the great hero. The hero, often referred to as the great warrior, is known for his tenacity, devotion, and bravery. A true warrior is a protector of his land and his people. He is a noble champion and acts with honor and bravery, and he bows to no one. In Homer's The Iliad, Hector is a prime example of a true warrior. He is the greatest Trojan warrior of all time, only fighting for the safety and honor of Troy. He displays bravery up until his ultimate demise. Hector …show more content…
Hector would do anything to defend Troy. It is his homeland and he protected it to the death. “Fight for home and country—that is the best, the only omen!” (173). Not only is he protective of his city but he is extremely protective of his family. Hector loves his wife and children endlessly. He even shows love and forgiveness towards his brother Paris. He shows utter loyalty towards the things that matter to him the most. He is selfless on his efforts to save his city and his family. Hector is the ultimate protector of not only his family, but the entire city of Troy.

A warrior has to be honorable and act as a noble champion. Hector is one of the most honorable character in The Iliad. “If it is true that brilliant Achilleus is risen beside their ships, then the worse for him if he tries it, since I for my part will not run from him out of the sorrowful battle, but rather stand fast, to see if he wins the great glory, or if I can win it.” (308) He stays true to his believes and is trustworthy. Hector is a nobleman, born to the King Priam and Queen Hecuba. Although he is born into royalty he still fights for the common

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    He was the next heir to the throne before his brother Paris. Hector was the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War and the favorite of the Greek god Apollo. He was seen by the city as the leader of…

    • 426 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are very few epic heroes in the trojan war. There are two of them that stand out and their names are Hector and Achilles. Achilles is the hero form Greece. Hector is the hero from Troy. Achilles is the much better choice of the two.…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Weaknesses In The Odyssey

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages

    An instance where his bravery truly shines is when he and his crew “with [their] brand [he and his crew] bored that great eye socket while blood ran out around the red-hot bar’ (Od.9.164-165). They bravely stabbed the cyclops’ eye, risking being killed be the monster’s wrath. The bold Odysseus saves his crew by using his bravery to blind Polyphemus and granted themselves a way out of the cave. Furthermore, after Antonious’s death the returned king and his beloved son began to kill the other one hundred suitors “while torn men mourned at death, and blood ran smoking over the whole floor…” (Od.22.1302-1303).…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Since Hector killed Patroclus, thinking it was Achilles, he thought he was even more powerful. Then he realized it was not Achilles so he became even more determined to kill him which, also made Achilles mad that Hector killed his cousin. Hector then says, “For me it would be a great deal better to meet Achilles man to man, kill him, and go home, or get killed before the city, dying in glory (The Iliad, book 22 lines 136-139) .” This proves that it would be nice if Hector could kill Achilles.…

    • 1525 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Kleos In The Iliad

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Warriors of ancient Greece were considered heroes by following the Heroic Code of excellence. The achieved this by establishing their fame and glory or kleos. It was not an easy task to become a Grecian hero. Building and maintaining kleos meant that a warrior must be strong, face and kill his enemies, and most of all value his honor over his life. The most important act of honor for the warrior was to die in battle.…

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Achilles abuses Hector’s body, dragging it around his dead companion’s tomb. The differences between heroes are not existed in their end only. Their personalities were quite different. Even Hector is the best general of the Troy, he is just a person, not a demigod like…

    • 1204 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hector strives to be courageous, in opposition to Achilles, who strives to have glory. As Hector leaves his wife knowing he will not return, he shows great courage saying, “but I could not show my face before the men or the women of Troy if I skulk like a coward out of the way” as he marches to his death (82). Homer sings that Achilles does not hunger for food, but instead hungers for glory, for when Patroclos fights in Achilles’ armor, Achilles’ tells Patroclos, “you may win honour and glory for me” (189). Even the courage in Hector, “Zeus increases in men or diminishes, according to his will, for he is lord of all”(240). Regardless of what strive the heroes, Hector and Achilles’ temper controls their actions and hardens their hearts.…

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Arete In The Iliad

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages

    You can see Hector’s courage and bravery in this passage because he chooses to leave to battle over his wife and son. This was very self-sacrificing of him and proves his loyalty to his country and duty. Men in the Iliad were expected to be heroic and loyal and if they did not fulfill this then they were seen as cowards like Hector told his wife (III. 521). Hector love his family dearly, but he knows he has to go to battle in order for his wife and son to be know as the wife and son of the bravest…

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.…

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Achilles Tragic Hero

    • 1115 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hector faced death at first with some cowardice. Achilles chased Hector around the city a few times before the actual battle ensued. Hector was left to die by the gods and Hector fought valiantly until death came.…

    • 1115 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After a decisive defeat in battle Hector still manages to inspire the Trojans to not give up and hide behind the walls of Troy; instead he manages to inspire the Trojans to stay outside and prepare for the coming fight (XVIII. 331-360). Hector’s ability to inspire his troops while the situation looks bleak is greater than any of the other leaders. All of the other leaders are not able to inspire their men to the extent Hector can with only their words. Hector is by far the most inspiring of all of the leaders, Greek or…

    • 1242 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    One of the methods in the Iliad is success in battle, as well as courage to fight. Achilles and Hector are noted as great fighters, and both of them greatly affect a battle with their presence. Achilles’ decision to abstain from the fighting because he was slighted by Agamemnon carried enough weight to force consideration of defeat. “Glorious Hector”, who was ever the bravest fighter of the Trojans. His brother Paris, on the other hand, must be dragged out of the city to fight, causing other Trojans to say shameful things about his…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The image of heroes has changed numerous times throughout history. The epic hero became popularized by epic poems in which an individual embarked on treacherous quests and illustrated desirable traits through their actions. Recently, the modern hero has gained acceptance. This hero displays courage, selflessness, and does the right thing without need for praise or compensation. In The Iliad by Homer, many heroes arise on the battlefield due to their gallant acts on both sides.…

    • 1253 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Honor In The Movie Troy

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Within this document is an analysis of four characters in the movie Troy with a specific focus on four of the essential themes in greek culture (Timé or Honour, Areté or Virtue & Greatness, Kleos or Fame and Legend, and Akleos which means to die without Fame and Honour) and how each character emphasizes one of the aforementioned themes. Timé/Honour (Hector) Throughout the movie Troy the character Hector emphasizes the theme of honour in both his demeanor and his actions. One of Hector's many honourable actions is when he protects his brother Paris after he is easily defeated in combat by the physically superior King Menelaus. Instead of allowing Paris to die by Menelaus’ blade, Hector makes the honourable decision to thrust his own blade…

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Homeric heroes are meant to be skillful, courageous, mighty, determined, and intelligent on battlefields as well as when they are not fighting. Homer, the author of this epic poem, expresses both positive and negative sides of heroism throughout his poem in the form of three warriors: Hector, Achilles, and Paris, who each fight for different purposes and beliefs. Hector, the best warrior of Troy, represents aspects of heroism. He is the prince of Troy who is a dedicated warrior.…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays