Hector Vs Andromache Essay

Greek mythologies evoke a theme about the sacred value of one’s honor, and how a man will die for that sake. In the sixth book of the Iliad, Homer portrays Hector and Andromache to be an affectionate couple but also depicts both characters to have incompatible values. Andromache, having lost her immediate family in the war under the hands of Achilles, fears her glorious husband will be next. As much as Andromache supports Hector, she disagrees with his behaviors, “Possessed is what you are, Hector. Your courage is going to kill you, and you have no feeling left for your little boy or for me, the luckless woman who will soon be your widow” (427-130. 78). Andromache worries about their unfortunate future. It’s inevitable that Hector will not have the gods blessing in the Trojan war, but she wants to extend his life span for as long as possible. Their newborn son, Scamandrius, will be left without a father and she is already in too much grief to raise him by herself. However, knowing her husband’s …show more content…
Hector shows awareness of his unfortunate destiny, “Yes, Andromache, I worry about all this myself, but my shame before the Trojans and their wives, with their long robes trailing, would be too terrible if I hung back from battle like a coward” (461-465. 79). He does not want to bear shame on his honor and his family’s honor. His ambitious nature does not allow him to back down from war; else he would be less than a man. Hector foresees his wife suffering but tells her that it’s only temporarily, “And you will work some other woman’s loom in Argos or carry water from a Spartan spring, all against your will, under great duress. And someone, seeing you crying, will say, ‘That is the wife of Hector, the best of all the Trojans when they fought around Ilion.’” (480-185. 79). For his honor in continuing the war, no matter of what the consequences reveal, will be