Epic heroes take part in dangerous adventures and accomplish great deeds. They’re larger than life figures who embodies the ideals of a nation or race. Epic heroes are mostly known for their bravery and how they are adored for their great achievements. Achilles and Beowulf are known to be one of the best epic heroes, both very oriented to getting glory, both have a enemy in which they defeat, and both were great warriors when it came to war.…
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.…
The rise and fall of Achilles The main character in Homer’s book The Iliad is Achilles, who is a great warrior, vengeful, petty and proud. The problem he faces in the poem is that he’s very driven by the thirst of become glory to have his name known for many years. Achilles is a flawed character who cannot controlled his pride/ rage when his pride was injured; therefore causes him to leave his fellow comrades to die because of his actions.…
Even though Achilles was the primary focus of the poem Hector was a hero that represent both epic and everyday hero. Before Achille's revenge duel for his best friend Patroclus Hector stated "I'll not insult your corpse should Zeus allow me victory in the end, your life as prize. Once I have your gear, I'll give your body back to Achaeans. Grant me too, this grace." (The Iliad 82-85) at that time period honor was very important to the Greeks especially if it were a noble or someone part of the royal family.…
Achilles’ aim to avenge the death of Patroclus by killing Hector is significant because even in a time when most would be mourning and concerned with the death of a friend, Achilles is also concerned with achieving kleos. This proves how important kleos is to gods in the Greek world. Additionally, Hector is concerned with his kleos, which can be seen just prior to his death when he begs for Achilles to “give [his] body to friends to carry home again so Trojan men and Trojan women can do me with fitting right of fire once [he is] dead” (22.399). Hector fears that mutilating his body will cause him to lose his kleos, even after death.…
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…
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.…
Although Achilles made the right decision, it was for the wrong reasons. Instead of acting mature when Agamemnon insulted him and helping the Greeks defeat the Trojans without excessive bloodshed, he selfishly elected to stay in his tent, just to spite Agamemnon. Thus causing scores of his fellow countrymen, who have done Achilles no injustice, to be decimated by Hector’s sword. He had the ability to save countless lives on both sides of the war, but rather than use his prowess on the field of combat, he used it to fuel his ego. He was so obsessed with his honor he let men from the army he was supposed to be leading.…
You will eat your heart out, raging with remote for this dishonour done by you to the rarest of Achaeans (A 289-295) In this speech, it shows how much Achilles values honour and the amount of hatred he had towards Agamemnon who dishonoured him. This was caused due to Agamemnon who took Briseis, his symbol of pride. Because his symbol of pride was taken away, Achilles grew in rage and did not participate in the war. Overall, personal honour and excellence plays a main role in the warrior’s motivations, like Hector who fights to fulfill his duty and to fight for his family.…
From the very beginning of Homer's the Iliad, Achilles is depicted as vindictive, prideful, and trifling. As the book advances, the picture of Achilles as a resentful youngster is improved significantly. Towards the end of the epic, Achilles displays qualities that are viewed as courageous even in today's time. When his reliable and trusted companion Patroclus passes on, Achilles experiences an extreme change in character. When he goes up against the genuine repulsiveness of death, Achilles sets aside his juvenile approaches to satisfy his obligation to his companion, his countrymen, and his inner voice.…
He spares no one and continues to display inhuman characteristics through his lack of compassion for anyone and everyone (Il. 20.482-483 and 21.103-104). Eventually the battle ends with the inevitable death of Hector. Hector’s body needs to be returned to the Trojans, as there are many people who will mourn Hector (Il. 22.60-61). However, Achilles refuses his dying wish to return his body and Hector utters some of his final words to “Your heart is a lump of iron…’” (Il. 22.396-397).…
It was a big mistake when Hector killed Patroclus, it awakened the rage in Achilles. Achilles would of not joined the battle if Patroclus was still alive. Achilles is the strongest part of the greek army and Hector brought him back into the battle. Hector could of taken any other greek on, including the mighty Ajax.…
The hero Hector's death causes immeasurable pain to his family. At this point, Achilles has passed the “Reward” stage of his journey and continues to destroy Hector's corpse to ease his pain of losing Patroclus. One can see this behavior as a step away from his progress in the Hero’s journey. Eventually, only because the Gods expressed their disappointment at Achilles’ behavior to his mother, does Achilles agree to give Hector's body back to his family.…
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.…
By saying Homer reveals that Achilles is maturing in front of us by admitting that he was wrong to retreat from battle while his countrymen fought on. He also gives Hector’s body back to the grieving Priam as penance out of respect for both the Trojan king and prince. Achilles acknowledging his wrong actions clashes with the personality he paraded in previous books. He is unveiling his humanity through emotions like misery and…