The exchange between Hector and his wife, Andromache, adds a warm touch to Iliad. They treat each other with love, tenderness and respect; Homer depicts Hector as a family-orientated man. Andromache knows the drawbacks in Hector’s personality very well; in the dialogue, she points out that Hector is—“reckless” and has self-destroying “fiery courage”.(VI. 482) Despite being the mightiest warrior in the Trojan army, Hector is an imprudent leader, acting arbitrarily and failing to take other’s advices. However, even if Hector had listened to his wife’s suggestion in general, the Troy wouldn’t necessarily be better off because under the command of Hector, it is possible that he makes choice in favour of his personal glory rather than the well-being
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However, Troy wouldn’t necessarily be better off even if Hector had followed to her advice. Because it can be imagined that, if Hector had taken her advice and leaded his army up to hill, he could be provoked by his enemy and make foolish decisions. Similar situation could happen because we cannot ignore the nature of the warrior Hector—impulsive, irrational, emotional, greed of glory, while coward at the same time. But overall, it’s better to have Hector than have no leader; therefore the presence of Hector is significant to Troy even if he makes irrational commands. Therefore, the public good for Troy in this situation is to keep Hector alive because the army need a leader; the private good of Andromache is to also see her husband alive. So although Andromache’s intention of ensuring Hector’s safety is suspicious of being self-interested, she is not putting private interest over public interest, because in this situation, this two goods overlap as they all aim to keep Trojan united by keeping Hector …show more content…
She knows her husband’s drawbacks which are the direct cause of the fall of Trojan army and the death of himself. Hector is a courageous warrior, however, craven sometimes to face his enemy; he is not a successful leader: he always neglect other’s advices if they collide with the pursuit to his definition of honour; he fails to use strategies wisely; he is driven by emotions and desire for honour too easily as well. Troy wouldn’t necessarily be in a favourable situation even if Hector had followed his wife’s advices, for his nature would still lead him to situations out of his control. In this context, the wellbeing of the whole Trojan army and interest of Andromache and family aren’t mutually exclusive—they all want Hector to be alive. Up to his end, Hector still holds on to glory that he values most during his whole life: “My doom has come upon me; let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter.” (XXII.
However, Troy wouldn’t necessarily be better off even if Hector had followed to her advice. Because it can be imagined that, if Hector had taken her advice and leaded his army up to hill, he could be provoked by his enemy and make foolish decisions. Similar situation could happen because we cannot ignore the nature of the warrior Hector—impulsive, irrational, emotional, greed of glory, while coward at the same time. But overall, it’s better to have Hector than have no leader; therefore the presence of Hector is significant to Troy even if he makes irrational commands. Therefore, the public good for Troy in this situation is to keep Hector alive because the army need a leader; the private good of Andromache is to also see her husband alive. So although Andromache’s intention of ensuring Hector’s safety is suspicious of being self-interested, she is not putting private interest over public interest, because in this situation, this two goods overlap as they all aim to keep Trojan united by keeping Hector …show more content…
She knows her husband’s drawbacks which are the direct cause of the fall of Trojan army and the death of himself. Hector is a courageous warrior, however, craven sometimes to face his enemy; he is not a successful leader: he always neglect other’s advices if they collide with the pursuit to his definition of honour; he fails to use strategies wisely; he is driven by emotions and desire for honour too easily as well. Troy wouldn’t necessarily be in a favourable situation even if Hector had followed his wife’s advices, for his nature would still lead him to situations out of his control. In this context, the wellbeing of the whole Trojan army and interest of Andromache and family aren’t mutually exclusive—they all want Hector to be alive. Up to his end, Hector still holds on to glory that he values most during his whole life: “My doom has come upon me; let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter.” (XXII.