The hero in The Iliad is portrayed by the duty, honor, and bravery they bestow upon the community in which they live. In the Homeric community there is no better way for a hero to be honor then to die in battle, especially if the hero dies for his community or family. One of the greatest heroes of the time is Achilles, who was the son of Thetis, a sea goddess, and knight Peleus (Homer 160). With social and culture differences each hero is embodied a certain way. In The Iliad a hero is one of honor and commitment to family and community. A hero does not turn an eye to battle, for he is not a hero if done so. In The Iliad, the hero plays an important role of the whole stories backdrop. In Homeric culture, honor was important in every one’s life. With the duty of every hero needing to fight
…show more content…
It is believe that a hero become who he is because of certain qualities. A hero had to always maintain his modesty before the gods. The hero had to know when the gods wanted him to help and not help. This all depended upon his actions if the hero had failed in doing so he had to live with his actions, within losing his honor. Just as Achilles did when he answered his mother Thetis, “so be it. If Olympian Jove of his own motion thus commands me…,” so has it he was not taking his own advise but that of a god (Homer 184).
Heroes was always afraid of disgrace. Disgrace was not taken lightly in Homeric culture. The hero such as Achilles though of disgrace as a sign of weakness. When Patroclus took Briseis over to the enemy, Achilles cried onto his mother, “Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonor.”(Homer 132) Heroes always feared that the community would not judge them in a good light, if they have been disgraced. The hero always was about the acceptance of the people, not his personal gain, nor his morals. If he lost the support of the community then he would have
It is believe that a hero become who he is because of certain qualities. A hero had to always maintain his modesty before the gods. The hero had to know when the gods wanted him to help and not help. This all depended upon his actions if the hero had failed in doing so he had to live with his actions, within losing his honor. Just as Achilles did when he answered his mother Thetis, “so be it. If Olympian Jove of his own motion thus commands me…,” so has it he was not taking his own advise but that of a god (Homer 184).
Heroes was always afraid of disgrace. Disgrace was not taken lightly in Homeric culture. The hero such as Achilles though of disgrace as a sign of weakness. When Patroclus took Briseis over to the enemy, Achilles cried onto his mother, “Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonor.”(Homer 132) Heroes always feared that the community would not judge them in a good light, if they have been disgraced. The hero always was about the acceptance of the people, not his personal gain, nor his morals. If he lost the support of the community then he would have