Cambridge Hinds
Personal Response Paper
The Opposite of Nostos
Achilles is one of most known heroes of ancient Greek literature; he is one who chooses glory over coming home. By killing Hector, the prince of Troy and it’s greatest soldier, Achilles is the strength of the Greek army that won the war. “Kleos” over “nostos” is Achilles’ choice and his fate, even after Troy is defeated. The idea of leaving home and not coming back for some perceived greater cause can be applied to many literary works and people’s lives, ancient or modern. In certain ways, this applies to my life as well: when I left home to go to school at Snow College. “Homecoming” in Greek is translated as “nostos,” and is more important in some Homeric epics than others. …show more content…
However, the theme of “nostos” is recognized in the Iliad. For instance when Priam, the current king of Troy and father of the fallen Hector, comes to beg Achilles for his son’s body. In the conversation they have, Priam pleads, “Remember your father, godlike Achilles…/ ...he hears that you are still alive/ And his heart rejoices, and he hopes for all his days/ To see his dear son come back from Troy”(The Iliad 283). This ignites a longing for nostos in Achilles: “...sorrow for his own father/ Welled up in Achilles.../ And Achilles cried for his father…”(283). However, Achilles’ want to return home is soon replaced by his need for glory. He believes that staying away from home is better; in his mind he can only stay a hero if he doesn’t return home. As he says earlier, “My honor comes from Zeus, and I will have …show more content…
Very recently, I moved away from home and my family to start college; I lived in Smithfield, Utah, and came four hours away to Ephraim. Like Achilles, I have left home for what I believe is a good reason. Achilles’ reason is to win the war, pile on the kleos for himself and become a legend. Mine is getting a good education so I have a better chance of success in the future. Although extremely different, the idea of completing a greater good rather than go to and stay at one’s home, is similar. Another big difference between these two stories is that I visit home relatively often, and will continue to for the rest of my life. Achilles does not have such an option, because traveling home is a bigger journey, and he would be expected to stay for a long time. His glory days would be over if he did, whereas my quintessential future career wouldn’t be
Personal Response Paper
The Opposite of Nostos
Achilles is one of most known heroes of ancient Greek literature; he is one who chooses glory over coming home. By killing Hector, the prince of Troy and it’s greatest soldier, Achilles is the strength of the Greek army that won the war. “Kleos” over “nostos” is Achilles’ choice and his fate, even after Troy is defeated. The idea of leaving home and not coming back for some perceived greater cause can be applied to many literary works and people’s lives, ancient or modern. In certain ways, this applies to my life as well: when I left home to go to school at Snow College. “Homecoming” in Greek is translated as “nostos,” and is more important in some Homeric epics than others. …show more content…
However, the theme of “nostos” is recognized in the Iliad. For instance when Priam, the current king of Troy and father of the fallen Hector, comes to beg Achilles for his son’s body. In the conversation they have, Priam pleads, “Remember your father, godlike Achilles…/ ...he hears that you are still alive/ And his heart rejoices, and he hopes for all his days/ To see his dear son come back from Troy”(The Iliad 283). This ignites a longing for nostos in Achilles: “...sorrow for his own father/ Welled up in Achilles.../ And Achilles cried for his father…”(283). However, Achilles’ want to return home is soon replaced by his need for glory. He believes that staying away from home is better; in his mind he can only stay a hero if he doesn’t return home. As he says earlier, “My honor comes from Zeus, and I will have …show more content…
Very recently, I moved away from home and my family to start college; I lived in Smithfield, Utah, and came four hours away to Ephraim. Like Achilles, I have left home for what I believe is a good reason. Achilles’ reason is to win the war, pile on the kleos for himself and become a legend. Mine is getting a good education so I have a better chance of success in the future. Although extremely different, the idea of completing a greater good rather than go to and stay at one’s home, is similar. Another big difference between these two stories is that I visit home relatively often, and will continue to for the rest of my life. Achilles does not have such an option, because traveling home is a bigger journey, and he would be expected to stay for a long time. His glory days would be over if he did, whereas my quintessential future career wouldn’t be