Is the Iliad a tale of a hero? I keep contemplating whether or not Achilles is a great hero who saves his country or if he is just a selfish warrior who wants to gain glory through warfare. War is a harsh and gruesome event and I don’t know if a hero can exist in such conditions? Achilles kills Hector and many others and the story attempts to portray his actions as heroic. I find it difficult to admire a man who waits till his best friend dies to get involved in the war. Achilles is a man whose ego prevents him from fighting in the war and sits aside as his fellow Trojans die. Achilles is a great warrior, but he is not an honorable or loyal human being. I understand that the end of the Iliad represents Achilles grand power and skills as a warrior, but his brutal killing of Hector is appalling and not in accordance with the actions of a hero.
Regardless of Achilles mindset and actions, the Iliad constantly pushes the idea of honor and respect in warfare. There is a reason who the Trojans and Achaeans believe death in battle is a great honor. The battlefield represents an arena for warriors to show their loyalty for their country and die defending their fellow brothers and sisters. True, many warriors fight to gain glory, but I believe that glory is not the essential motive for people. War is not a one on one contest in which the greatest single warrior is named the victor. War during these times was often a numbers game and a large army was very valuable. I find it hard to believe that every individual fights to gain glory. Many soldiers probably go into war with the mindset that they are going to die if they are on the front line. But, there is a certain degree of respect that makes this war seems valuable. The leaders of the Trojans and Achaeans exchange gifts after a day of battle. An agreement is made to return the dead to the respective countries in order to have proper burials for the fallen soldiers. However barbaric war may be these actions are what make this battle honorable and worthwhile. Soldiers are inspired to fight to the death in an effort to protect their country and participate in a battle of respect and honor. If a soldier is killed he knows that he will be given the proper burial for a respectable and grand after life. Achilles actions are in direct contrast to everything the war represents. He drags Hector’s body from his horse and completely destroys the body. Achilles does not show the integrity and honor of a great warrior.
Achilles is a great warrior, but his actions cannot be justified. The end of the Iliad simply describes Achilles’ talents as a warrior, but fails to glorify his actions as a hero. Fighting skills alone do not make one a hero. Achilles has god like abilities, but does not possess the qualities of a hero.
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2 comments:
I feel bad that no one's posted a comment here, so here goes my 10th.
I agree completely. Achilles is a great warrior and a crappy human being. But in war which would you choose? Here's something of a watered down analogy. Terrell Owens is a great receiver but he's an a-hole. Is his locker room disturbance outweighed by his skills on the field? Is Achilles hit on morale outweighed by his fighting skill? Frankly the Illiad doesn't depict achilles as being bad for morale, but being the jerk he was, he probably got under somebody's skin.
Me to Ed. Good stuff Shanil. You have to also see how war has developed during time. During the Trojan war, yes it was a big war with two huge armies, but with the hand to hand combat it is a individual war between two men. Who is going to win, kill or be killed. Also you have to see at what you have in your army to work with, During WWII the Russians had one thing working for them, lots and lots of disposable people. In the move, Enemy at the Gates, the first scene is Jude Law charging at a defensive position that the Germans have set up and he has no gun so he would have to take one off of a dead person. That is so messed up stuff. Also when you start talking about huge armies, people never remember those who died, but what you take from a war are some heros and those people especially back then you have to set those heros on pedestal so people can try to live up to a figure and achieve their full glory.
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