Achilles and Colin L. Powell Achilles and Colin L. Powell are very similar in many respects figures in the worlds history. Although Achilles is actually a made up hero he represents the whole concept of universal hero, whereas Powell is actual existing person that had his way through many ventures and challenges. In this research we are going to analyze these two figures in terms of their similarities and differences and what impact did they have on their contemporary society. In the modern world, people, as a society, have always given themselves a goal or goals that they would like to attain at some point during their lifetime. Many people seek to attain riches, love, happiness or high stature within society.
When we people set that goal, we tend to mold our lifestyles around it. As people work throughout their lives to achieve this ultimate goal, it becomes apparent to others what it is we are working so hard for. Just as this pattern is evident in modern society, it can also be seen in the times of Homer, particularly in the great Greek epic, the Iliad. This distinct pattern can be seen in Achilles, one of the most vital characters in the story. Achilles, being the ultimate most powerful warrior of all time, wishes for nothing in his life but to be the most glorious man alive, mortal or immortal. It is this profound desire for glory and honors that in the end leads to his demise.
Achilles speech, given while he is distraught over the death of his closest friend Patroklos, is an excellent example of Achilles desire (Iliad, 18.79).
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Patroklos is stormed by Hektor, the Trojans greatest warrior and Achilles main rival. Hektor, takes the armor (given to him by Achilles) off of his dead body, and puts it on himself. Hektor is described as riding around in all its glory. After word of Patroklos death, the Achaians are intensely dejected. To show just how disheartened the Greeks are, Homer describes the men as lamenting.
(Then sighing heavily) my dear companion has perished, Patroklos, whom I loved beyond all other companions, as well as my own lifeThetis spoke to him, letting tears fall (377, Iliad, 18.78).
On the other hand Colin Powell, a four star general; the highest rank in the Army branch has endured a long journey of military life. His history in the military has made him a hero and a role model for those who serve in all military branches and to civilians who admire his triumphs. Colin L. Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in Harlem, New York. His parents, both immigrants from Jamaica, taught Colin the importance of education and personal achievements.
With that in mind Colin Powell graduated from high school in 1954. He went on to college at city college of New York to study geology. It was there; during his studies of geology that Colin L. Powell began his military journey. An old distinguished building had somehow got his eyes on his way to school; it was a drill hall for the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
He enrolled in the program a short time after he discovered it.
For the next four years it became Colins focus of life. He became a cadet in the ROTC and learned the discipline, structure and the camaraderie that the military enforces. (Guzman) Colin Powel was very similar to Achilles because he had executed three years of active duty and he came to realize that it was all he knew. Despite having a degree in Geology Colin knew nothing else but soldering. He made the decision to continue hes military journey. Now making $360 a month Colin was determined to go as far as hes talent in the Army would take him. He continued to serve his country with all its flaws and with all his heart. Colin had gone back home to get married once again.
He married Alma and shortly after their marriage the Army called for Colins presence at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He took a Military Assistance Training advisor course. The course lasted five weeks; he studied and learned French colonial history, methods of communist takeovers and some Vietnamese phrases. Colin was then promoted to Captain and was now headed to Vietnam. He left his wife and unborn child behind. On Christmas morning in 1962, Colin arrived in Saigon. He was to serve as an advisor to the four hundred-man in the 2d battalion 3d Infantry regiment of the 1st Division in A Shau.
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Colins journey to Vietnam made him discover and experience many things that he yet still hadnt seen in the Army. He received his orders shortly after his arrival to A Shau base camp; operation grasshopper was in effect. (Guzman) Colin had become a Major shortly before his tour back to Vietnam. His excellence in the command and General Staff College, ranking number two, had caused him to be taken out of his orders as an executive officer and to be placed as a plan Officer for the division commander. He had gone from looking after eight hundred men to planning warfare for nearly eighteen thousand troops, artillery units, aviation battalions, and a fleet of 450 helicopters in a single night. Colin was planning missions and serving them too.
On November 16, Colin Powell had gone down in a plane crash with several other officers and troops. On a Saturday afternoon, flying west of Quang Ngai the airplane he had been riding in went down. Colin had suffered from some lacerations, bruises, and a broken ankle; yet he heroically had managed to save his fellow troops from harms way of the helicopters engine blowing up. He received the soldiers medal for that heroic act. After a year in Vietnam, a year where Colin saw what war between men can do, he finally went back home on July 20, 1969. Colin was considered to be a man of war and he still is because he was participating in most of the battles that were faced by the United States.
Whereas Achilles was a battle man for his nation during his time period, and was regarded as national hero. He already regarded as the greatest fighter, speaks of Hektor not in a degrading manner, rather in a respectful manner, taking into account his numerous heroic feats. my other companions, who in their numbers went down before the glorious Hektor (378, Iliad, 18.102).
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Homer wrote this line as if he were a promoter of a boxing fight. He lifts the strength of Hektors character, and in doing so makes for a more rivaled battle. At this point in the passage, Achilles in a sense forewarns every one of his intentions, that no mortal, immortal or fear of death is going to stand in his way of his goal. If such is the fate which has been wrought for me, shall lie still, when I am dead.
Now I must win excellent glory (378, Iliad, 18.120).
Within the conceptual standpoint we may conclude that the two figures were very similar and controversial. Colin Powel is good at war craft because he usually ends up missions in short period of time and with minor losses. Achilles was a prominent fighter of his time period but he had no armies under his control and most of his actions were not mass. Achilles had his weaker characteristics and that was a spot on his body where he could have been killed at. Achilles ultimate goal in life was not to be wealthy, not happy; rather, he was constantly in seeking of glory. So much so, that he also paid the ultimate price with his life.
Some modern day people may think that Achilles was an insane man, who did not apply any logic to his actions. However, these same people fail to realize that in that time period, Homers time, dying with honor and glory was heavily preferred over living in shame. And Achilles took this concept too its highest level, sacrificing life for glory. Colin did not show his weaker point yet but rather he showed an attitude of a real warrior. This means that he changed his views concerning war craft to a position of rather avoiding conflicts than resolving them. Colin was assigned to numerous high positions in the white house and finally achieving the position of Secretary of state. He travels to many different states and countries to try to obtain peace between potential war enemies. He has meticulously achieved deals of peace in many countries of the world.
The Essay on Spoils Of War Achilles Honor Glory
Achilles' Anger and Unreconciliation: Reassessing the Concepts of Mortality and Honor The subject of Homer's epic poem, the Iliad, is very clearly stated-it is "the rage of Peleus's on Achilles." The reader remains continually aware of the extent of Achilles' rage, yet is never told the reason why Achilles remains angry and unreconciled. There is no definitive answer to this question. Achilles is ...
His military experience has helped him with the knowledge of many successful military missions and plans to conquer peace. His journeys today in the military still continue as a soldier and as a man of honor.
Bibliography:
Finley, William. U.S. Foreign Policy. Daily Observer, March 12, 2003. Guzman, Christopher.
Challenges of a battle man: Colin Powell. From Ontario Statesman Magazine, issue April 2000. Evslin, Bernard. Greeks Bearing Gifts: The Epics of Achilles and Ulysses New York: Four winds press, 1976 Koestler, Arthur. The Heel of Achilles: Essays 1968-1973 Random House New York 1973 Parker, Victoria. Homer, Iliad.
2nd Reprint Oxford University Press, 1985..
