Does the best hero make a good citizen? I do not believe so. For instance, Achilles may be known as the best warrior, but his actions don’t reflect any good citizenship. In my opinion, Achilles’ actions have been petty and immature. This all starts with Agamemnon taking Briseis and Achilles being mad and removing himself from war until further notice. I think that a good citizen should be one that is selfless and willing to do things for the greater good, even if it means sacrificing a little bit of themselves.
Even after the pleas of Agamemnon through Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix Achilles still refuses to go and continues to watch the battle from a distance. I think that Nestor is a balance of both a good citizen, as well as a great hero (even though he may not be regarded as such, just more of a warrior).
He understands that his role in society has shifted from being a warrior to more of an advisor to the other soldiers. An example of this is one that we have discussed in class: the duel with hector.
He decided not to even volunteer himself because he knows he is no match to him now. While he is not what he once was, he continues to gain respect from those currently fighting. Although there are examples of those who fulfill being a good citizen, as well as a being seen as a hero. In book six we read about the encounters he has with his wife and son, its clear to see that he loves them deeply. Perhaps if he was given a choice he would stay with them rather than go back to war; but he understands his duty as a warrior, and protector of troy that he must go back for the sake of his people.
The Essay on Achilles A Hero No More
ACHILLES: A HERO NO MORE In the introduction of the Essential Illiad given by Sheila Murnaghan, Achilles is labeled as "the greatest of the Greek heroes." In classic mythology a hero is a person of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits and is often the offspring of a mortal and a god. Achilles was the greatest fighter among the Greeks or Trojans and feared no man in battle. He ...
