In Homers The Iliad there appears to be some controversy over who the true epic hero might be. We have heard many arguments supporting Achilles as the Epic Hero, and since The Iliad does indeed say The Story of Achilles I believe that Achilles is an easy character for people to associate as the epic hero. Although many people have cited Achilles as having superhuman strength and various other physical attributes, he appears to be lacking the qualities of a real Homeric Epic Hero. A Homeric Epic Hero must demonstrate all of the following three requirements in order for them to truly be considered an Epic Hero. A character must believe that men have to stand together in battle; men had to respect each other; and they had to refrain from excessive cruelty. This last condition was considered to be critically important for the Epic Hero. A true Epic Hero loathed deliberate acts of cruelty, defamation, and injustice. An Epic Hero believed that if they were to kill an opponent it must be done quickly. There was to be no mutilation of any kind because it reflected poorly upon the victor and the victors community.
In the following paragraphs you will see how Achilles breaks all three rules/requirements of an epic hero, and upon doing so relinquishes any right he has to be called an Epic Hero. The first requirement of an Epic Hero is that he believes that men should stand together in battle. Achilles is a great warrior with superhuman strength, but when Briseis, Achilles war prize, is stripped from him by Agamemnon he proceeds to throw a temper tantrum. Achilles cares no more about standing alongside his fellow Greek warriors because he has been disrespected by Agamemnon. Homer does an excellent job of making most readers sympathize with Achilles, until around book nine when Patroklos is killed in battle. It is not until nine books of brooding and pouting passed for Achilles to realize how selfish and immature he was behaving.
The Essay on Epic Hero Beowulf Achilleus Battle
Beowulf – Epic Hero Comparison Essay, Research Beowulf – Epic Hero Comparison Martin D. Villarreal British Literature Mrs. DeLong 11 October 2000 (Beowulf Analysis) Epic Hero Comparison It is very odd that two men who appear so different can be as similar as Beowulf and Achilleus. They each have a distinct code of honor, an avid need for recognition of their deeds, and both victorious ...
Not until the death of his beloved companion, which he was an indirect cause of, does he decide to return to the battlefield. Even his intentions to return to the battlefield are not philanthropic in their nature. Achilles feels guilty about Patroklos death and wants to avenge his friends death more for personal reasons than anything else. Achilles feels that if he kills Hector, Patroklos death will be justly avenged, and Achilles will not carry such a heavy weight on his chest feeling like he was the cause of his friends death. Achilles decides not to fight for Agamemnon or the Greeks for nine books. During that same time he breaks the second rule/requirement of an Epic Hero. After Agamemnon disgraces Achilles by taking his war prize, Briseis, from him; Achilles is filled with complete rage. Achilles even draws his sword to take arms against Agamemnon, but is stopped short by a god who makes him change his mind.
The antagonistic relationship between Agamemnon and Achilles appears to be on a subconscious level because both men are very proud and on a quest for being immortalized in history. Agamemnon does not appear to take Briseis in spite of Achilles. Agamemnon feels that it is his lawful right to take Briseis, since he is the commanding officer of the Greeks, and his war prize had to be returned. Also, Achilles anger towards Agamemnon appears to be justifiable because Agamemnon, whether intentionally or not did indeed disgrace Achilles. Achilles does not break the second rule/requirement of an Epic Hero until he decides to draw his sword, in hopes of regaining some respect by fighting Agamemnon. At this point there is no longer an antagonistic relationship between Agamemnon and Achilles because Achilles consciously chooses to draw his sword against Agamemnon. By drawing his sword against a superior officer Achilles officially breaks the second rule/requirement of and Epic Hero; men had to respect each other.
The Essay on Achilles Versus Hector
... falling out with Agamemnon. In comparison to Hector, Achilles is not as honorable, but they both are similar as Homeric heroes. The Iliad ... Achilles own men wanted him to stop with the desecration of the body. Finally, it was Hector s father, who begged for Hector s body, ... Achilles vs. Hector The epic myth the Iliad, by Homer, portrayed the plight of a war between the Trojans and the Greeks. Achilles ...
Some might argue that because Agamemnon disrespected Achilles; Achilles had the right to now disrespect Agamemnon. This was not the philosophy of an Epic Hero; eye for an eye. An Epic Hero was supposed to be above pettiness, but as weve seen in books one through nine, we know that Achilles is neither mature nor reasonable. Achilles leaves his men, which breaks rule one, and then he proceeds to draw his sword on Agamemnon, which breaks rule two. The third, and possibly, the most important rule/requirement of an Epic Hero was that he did not show cruelty or injustice on the battlefield. Before Achilles and Hector begin to fight Hector asks Achilles that if he is killed will Achilles send his body back to Troy for a proper burial. Achilles is in such a fit of rage that he denies Hector of his last wish and begins fighting.
The battle between Achilles and Hector ends with Achilles claiming victory. Upon defeating Hector he attaches his body to the back of his chariot and rides around the city of Troy with Hectors body dragging along behind him. Achilles continues to ride around Troy three times a day for nine days. This is blatant act of cruelty and intentional mutilation of Hectors body. There is not a clearer example of how Achilles breaks the third and most important rule of an Epic Hero; an Epic Hero was not to show cruelty or injustice on the battlefield. Achilles is by no means the Epic Hero because he either breaks or completely destroys all three rules/requirements for a character to be an Epic Hero. Some argue that The Iliad shows the development of Achilles into the Epic Hero. I do not agree with this argument either.
By returning Hectors body he was not cleansed of his acts of cruelty. What Achilles did was cruel and inhumane. By returning Hectors body he is just admitting that once again he was impetuous and rash in his behavior. Like his behavior for the first nine books with Agamemnon when he was pouting and brooding because things werent going his was, the same can be said for the end of the book. Achilles was not satisfied with just avenging Patroklos death, but he had to add a little sting on top of it all. Achilles might have conceivably had the most slim chances of possibly being consider as a remote choice as the Homeric Epic Hero if he had given up Hectors body right away. That would have shown growth and maturity.
The Term Paper on Comparison Of Aeneas And Achilles As Epic Heroes In Ancient Literature
Comparison of Aeneas and Achilles as Epic Heroes in Ancient Literature The term hero is often described as a man of exceptional quality, who wins admiration by noble deeds. Early Roman and Greek literature often have a character in which they consider the hero of the story. The two famous epic stories of the ancient world, Virgils Aeneid and Homer's Illiad introduce the reader to two characters ...
See guys, he still was able to be immature by disgracing Hectors body. Even though he gave it back, he still got to do what he wanted when he wanted, therefore he did not grow. The harder thing and the more Heroic thing to do would have been to give Hectors body up right away, but Achilles choices not to do thiswhy you ask? BECAUSE HE IS NOT THE EPIC HERO. The Epic Hero in Homers The Iliad is Hector. Hector stands by his men in battles, thus meeting rule number one. Hector shows respect to men, thus meeting rule number two. And finally, Hector never shows compassion and justice on the battle field. Hector is the embodiment of a true Epic Hero. Hector understands his responsibilities as a great Trojan warrior. Hector knows that even though Troy is destined to fall he will fight until the bitter end. Hector knows that there are women and children behind the walls of Troy, so he fights not only for his own personal glory but for his community.
Something Achilles never does because Achilles is only worried about himself. He does not fight for his community, but only in the hope of immortalizing himself. Finally, Hector is the Epic Hero because he has all of Achilles strengths and none of his weaknesses. Some say that Hector lost his pride and courage when he ran from Achilles. I do not agree. That was a defining moment in the text.
It is where you saw Hector solidify himself as the true Epic Code Hero. An impetuous and rash warrior like Achilles would have stood his ground. Hector knew he was outmatched, so he ran trying to lure Achilles into the range of the Trojan Archers. (Sorry, I forgot, how did Achilles die again?) Hector was exhibiting logic and reason. Hector knew that if he were to fall, then Troy would follow suit. Hector chose logic and reason over foolish pride.
Hector did not become a coward when he ran away, he became the Epic Hero. Let me pose this question to you if you believe hector was a coward when he ran awaywhat is better one million dead heroes who died on the battlefield or one great hero who knows when to fight and when to run that way he can continue to lead his people? Although that is a loaded question, its also true. No matter how many great warriors or Epic Heroes you might have had, if they are dead, then they are dead and they cannot help defend a city or its people. Hector knew this and that is why he ran, not because he was a coward, but because he cared more about his Troy, his people, and his family. One Great Epic Hero like Hector is worth more than any number of great heroes who are dead, and thats the truth..
The Essay on Hero Myth – Achilles
... Hector, a Trojan hero, mistook Patroclus for Achilles and killed Patroclus. Achilles was engulfed with rage at Hector ... try to lure back their greatest warrior. Achilles continued to refuse to rejoin ... example of a hero is Achilles, made famous through Homer’s epic Illiad. While we ... Achilles relented and allowed Priam to take Hector’s remains. After Hector’s death time started to run out for Achilles. ...
