Iliad 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’ son 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 not a static character. He is constantly changing; thus the question of why he remains angry solicits different answers at various stages throughout the poem. To find an answer, the reader must carefully examine Achilles’ ever-changing dilemma involving the concepts of mortality and honor. At its simplest, Achilles’ dilemma is that if he goes to war, he will die. But he will die with glory. Achilles’ true nature is that of a warrior. The son of Peleus must fight. When he denounces Agamemnon and the Achaeans, he does not go home. His ship is last in line, near Troy. Subconsciously, he has already made the choice of accepting a short life filled with glory. Subconsciously, he wants to go back to war. He needs to. However, he also needs to insure his possession of glory and honor. But what kind of glory, what kind of honor? He already possesses the honor of the gods. He says, “my honor lies in the great decree of Zeus…” (IX.741.p.272). By book IX, material wealth is no longer what Achilles wants. He spurns Agamemnon’s offers. The typical mortal concepts of heroism no longer concern him; his ideals differ from those of his peers. Phoenix’s Meleager is no example to him. However, at this point Achilles still does not know what he wants. Pride and stubbornness still supplement his rage, but now his anger appears to be a manifestation of his fear and confusion—“Stop confusing my fixed resolve with this…” (IX.745-746.p.272). Achilles knows that he wants honor and glory, but in what form? What Achilles does know, and what he must deal with, is the fact that his life will be short if he chooses to have honor and glory. Thus, the choices he makes concerning his honor are crucial. At this point his life is riding on the decision he makes. It is inevitable that Achilles will choose door #2--to go to war, live a short life, and have much glory.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the subject of homer's epic poem, the iliad, as "the rage of peleus' son achilles." there is no definitive answer to this question.
- Analyzes how achilles' true nature is that of a warrior. he denounces agamemnon and the achaeans and wants to go back to war.
- Opines that achilles must deal with the fact that his life will be short if he chooses to have honor and glory.
- Analyzes the subject of homer's epic poem, the iliad, as "the rage of peleus' son achilles." there is no definitive answer to this question.
- Analyzes how achilles' true nature is that of a warrior. he denounces agamemnon and the achaeans and wants to go back to war.
- Opines that achilles must deal with the fact that his life will be short if he chooses to have honor and glory.
- Analyzes how agamemnon's offers of wealth and material possessions are not the incentives to inspire achilles to fight.
- Opines that the spoils of war offered to achilles by agamemnon belong to him. it is his toil and exhaustion, his relentless dedication as a warrior, that has gone into fighting for this cause.
- Analyzes how the spoils of war remind achilles of his humiliation, of the honor agamemnon publicly stripped from him, when he took away briseis.
- Opines that achilles' anger grows at the thought of accepting agamemnon’s offerings, for if he were to accept these gifts, it would be submitting to him.
- Analyzes how achilles' anger culminates in feelings of unreconciliation, as he struggles over his mortality, for although material gifts are honorable and highly glorifying in the homeric world, they are not important to him anymore.
- Analyzes how achilles remains angry and unreconciled at the end of book ix because he is not offered the right incentives and inspiration to rejoin the war.
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- Justice and Love in the Iliadanalytical essaySimone Weil argues that the way Homer presents war and the use of force in the Iliad, in all of its brutality, violence, and bitterness bathes the work in the light of love and justice (pg 25). The point Weil is making is that by depicting the suffering of all of these men regardless of their side, or strength Homer equalizes them in a “condition common to all men”(pg 25). Because Homer equalizes them the reader can feel empathy, or at least compassion for all of the men. However while Weil is correct about how Homer’s descriptions of war and force reveal justice and love, she is wrong in thinking that justice and love are mere “accents” to the Iliad, and progress through the story “without ever becoming noticeable”(pg 25). Homer not only reveals this underlying idea to the reader through his tone and even handedness, but also through Achilles’ journey. By the end of the Iliad Achilles understands justice and love in much the same way that the reader does.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that homer's depiction of war and the use of force in the iliad, in all of its brutality, violence, and bitterness, bathes the work in light of love and justice.
- Analyzes how homer's impartiality in writing the iliad allows the suffering of both the greeks and the trojans to be viewed in the same way.
- Analyzes how homer breaks down the distinction between the greeks and the trojans by describing the death of elephenor.
- Argues that homer's depiction of war and the use of force in the iliad, in all of its brutality, violence, and bitterness, bathes the work in light of love and justice.
- Analyzes how homer's impartiality in writing the iliad allows the suffering of both the greeks and the trojans to be viewed in the same way.
- Analyzes how homer breaks down the distinction between the greeks and the trojans by describing the death of elephenor.
- Analyzes how homer removes the distinction between hero and man and shows the reader how bankrupt the characters view on life is.
- Analyzes how homer's love for patroclus, whether romantic or brotherly, causes achilles to reenter the fight, fulfill his fate, and acknowledge the idea of "sameness".
- Analyzes how achilles' understanding extends all the way to the battlefield when he is confronted by lycaon.
- Analyzes how homer takes the reader and achilles and makes them equal. the reader is shown to be the same as the hero, not in strength but in helplessness.
974 wordsRead More - Compare The Iliad And The Movie Troyanalytical essayThe readers can obtain a chance to become acquainted with Achilles’ character. The readers have the opportunity to witness that he absolutely does not care for the war too much and he has not fought just for his town, he fights for himself. He yearns to kill people who have done wrong and deserve to die. Achilles embodies himself, not to seem selfish, (but because) that is just who he is and how his character’s unique personality. Achilles fights in these wars knowing that his people need him and he wants a war that all humanity, in millions of years will remember. As he talks to Odysseus, he asks why he should fight the war and Odysseus says he should fight for Greece knowing that Troy has insulted them. Achilles, at that instant, brings up an outstanding point saying “They insulted one Greek, a man who couldn 't hold on to his wife. What business is that of mine?” This shows he does not think highly of Grease therefore he will not fight for Greece until he has a reason. Any man should fight for the right reason and Achilles is one of the only ones in this war that understands that
In this essay, the author
- Opines that hector and achilles both show extravagant heroic qualities in the iliad and the movie troy.
- Analyzes how achilles conveys kindness and respect, especially towards the end of the book and the movie.
- Analyzes how the stupendous achilles knows how to express himself in the book and the movie. he fights in wars knowing that his people need him and wants a war that all humanity, in millions of years, will remember.
- Opines that hector and achilles both show extravagant heroic qualities in the iliad and the movie troy.
- Analyzes how achilles conveys kindness and respect, especially towards the end of the book and the movie.
- Analyzes how the stupendous achilles knows how to express himself in the book and the movie. he fights in wars knowing that his people need him and wants a war that all humanity, in millions of years, will remember.
- Concludes that achilles is a difficult character to work with but shows kindness and respect, expresses himself, and shows loyalty to the ones he cares deeply about.
711 wordsRead More - Iliad Analysisanalytical essayFirstly, it is crucial to start with what is arguably the most important attribute in the Iliad. Warriors’ honor is represented primarily by their glory in battle and previous reputation of their ancestors. Honor plays a critical part of the story being the motivating factor between Achilles leaving the war over his quarrel with Agamemnon. Moreover, there is a sense that the acquisition of plunder mus...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the differences between the iliad and chushingura under the framework of honor, shame, and fate.
- Analyzes the importance of honor in the iliad, which is represented primarily by their glory in battle and previous reputation of their ancestors.
- Analyzes how the 47 ronin serve the will of lord asano. their revenge against kira is a response to what societal institutions deem most honorable.
- Analyzes the differences between the iliad and chushingura under the framework of honor, shame, and fate.
- Analyzes the importance of honor in the iliad, which is represented primarily by their glory in battle and previous reputation of their ancestors.
- Analyzes how the 47 ronin serve the will of lord asano. their revenge against kira is a response to what societal institutions deem most honorable.
- Opines that the multitudes embodying your perfection will give it to them.
- Analyzes how the underpinnings of confucian ethics derive honor as a reciprocal trait and far from the individual glory faced in the iliad.
- Analyzes how shame plays a significant role in both societies, but is practically the cornerstone of the samurai. asano's refusal of kira was predicated on the great shame it would bring to his clan
- Analyzes how the samurai's heroism and cleansing of shame with the upholding of bushido are cultural legacy in modern japan.
- Analyzes how achilles' story of eventual shame fails to fall into the same categories as hektor's. he is too complex to be a mere response to shame.
- Analyzes how achilles represents a proto-christian sense of guilt and the evidence is in the two previously quoted passages.
- Analyzes how the samurai in chushingura chose an alternative path of self-preservation, reflected in the growing permeability between the bushi and chonin.
- Analyzes how fate appears to play a much larger role in the iliad. the battle between the growing ideology of individual self-improvement via military honor and the traditional fate that is governed by the gods.
- Analyzes the dichotomy between individual self-improvement, which dominates modern thinking, and the sustained equilibrium of society via institutionalized honor and shaming.
- Explains that arieti, james a., "achilles' guilt." the classical journal, chicago, 1985.
- Explains that arieti, james a., "achilles' alienation in iliad 9." the classical journal, chicago, 1986.
- Explains ikegami, eiko, the taming of the samurai: honorific individualism and the making of modern japan.
- Explains that shame and the samurai: institutions, trustworthiness, and autonomy in the elite honor culture.
- Explains kim, young-ching, on political thought in tokugawa japan.
1943 wordsRead More - Divided by Conflict; United by Heroism: The Iliad by Homeranalytical essayThe Iliad focuses its narrative on the glories of heroes in the Trojan War, particular Achilles and Hector. Although both are heroes for their side, they have complex personalities that explain their actions. Indeed, as one reads through the poem, it seems that they have nothing in common. They do not share motives for fighting, similar views concerning the immortals, or perspective concerning relationships of those around them, yet they are united by characteristics that constitute a hero as we understand one. Despite their differences, Achilles and Hector both place value on bravery, fight on behalf of others, and see the humanity in those they are fighting with and against.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the iliad focuses its narrative on the glories of heroes in the trojan war, particularly achilles and hector. they have complex personalities that explain their actions.
- Analyzes how the dissimilarity between the personalities of hector and achilles appears insurmountably vast.
- Analyzes how hector's care for those affected by the war is prominent throughout the iliad.
- Analyzes how the iliad focuses its narrative on the glories of heroes in the trojan war, particularly achilles and hector. they have complex personalities that explain their actions.
- Analyzes how the dissimilarity between the personalities of hector and achilles appears insurmountably vast.
- Analyzes how hector's care for those affected by the war is prominent throughout the iliad.
- Concludes that both men are considered heroes by their people, but that fact can be easily forgotten due to the chaos for the opposing sides.
- Analyzes how the similarities between the greek and trojan hero start to reveal themselves, the first being their value of bravery and the duty of able-bodied men to fight.
1029 wordsRead More - The Iliad of Homeranalytical essayPriam, old and fragile, makes his way to the camp of the enemy’s greatest warrior late at night. He bears what little treasures have not been exhausted by the ten-year conflict and plans to plead for the rightful return of his son’s body. This is his final heroic endeavor. And perhaps, because he has just lost someone so dear to him, he is willing to take the risk despite his fear. What is interesting is that when he does arrive at the camp of Achilles, his fear suddenly subsides and “the old man makes straight for the dwelling where Achilles beloved of Zeus was sitting.” A decisive moment has arrived for both men. When Priam enters, Achilles knows that he must accept his own death with open arms while Priam is forced to sit at the knees of Achilles and kiss the hands that have killed his beloved Hektor.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how homer avoids the epic qualities of the iliad. the banquet scene in book xxiv is the most touching, most "human" scene.
- Analyzes how priam, old and fragile, makes his way to the camp of the enemy's greatest warrior late at night. he plans to plead for the rightful return of his son’s body.
- Analyzes how homer stops the action for a moment to let us feel the intensity of this extraordinary encounter.
- Analyzes how homer avoids the epic qualities of the iliad. the banquet scene in book xxiv is the most touching, most "human" scene.
- Analyzes how priam, old and fragile, makes his way to the camp of the enemy's greatest warrior late at night. he plans to plead for the rightful return of his son’s body.
- Analyzes how homer stops the action for a moment to let us feel the intensity of this extraordinary encounter.
- Analyzes how achilles matures dramatically since the beginning of the iliad. though his insight and human compassion have developed greatly, he is still obstinate and proud.
- Analyzes how achilles invites priam to join him for supper and reminds him that, mournful as they may be, they must remember to eat.
- Analyzes how priam's kind heart and ability to forgive are extraordinary. he is able to find the "good" in everyone.
- Analyzes how achilles brings these two bitterly warring nations into a zone of peace. the scene is uncompromisingly tragic, but moral beauty survives.
- Analyzes how the plot structure of the iliad completes itself. homer is an artist who permits complexities and contradictions.
1065 wordsRead More - His mother, Thetis, portends "that [Achilles] is destined for both an early death and misery beyond compare." (Homer, Book I, 438-439) Achilles fights to achieve eternal glory and to be remembered in history for his warrior efforts. Achilles knows that "If I stay here and fight, I 'll never return home, but my glory will be undying forever. If I return home to my dear fatherland my glory is lost but my life will be long and death that ends all will not catch me soon." (Homer Book IX 425-429) This is reflective of the Greek motivation; making it a personal quest. Fueled by his own desire to kill Hector and avenge the death of Patroclus, Achilles tells Hector that" [t]here are no binding oaths between men and lions- wolves and lambs can enjoy no meeting of the minds- they are all bent on hating each other to the death. So with you and me. No love between us. No truce till one or the other falls and gluts with blood." (Homer Book XXII, 309-314) This type of hero would more appeal to the Greeks hearing or reading the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how homer's epic heroic poem, the iliad, is set during the ninth year of the 10 year war, and covers a period of about three weeks.
- Analyzes how achilles was the champion of greece, a gifted warrior who wreaks havoc at all times and is good at it. his mother, thetis, portends "achilles is destined for both an early death and misery beyond compare."
- Analyzes how hector was the champion of troy, a reluctant warrior who sees battle as necessary evil. he fights for the love of his homeland, troy and his father, brother, wife, and son.
- Analyzes how homer's epic heroic poem, the iliad, is set during the ninth year of the 10 year war, and covers a period of about three weeks.
- Analyzes how achilles was the champion of greece, a gifted warrior who wreaks havoc at all times and is good at it. his mother, thetis, portends "achilles is destined for both an early death and misery beyond compare."
- Analyzes how hector was the champion of troy, a reluctant warrior who sees battle as necessary evil. he fights for the love of his homeland, troy and his father, brother, wife, and son.
- Analyzes how homer used his two heroes to drive home that all men, no matter how brave or loyal, are mortal and not like the mythological gods in his poem.
821 wordsRead More - Free Essays - Comparing Odysseus and Medeaanalytical essayI suppose Achilles quickly realized after he died that fame has no meaning for you after you're dead. In retrospect, he understood that death gives meaning, and fills one up with the passion for life. Every action, however mundane, is filled with the miracle of life and completes itself when one interacts with others. This is what Achilles meant when he asks Odysseus about his son and his former kingdom--never mind the dead, what are the living doing? Achilles yearns to be back among the living.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how odysseus is talking with achilles, the greatest hero of the trojan war.
- Analyzes how achilles realized fame had no meaning after he died. he understood that death gives meaning, and fills one up with the passion for life.
- Analyzes how the theme of death giving meaning to life is prevalent throughout the odyssey.
- Analyzes how odysseus is talking with achilles, the greatest hero of the trojan war.
- Analyzes how achilles realized fame had no meaning after he died. he understood that death gives meaning, and fills one up with the passion for life.
- Analyzes how the theme of death giving meaning to life is prevalent throughout the odyssey.
- Opines that odysseus' journey to ithaka is about embracing one's life, accepting the challenges, the dangers, pitfalls, and joys.
- Opines that home is ithaka, a place of completion, the merging of male and female. odysseus and penelope carried each other's voices in their heads for 20 years.
- Compares medea to odysseus in that she has been betrayed and will stop at nothing to destroy everything around her. in her irrationality, death or life have no meaning.
- Analyzes how odysseus and medea are polar opposites: he maintains the balance between the micro/macrocosm and she is self-absorbed, driven blindly by love.
696 wordsRead More - Is Achilles Selfish Or Self-Preserving?analytical essayThe decision whether if Achilles is selfish or self-preserving is quite debatable. In some scenarios he might seem to be selfish, but in others it looks as if he is just being self-preserving. However, in order to choose a final answer, one must know the background information that lies within this debatable question.
In this essay, the author
- Explains achilles' decision whether he is selfish or self-preserving is debatable, but one must know the background information in order to choose a final answer.
- Explains that achilles was the strongest warrior fighting on the side of the achaeans. he grew angry because agamemnon took his friend, briseis.
- Analyzes how achilles is selfish because he abandoned war for the simple reason that agamemnon took briseis away from him. his immature actions jeopardize the chance of the achaeans winning the war.
- Explains achilles' decision whether he is selfish or self-preserving is debatable, but one must know the background information in order to choose a final answer.
- Explains that achilles was the strongest warrior fighting on the side of the achaeans. he grew angry because agamemnon took his friend, briseis.
- Analyzes how achilles is selfish because he abandoned war for the simple reason that agamemnon took briseis away from him. his immature actions jeopardize the chance of the achaeans winning the war.
- Analyzes how achilles can be characterized as self-preserving rather than selfish. he bequeaths his armor to patroclus so that he can fight in battle to save the achaean ships.
- Concludes that achilles is an equal balance between selfish and self-preserving in terms of the war.
450 wordsRead More - Examples Of Achilles Flaws In The Iliadanalytical essayWhen one reads the Iliad, they can see that Achilles had a lot of flaws about his character that really outweigh the good things about him. For example, two of Achilles’ major flaws are his anger and pride. One might wonder how pride can be a flaw in character, but in the Iliad, pride is what drives Achilles away from the war because he doesn’t get the respect he feels he deserves. Achilles deserting the Greek army is what starts his decline of a character. What further deteriorates his character is that he has questionable war ethics. For example, on page 139, Achilles says that his life is not worth losing in a war. Now any soldier in any war knows that he is risking his life for the sake of the war, and knows that his life is at risk. Also, he feels that in the end, it doesn’t matter if you are a hero or coward, you die either way. But in reality, if you die a hero, you will be remembered that way, if you die a coward, that is how you will be remembered, which is actually one of the main reasons why Hector decides not to stay hidden behind the walls from
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how achilles fits the concept of corruptio otimi pessima, which means corruption of the best is the worst of all.
- Opines achilles was the greatest greek soldier during the greek and trojan war. he feared nobody, struck fear in the trojan army, and was a major inspiration.
- Analyzes how achilles' flaws outweigh the good things about him in the iliad. he deserts the greek army and has questionable war ethics.
- Analyzes how achilles fits the concept of corruptio otimi pessima, which means corruption of the best is the worst of all.
- Opines achilles was the greatest greek soldier during the greek and trojan war. he feared nobody, struck fear in the trojan army, and was a major inspiration.
- Analyzes how achilles' flaws outweigh the good things about him in the iliad. he deserts the greek army and has questionable war ethics.
- Analyzes how achilles hits rock bottom when he kills hector, and ties him to his chariot to desecrate his body.
- Analyzes how achilles' character slowly declines throughout the iliad, but he becomes regenerated in book 22. he allows priam to get hector's body, and holds back the greek army back so the trojans can have a proper burial.
- Analyzes how achilles' flaws, like his anger, war ethics, and questionable actions, get him and the greek army hurt in some way.
601 wordsRead More - Honor In The Iliadanalytical essayIt was an engraved rule in the ancient Greek culture for men to fulfill their duty as soldiers and willingly confront death. The soldiers are “ intoxicated by a false sense of invincibility” and trust that death is worth honor (Bruce 5). Hector represented the ideal soldier. When he chose to fight Achilles and defend Troy he declared “My better part is to face him for life and death. Either I shall kill him and return with triumph, or I shall die with honor before the gate” (Homer 315). Hector knew he would die, but was convinced he had to die fighting. David Gill explained “On a deeper level, they face death in battle precisely because they must die. In the end, there is no escaping death, but glory gained by killing others in combat can bestow a kind of immortality” (3). With the Heroic Code, ancient Greek men were fated to die young. Achilles was the first to review their predisposition. Later, when Achilles’ closest comrades tried to persuade him to rejoin the war effort he explained “If I stay here and fight before the city of Troy, there will be no homecoming for me but my fame shall never die; if I go home to my native land, there will be no great fame for me, but I shall live long and not die an early death” (Homer 128). Achilles debated his two fates, and chose life over honor. While other warriors would have gone and died in battle without a second thought, Achilles’ decision to not fight illustrated the flaws of the Heroic Code and the war-obsessed Greek society. Through Achilles’ struggle Homer tried to remind young men that they are allowed to ask themselves if death is worth the price of
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the ancient greeks determined the honor of a person by their war contributions. homer redefined the meaning of honor through achilles' rejection of the heroic code.
- Analyzes how achilles rejected agamemnon's gifts because they cannot rectify the damage inflicted on his prestige. the justification of war cannot equal the repercussions.
- Analyzes how achilles questioned if death was worth the price of glory. hector represented the ideal soldier.
- Analyzes how the ancient greeks determined the honor of a person by their war contributions. homer redefined the meaning of honor through achilles' rejection of the heroic code.
- Analyzes how achilles rejected agamemnon's gifts because they cannot rectify the damage inflicted on his prestige. the justification of war cannot equal the repercussions.
- Analyzes how achilles questioned if death was worth the price of glory. hector represented the ideal soldier.
- Analyzes how achilles' desolation emphasized that there is still suffering with victory. he fought for the legacy of a man who died in battle.
- Explains achilles broke the heroic code by questioning the value of life, glory, and victory. homer meant to emphasize the pointlessness of war and its immeasurable losses, all for a warped sense of glory.
1045 wordsRead More - Achilles Moral Dilemma Essayopinion essayThe question "was Achilles' anger justified" brings up issues that seem to have little or no relevance to the war. In time of war I would expect the leaders to prioritize the groups interest for the sake of unity and cooperation rather than being entrenched in achieving their own personal goals. But my expectations are those of a modern day literature student, I'm inclined to think that the Greeks who first read this epic valued different things than myself. Another relevant question might be "were Achilles' actions justified". Anger can be easily justified, but the actions that anger might lead you to take are not as easily justified. Again I am not an ancient Greek and my opinions are irrelevant unless I open my mind to different viewpoints. Therefore I am striving to look into this issue through ancient Greek eyes where the principle of sacrificing ones own interests was apparently not valued, but maintaining ones honor, on the other hand, was greatly valued. In the following paragraphs I will attempt to answer these two aforementioned questions.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the question "was achilles' anger justified" brings up issues that seem to have little or no relevance to the war.
- Narrates how agamemnon's concubine was given to apollo, but achilles' betrayal led him to withdraw his forces from the achaean army and plead his mother, thetis, to influence zeus to make the trojans successful.
- Opines that achilles' anger was justified, justified in ancient greek society as well as modern day society.
- Opines that the question "was achilles' anger justified" brings up issues that seem to have little or no relevance to the war.
- Narrates how agamemnon's concubine was given to apollo, but achilles' betrayal led him to withdraw his forces from the achaean army and plead his mother, thetis, to influence zeus to make the trojans successful.
- Opines that achilles' anger was justified, justified in ancient greek society as well as modern day society.
532 wordsRead More - How Did Achilles Change Throughout The Iliadanalytical essayAt this height of the epic we see that Achilles is still very much concerned with wealth and honor, the question now is "how to accomplish his goal". Achilles is aware of a few things and this puts him at an advantage over the rest. He knows that he will eventually be honored and that Agamemnon's debt to him will eventually be paid; he knows this because Athena had promised it to him if he didn't kill Agamemnon.
In this essay, the author
- Describes achilles' changes in the first sixteen books of the iliad, stating that they find it helpful to step back and analyze the situation.
- Analyzes achilles' goal of fighting side by side with the achaeans, sack troy, and gain honor and wealth. he realized that he had been fighting for nine years for the sake of a man whose woman has been stolen.
- Analyzes how achilles' mind was changed by the embassy's visit to his hut. he decided to stay but fight only if the struggle reaches his camp.
- Describes achilles' changes in the first sixteen books of the iliad, stating that they find it helpful to step back and analyze the situation.
- Analyzes achilles' goal of fighting side by side with the achaeans, sack troy, and gain honor and wealth. he realized that he had been fighting for nine years for the sake of a man whose woman has been stolen.
- Analyzes how achilles' mind was changed by the embassy's visit to his hut. he decided to stay but fight only if the struggle reaches his camp.
- Analyzes how achilles is concerned with wealth and honor, the question now is "how to accomplish his goal". he knows he will eventually be honored and agamemnon's debt to him will be paid, and zeus will hear him.
- Analyzes how achilles fantasizes about going against both the achaeans and the trojans in the epic.
- Opines that achilles' intention is to gain wealth and honor, but how he goes about it is another issue. letting the trojans and the achaeans destroy each other and then step in and conquer them both is not such a far fetch.
- Opines that achilles' mind hasn't finished changing, and we will see another change of mind when he decides to fight not for wealth and honor, but to avenge patroklus' death
626 wordsRead More - The Iliad, by Homeranalytical essayThe Iliad written by Homer in the days of Ancient Greece has become one of the most epic poems of all time. It is a poem that has been debated for centuries. Within the tale of Achilles and the wrath of war lies a magnificent object that is shortly mentioned in Book 18. The brief section in Book XVIII, lines 505-660, described the shield that Achilles would carry into battle. However, it also tells us something about the nature of Achilles and his heroic image full of rage and anger. In order to understand the significance of the Shield of Achilles, one must closely look within the different layers of the shield itself. Each layer of the shield symbolizes apart of the story at large. Even though its fragment within the poem is limited, its true meaning is larger than the story itself.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the iliad, written by homer in the days of ancient greece, has become one of the most epic poems of all time.
- Analyzes how hephaestus is the god of fire who is humbled by thetis, the mother of achilles, to forge a new armor for him.
- Analyzes how hephaestus creates a magnificent shield that glorifies achilles beyond any human being. homer describes one of the cities overwhelmed with joy and happiness, while the other depicts two armies full of chaos and death.
- Analyzes how the iliad, written by homer in the days of ancient greece, has become one of the most epic poems of all time.
- Analyzes how hephaestus is the god of fire who is humbled by thetis, the mother of achilles, to forge a new armor for him.
- Analyzes how hephaestus creates a magnificent shield that glorifies achilles beyond any human being. homer describes one of the cities overwhelmed with joy and happiness, while the other depicts two armies full of chaos and death.
- Concludes that the shield of achilles exemplifies great creativity and magnificent beauty that is suitable for superior beings.
966 wordsRead More - Morality In The Iliadanalytical essayAchilles shows his moral inferiority in book one of The Iliad when Agamemnon supposedly deprives Achilles of his honor by taking his “prize.” Achilles responds to Agamemnon’s action by deciding to not fight in the war and he also prays against the Greeks by asking his mother, Thetis, to go to Zeus. When Thetis goes to Zeus she says “Zeus, out father, if ever I have helped you among the immortals either in word or in something I did, fulfill me this desire. Give honor to my son who, more than others, is born to a quick death. But as it is, now the king of men Agamemnon has not given him honor. He has taken away his prize. He holds it! But give him honor, O Olympian, counselor Zeus. Give power to the Trojans until the Achaeans honor my son and increase his honor” (I. Lines 491-99). When Achilles does this he is showing that he is selfish and only caring about himself. He is showing he does not care for his troops by praying having his mother ask Zeus to give the Trojans power until Achilles gets the honor he believes he deserves. Another reason in which demonstrates that Achilles is a selfish man is later in book seven-teen. Throughout most of the epic poem Achilles chooses not to fight just because Agamemnon didn’t give him the honor he thought he deserved. But finally, in book seven-teen, Achilles decides to join the battle again. But he doesn’t choose to fight because he knows it is the best things to do for his people or country. He fights because he wants his name to be remembered. But that isn’t the main reason. The real reason that Achilles made his decision to fight is because Hector killed his friend, Patroklos. This is proven to be the main reason Achilles decides to fight in book twenty-two when Achilles is telling Hector what he is going to do to him because Hector killed Patroklos. Achilles says “Don’t beg me, you dog, by my knees
In this essay, the author
- Explains that merriam-webster dictionary defines morality as the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. the greek view on a man with good morals was during the trojan war in the iliad.
- Analyzes how agamemnon shows his personal morality over achilles by demonstrating his caring for his troops in book two of the iliad.
- Analyzes how achilles shows his moral inferiority in book one of the iliad when agamemnon supposedly deprives him of his honor by asking his mother, thetis, to go to zeus.
- Explains that merriam-webster dictionary defines morality as the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. the greek view on a man with good morals was during the trojan war in the iliad.
- Analyzes how agamemnon shows his personal morality over achilles by demonstrating his caring for his troops in book two of the iliad.
- Analyzes how achilles shows his moral inferiority in book one of the iliad when agamemnon supposedly deprives him of his honor by asking his mother, thetis, to go to zeus.
- Analyzes how achilles decides to join the battle again in book seven-teen because he wants his name to be remembered, but that isn't the main reason. hector killed his friend, patroklos.
993 wordsRead More - Human Nature In The Iliadanalytical essayAlthough the Homeric society had Gods to lead its character, still emotion was able to overtake logic and calculated moves in war. Achilles was warned that “[He is] destined for both an early death and misery beyond compare” (Il. 1.438-439) yet, he continues to fight for tîmê and kleos. The pride that comes from success on the battlefield is worth much more than being in safe. Half man, half god, Achilles innately had a more complete scope of the world after his actions. Even though
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how human nature can drive humanity to victory or push them off the edge into despair. the iliad and history of the peloponnesian war contain influences from the gods in paradoxical amounts but still fall to incivility.
- Analyzes how emotions can overpower logic and calculated moves in war. half man, half god, achilles innately had a more complete scope of the world after his actions.
- Analyzes how achilles proves that he is guided by his mênis. his repressed nature awakens and strays away from civility.
- Analyzes how human nature can drive humanity to victory or push them off the edge into despair. the iliad and history of the peloponnesian war contain influences from the gods in paradoxical amounts but still fall to incivility.
- Analyzes how emotions can overpower logic and calculated moves in war. half man, half god, achilles innately had a more complete scope of the world after his actions.
- Analyzes how achilles proves that he is guided by his mênis. his repressed nature awakens and strays away from civility.
- Analyzes how incivility rose from death in history of the peloponnesian war. the athenian warriors almost murdered an entire city consisting of innocent men, women, and children.
- Analyzes how the resistance to savagery died with pericles's death. the athenians let their fear of the unknown control their actions. their lawlessness and barbaric behavior created offences against human law.
- Analyzes how society converged at an instinctual point. rage and passion drove achilles to pick up arms and go back to war. fear and unknowing brought athens to its knees.
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