The Iliad of Homer

(Iliad Book I) After being begged to return and as things become grim, Achilles’ close friend Patroclus decides to go in his stead. Killed by Hector, the death of Patroclus causes a change in the stubborn Achilles. His indignation at being dishonored is gone; he has lost a friend because of this pride. “Despite my anguish I will beat it down, the fury mounting inside me, down by force. But now I’ll go and meet that murderer head-on, that Hector who destroyed the dearest life I know.

Then again, he is still punished when he slaughters his father and marries his mother since it is such an unethical, incomprehensible act. Oedipus realized that he would execute a man and marry a lady and it was those actions which prompt to his divine

Agamemnon answered back that he would give back the priests daughter but in return for his loss, he would take Achilles spoil, Briseis. Achilles is gripped with rage and strongly considers killing Agamemnon on the spot, “should he draw the long sharp sword slung at his hip, thrust through the ranks and kill Agamemnon now? – or check his rage and beat his fury down (pg. 124 – 125)?” Although still extremely angry, Achilles listens to the voice of Athena and pulls back his fury, “…a man submits though his heart breaks with fury. Better for him by far.

The death of Patroklos touched Achilles in many ways that changed and shaped his character. Many emotions were a result of his death such as love, loss, anger, and sadness. Patroklos was a dear friend to Achilles and when a mix of divine intervention and Hektor cut Patroklos down grief and the desire to avenge his dear friends death consumed Achilles. This switched his anger from King Agamemnon to Hektor, the man who slew his dear friend. This anger drew Achilles to avenge the death of his friend, to kill Hektor.

Hector too allows rage to manifest when Patroclus kills Sarpedon. He finally succeeds and tells Patroclus, “vultures will eat you / On this very spot” (283). Hector lets his rage speak when he says this to Patroclus since he has finally stopped him from killing a countless number of his men. It also shows Hectors intent to hold back the Greeks from recovering Patroclus’ body. This prevents Patroclus from subsequent proper preparation for mourning (287) by his friend Achilles and his fellow soldiers.

When Achilles left the army, he was so infuriated that he pled to his mother, Thetis, to ask Zeus to favor the Trojans, in which Zeus agreed to. The Trojans began t... ... middle of paper ... ...s a different side of Achilles. Besides the grief he developed, Achilles seems to have felt a great sense of humiliation for not going into battle himself and having sent Patroclos instead. Determined for revenge, Achilles decided upon himself to return to battle. This can be perceived that not only does Achilles want vengeance, but also for the chance to redeem his honor and glory.

Achilles was a brave soldier in battle and wept when his friend was killed. Being the “hero” that everyone thought he was, he cried to his mother whom said that he should not go to avenge his friend because he was “doomed to a short life […] your death must come at once” (Homer). This can be taken into consideration when describing his heroicness, because he did not heed the warning his mother gave him, instead he basically said that he should die then because he could not save his friend. It is “brave” of Achilles to want to avenge his friend. Achilles then went out and killed Hector.

Achilles is ready to fight, but more accurately ready for revenge. Achilles said, “I will not live nor go about among mankind unless Hektor fall by my spear, and thus pay me for having slain Patrokolos son of Menoetius,” (The Iliad, Chapter 18, Lines 89-91). When Achilles decided to fight, the fate of Hektor was already decided. Also, because he decided to fight, many more Trojans died. His fury with all of Troy was unleashed.

In conclusion, Creon is the tragic character of Antigone because of his pride which caused him never ending agony by the end of this tragedy. Although Antigone’s stubbornness concerning the divine law and her brother’s burial lead her to her misfortune, her suffering was cut short by her death. On the other hand, Creon had to live through having his own son and the citizens of Thebes against his decision. Also, Haimon and Eurydices died as a result of his actions, leaving Creon without a family. Hence, Creon is the tragic character of the tragedy due to eternal distress caused by his judgment.

The Iliad sets the tone of this epic story by beginning with fighting that magnifies throughout the entire text. King Agamemnon has kidnapped Chryses’ daughter and refuses to give her back even after Chryses has begged him. Agamemnon, rudely, responds to his request calling him “old sir,” telling Chryses if he does not leave, he will make his daughter work until she is old and tired. After hearing this, Chryses leaves afraid for his and his daughter’s life. Chryses prays to the god Apollo that he would punish the Achaians for the pain they have caused him.