But now I’ll go and meet that murderer head-on, that Hector who destroyed the dearest life I know. For my own death, I’ll meet it freely.” (Iliad Book XVIII 133-8) Despite a prophecy that he will die if he avenges his friend, Achilles returns to the front enraged and ready for battle. His downfall of losing his closest friend due to his stubbornness has wrought a change in Achilles and he now returns to the battle to avenge and honor his friend’s death. The cunnin... ... middle of paper ... ...ruth of what he had done. After discovering the truth, he sees what he has done, but no longer has physical sight.
(I,l.169-171). Achilles, so upset with the dishonor Agamemnon placed on him, withdraws from fighting. Now, both Achilles and Agamemnon h... ... middle of paper ... ...urdering his sons, and Achilles is remorseful of the pain he caused Priam, thinking of his own father. Reconciliation for both characters is a temporary hiatus from the pain that waits outside Achilles' tent. Priam must return to his coward sons and havocked city.
As tensions rise and swords are about to be drawn, Nestor calms the situation by demanding the two men's attention, then asking for the respect he has earned with his age, for he has "known far greater men who did not disdain him." He then advises Agamemnon to renounce the girl, for she belongs to Achilles. As for Achilles, Nestor advises, "do not defy your King and Captain." In this way Nestor is bringing about an order which is about to be lost. The many years of fighting have worn patience down and the men have become caustic.
revenge itself is lost;”(Homer 232) by doing so Homer emphasizes Achilles regret for sending Patroclus to fight instead of himself. Now, broken down over his friend’s death brings a climatic seen in the story because Achilles is known for vengeance. This goes to show that when someone is deep in pain that sometimes the person will do anything to revenge the fallen. Homer also introduces a side of Achilles that audience probably wouldn’t have thought could’ve happen. In the remorse for Hector’s death, Priam, Hectors father begs and pleads for his son back, “These words soft pity in the chief inspire, Touch 'd with the dear remembrance of his sire.
Achilles’s allegiance to Patroclus makes him great because Achilles realizes the only way to avenge Patrocolus’s death was to join the battle. Hector’s allegiance is also as well important because even though he knows the Trojans are losing, he fights. Achilles becomes compassionate when the King of Troy kneels before Achilles begging for Hector’s defiled body. Hector shows compassion towards his family by telling Achilles before his combat to return his body to Troy. Achilles’s audacity brings about the destruction of many Achaeans.
In Achilles, however, there is a change. When Achilles feels pity for Priam, he seems to have learned pity, flexibility, and given up his rage. It takes the suicide of his son and wife for Creon to see the error in his ways, and without these tragic events, it is doubtful that Creon would have realized anything of the sort. Behind the rage and vengeance of Achilles, Homer has been revealed a compassionate being. Creon, on the other hand, seems to have only more pride, rage and anguish beneath his flaws.
That is why it is categorized as one... ... middle of paper ... ...l result of their accomplishments, but some take it further until it becomes excessive. This hubris affects their lives over and over again. However, characters like Achilles, Ajax and Odysseus continue to make the choices to defend their sense of honor that become unjust and produce negative aftereffects. Like Sophocles says: “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.” Works Cited Homer.
It is known by himself, and by the gods, that he is to live a short, but glorious life, however it is not known how or when his life will come to an end. Achilles himself, wishes to live one of longevity without great glory, and therefore tries to escape his lot in life. Is it just for him to give his life for war, or should he live a life to satisfy himself? Throughout the “Iliad”, Achilles’ actions bring his eventual doom closer to reality than perhaps may have been planned. “Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilles and it’s devastation which put pain thousandfold upon the Achaians.” The wrath of Achilles begins in Book One of “The Iliad.” Agamemmnon, leader of the Greek army, takes Achilles booty prize, Briseis to replace his own concubine, Chryses, daughter of a priest of Apollo, who was returned to end the plague put on his people by the angry god, Apollo.
He stays calm with his brother which showed his forgivness and love for his brother. Although, Hector has these positive traits, He does has his downfall. He allows his pride to take control while Achilles is away from battle and kills Achilles cousin, Patroclus. In return Hector is killed by Achilles anger and then tainted. Hector was distained to death before his pride took place, however he often over talked his abilities in a haughty way, and this contributated to his death.
In this instance, Achilles is making peace with Agamemnon. He realizes he has been acting out of anger instead of simply mourning. He chooses to put his anger aside and forgive Agamemnon which shows traits of virtuousness. As Achilles and Priam are engulfed in grief, Achilles offers these merciful words: “Poor man, how much you’ve borne-- pain to break the spirit! What daring brought you...all alone, to face the glance of the man who killed your sons” (Homer 24.602-607).