Achilles: Modern Soldier

The Ancient Greeks admired their heroes and tried to learn from both their achievements and their mistakes. They believed that most great leaders and warriors followed a predictable behavior cycle, which often ended tragically. In Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, Achilles is a great warrior who traces the stages of the behavior cycle twice, from arete to hubris to ate and then to nemesis. Achilles is a highly skilled warrior and a great leader who becomes a narcissist and an arrogant person, which leads to selfish and childish behavior resulting in the death of his best friend. Following Patroclus’ death, Achilles repeats the behavior cycle by regaining his courage and motivation, and goes back to battle against Hector. The pride he feels in

The epic The Iliad by Homer argues that Achilles reaction in many situations is rage. Achilles choice to respond in such a way is very significant. It shows that this emotion is very influential in his day-to-day life. However, there has been much discussion as to whether Achilles’s rage is a virtue or a vice. Other characters throughout The Iliad have commented on his rage, such as Athena, who says, “I came to see if I could check this temper of yours,” (Homer, 235) in a discussion she has with Achilles about his quarrel with Agamemnon. Athena’s comment suggests that it takes a lot of effort to put Achilles’s rage into check. Achilles seemingly uncontrollable rages creates a man throughout The Iliad who “like[s] fighting and war” (234). Most men in this epic longed to end the war; Achilles on the other hand yearned for more battle. Achilles drive for battle makes it evident that his rage and the manifestation of it in other characters as seen throughout The Iliad is not a virtue, but a vice.

In the Greek society, Achilles has the role of the aggressive soldier. From the very first lines of the epic, we are introduced to Achilles’ murderous rage:

From the discussion about book nine of the Iliad, the reasoning behind Achilles’ actions was discussed and the theme of freedom vs. fate was discovered. Book nine is considered to be the climax of the Iliad because it is a turning point in the war and the Greeks realize that they need Achilles. Agamemnon offers a multitude of gifts and gives a rather lame apology in the hopes of Achilles returning, however Achilles refuses the gifts. The Greeks all questioned Achilles’ mindset for they did not understand why he would refuse the gifts and glory offered to him. Considering how in these times, the Greeks associate honor with material objects, Achilles has just denied himself an opportunity to receive honor and a legacy. He became an outsider among

The fact that Achilles had bravery in times of adversity shows that he should be given glory as a hero. In spite of the fact that Patroclus had died, and it was immensely hard for him to accept the loss of his friend, Achilles decided that Patroclus would have wanted him to be courageous. Achilles rejoined the war, resolved to kill those that had killed his beloved friend. He was not afraid of dying or being badly wounded, but he wanted to make up for his impulsive absence in the war.

Nestor, noble charioteer, captures best the essence of Achilles when he says, “Achilles, brave as he is, he has no care, / no pity for our Achaeans” (Homer 11.787-788). Most readers of the Iliad, consider Achilles the greatest warrior of The Trojan War, however, he lacks an important characteristic; care for others. Achilles’ best friend Patroclus, has described him as a great warrior, but a terrible person (11.774). In Homer's Iliad, Hector the great warrior of the Trojans, exhibits a selfless leadership approach, which contrasts to Achilles’ selfish actions as a leader. In order to be a great warrior, one’s loyalty must belong to something outside of themselves, and it’s through Achilles’ self-centered actions, that he loses the title of the greatest warrior to Hector. As the two capital warriors of the different sides of the Trojan war, Hector and Achilles provide an interesting contrast between two powerful leaders. Known for being loyal, selfless, and dedicated to his army, Hector contrasts to Achilles, who is self-serving in every aspect of his life. Despite his defeat at the hands of Achilles, Hector proves to be the greatest warrior of the Trojan War. The first characteristic Hector possesses, making him the superior warrior, is his ability to set his pride aside when he knows it will benefit his army. In contrast, Achilles allows his pride to control him and detriment his army. Another vital characteristic Hector’s possesses, making him a better leader, and

Achilles was arrogant, stubborn and he held an overly high view of himself. In his wrath, he alienated himself from not only his allies but also from humanity. “But Achilles weeping went and sat in sorrow apart from his companions” (69; bk.1, ln.348-349). Ignoring the consequences, he still withdrew himself from the war.

Aias who delivered the shortest speech received the biggest reaction from Achilles while talking to Odysseus, saying “He is hard, and does not remember that friends’ affection / wherein we honored him by the ship's, far beyond others...” like Achilles is not present (9.630-1). He got a glimpse of the backlash he will face if he continues to not join the war, but he does not understand the gravity of the situation he is in. Achilles has the knowledge of how the “strong-greaved Achaeans,” mentality is (7.172). As the great warrior Diomedes already influencing soldiers to “pay him no more attention,” to a point that they do not care “whether he comes in with [them] or stays away” because at this point they want to go home (9.701-2).

As a result, these characters follow the heroic code which in turn will bring the glory of war. In book nine Achilles is faced with a dilemma between the glory of war and a life of peace and longevity. When Achilles is tempted to take on a life of easiness he knows in his conscious that his fate does not lay there. Thus, the importance of the heroic code tempts him back to his destined position. In book nine Achilles makes it clear despite his anger that he will return. He states, "I will not think of arming for bloody war again, not till the son of wise King Priam, dazzling Hector batters all the way to the Myrmidion ships and shelters, slaughtering Argives, gutting the halls with fire" (9.795-798). It is evident, regardless of Achilles ' anger towards Agamemnon, that he feels the heroic code luring him back where he is most content. Conversely, Agamemnon 's final goal is also to achieve the glory of war regardless of the fact that he will not tempt to risk his life. When riches are obtained it is inevitable

Achilles envy at the power of Agamemnon is a major part of the glorification of war, since the rewards of war dominate the power struggle between the two warriors. In the end, Achilles regains his war-prizes by defeating the Trojans, which reinforce the underlying theme of envy as a reward system that glorifies the victors of war. Homer’s justification and glorification of war is primarily based on the power struggles between the Achaean warriors, which define the influence of envy on the behaviors of Menelaus,

Emotions influence may of the decisions made by the characters during the war. Achilles for instance becomes angry, as he feels insulted by his commander. As a result, he refuses to take part in the war causing a great loss for the Greek army. The commander and several of the army members are wounded and the enemies, the Trojans, canre break through to their camps. Another character, Hector, has his emotions all mixed up in the decisions he makes for the army. He is impulsive and sometimes does not think his decisions over, for instance, he commands his men to camp outside Troy’s wall causing a major defeat for the

Unlike Hector, Achilles did not fight for his people. He fought for his own cause. His people begged him to go back into battle asking him to have “pity on the rest of the Achaeans who are being harassed in all their host” (Homer

All this if Achilles would but leave his anger and come again to his place among [the Greeks] in the battle-mass” (47). But Achilles would not accept surrender; Achilles bound himself yet again with invisible chains saying, “…I will not fight until great Hector sweeps the Trojan charge right to the prows of my own black galleys. Then, and only then, I will give him work for his spears”

Achilles has been considered the greatest hero of the Greeks in the Iliad for numerous valid reasons. Similarly, Achilles not only stays humble, but extremely courageous. Waiting patiently for Hector, Achilles says, “No man so long as I am alive above Earth… and see daylight shall lay the weight even if you mean Agamemnon.” (1.88-90) In this statement, Achilles says that no one should ever have power over him. “So, must one be called of no account and a coward if I must carry out every order you may happen to give me….” (6.293-303) Clearly, he fears no one and does not understand the meaning of failure. Achilles constantly acts as man of fierce strength and courage.

The Great Achilles, great for his passion, skills in the art of war, however, something eerily stands of in his almost dominating, charismatic character. His wrath is that of none. The merciless Achilles, why? Why would the poet choose to focus on the wrath of Achilles more than anything in The Illiad? From his apparent distain towards Agamemnon, to his seething anger towards the Gods, leading to the gut-wrenching revenge inflicted upon Hector, it is clear as day that Achilles’s wrath is one of the most highlighted attributes of any character in English language today.