In Homer’s The Iliad, Hector and Achilles are both amazing heroes who receive a great amount of respect from their people. Achilles is in charge of the Greek army, while Hector leads the Trojan army. Both are strong and fearless soldiers who are almost god-like, but with plenty of human flaws. They both have failures that eventually lead to tragedy. Moreover, both are ruled by fate through the mercy of the gods (Book 22; 331). These two great warriors share many outstanding differences that ultimately shape my opinion on each character, such as their view on the importance of family and the amount of honor they each obtain.
One essential difference between Hector and Achilles is their personal value of family. Hector seems to push aside
The most powerful warriors in this story were Hector and Achilles. Both men were given the title of heroes and displayed great power, skills and courage. But the values of Hector and Achilles were very different from one another and very different from the people of today’s society. Dignity, pride, honor, glory, fame, and revenge are very important to these people as it still is today, but it is achieved in a
Achilles and Hectors relationship was one filled with hate and resentment for each other. Much of their hate stems from book 15 and 16 of the Iliad. In this part of the epic poem Achilles is upset because he was disrespected, and decides that he will not fight in the war to show them how much they need him. Patroclus went to visit Achilles in his tent to beg him to let him wear his armor into battle. Achilles was still not wanting to join the fight, so he let Patroclus use his armor. Achilles allows this with the understanding Patroclus will only be there long enough to save the ships, and then return. As Patroclus is getting dressed one of the ships is set on fire. Achilles sends soldiers to help and then asks Zeus to let Patroclus and the ships return unharmed. When the Trojans see
Of course both Hector and Achilles have there own notable strengths. Achilles is best known for his combat skills in war. He is the best and strongest warrior to the Greeks, and his skills were important in fighting against the Trojans. On the other hand, Hector is best known for his bravery. Instead of running away and hiding
More people probably like Hector better, because he has a family. “Hector is portrayed as a family man earning him many brownie points.” Because it looks like he is fighting for his family. On the other hand, Achilles is fighting for himself a lot of the time. In addition, for most of the Iliad he is not fighting.
Hector’s pride caused him to be clouded with negative thoughts in his quest for revenge as he brutally slaughtered the Trojans and excessively tortured Hector. Nevertheless, Priam’s sorrow causes Achilles to empathize since he could imagine what it would be like if his father had to go through a similar situation like Priam. This change of heart causes Achilles to forgo hatred in exchange for compassion. Although Achilles shows flaws in his character, his heroism even in the brink of death along with this transformative change as a person demonstrates the cultural expectations of strong leadership in terms of taking physical and emotional qualities into strong consideration.
In Homer's epic, The Iliad, there are many great characters, both mortal and immortal. However, no characters seem to match the greatness and importance of Achilles, the mightiest of the Greeks and Hector, Trojan prince and mightiest of the Trojans. Although they are the mightiest of their forces, their attitudes and motives for the Greek-Trojan war are completely different.
Honor: honesty, fairness, or integrity in one 's beliefs and actions; this is the definition by which these two characters, Hector and Achilles, ought to be judged. By taking this definition to heart, Achilles is far from honorable. Throughout the Iliad, Achilles acts on rage and revenge. “Rage-Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaens countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls, great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the dogs and birds…” (1, 1-5) From the beginning of the epic the reader learns of Achilles rage and wants for
Hector, a Trojan warrior, spirit reflects a man of great courage, strength, and loyalty throughout the Iliad. As the Greeks trekked upon his lands, he embraced the battle. It was his duty to fight and not flee. Any other behavior was not acceptable in the eyes of his culture. For instance, when Alexanderus
Although Turnus, from Aeneid, is considered a “second Achilles”, he is unlike Achilles, from the Iliad, because he is ignorant of his fate, and his furor, or fury, is invoked by the Gods (Aen. 6.113). Aeneas is also different from Achilles because Aeneas shows pietas, devotion to the community, and he generally shows compassion, whereas Achilles puts his self-interests first and never shows compassion. However, Achilles and Aeneas are quite similar because their fury stems from feeling at fault for the deaths of their comrades, and this rage makes them lack sympathy while killing many opponents.
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
In Homer’s epic, the Iliad, the legendary, has no two characters that are so similar yet so different as Greek warrior, Achilles, and the Prince of Troy, Hector. Achilles is the strongest fighter in the Greek side, and Hector is the strongest Trojan. They are both put into the mold of a hero that their respective societies have put them into; however; it is evident that they are both extremely complex characters with different roles within their society and with their families, and with the gods.
The Ancient Greeks idealized and worshiped their heroes, this is portrayed in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. To become a hero in ancient Greece, one would have to live and die in pursuit of glory and honor. Both Achilles and Hector seek victory in battle to become the “true hero.” Although both characters possess many hero-like qualities, Hector proved to be the genuine hero.
Homer's Iliad enthralls readers with its’ valiant heroes who fight for the glory of Greece. The Iliad, however, is not just a story of war; it is also a story of individuals. Through the characters' words and actions, Homer paints portraits of petulant Achilles and vain Agamemnon, doomed Paris and Helen, loyal Patroclus, tragic Priam, versatile Odysseus, and the whole cast of Gods. Ironically, the most complete character in the epic is Hector, enemy hero, and Prince of Troy. Hector is in many ways the ideal Homeric man: he is a man of compassion and piety, a man of integrity and bravery, a man who loves his family, and above all, a man who understands and fulfills his social
Although Achilles and Hector are both leaders of men, Hector leads with a mature sense that gives his men reason to respect him. In turn, Hector respects his men which gives fulfillment to both parties. Hector is not a man to sit around and mull over strategies and ideas - Hector is a man of action.
Hector on the other hand, is a more sympathetic hero than Achilles. Hector is the leader of the Trojan forces in this epic poem. He is driven by the idea of protecting his home and his family; he is driven by a sense of responsibility. While Achilles is stuck on the idea of having his ego hurt, Hector is focusing on more important things, demonstrating his selflessness. When Hector, comes to see his son after battle, the child screams with horror at the sight of the armor. Hector understands his child in an instant and takes off his helmet, with its giant horsehair plume, then bends over, picks his boy up and embraces him, while Andromache looks on happily. Hector goes on to say…