The Growth Of Achilles During The Trojan War

Meanwhile, Hector was often pictured as a strong, valiant man who also had a gentler side, unlike Achilles. Even when facing attacking armies, Hector fought to protect his family from the invading forces and for the survival of his city. It should be noted that before Hector faced the tragedies of the upcoming Trojan War, he blessed his only son and asked Zeus, the god of all gods, to grant his son to be like him, the “first in glory among the Trojans” (340). Though Hector was a better man in a moral sense when compared to Achilles, he still had some flaws. While attempting to eliminate Achilles, Hector mistakenly killed one of Achilles’ closest men, Patroclus, who happened to be wearing Achilles’ armor. After Patroclus’ death, Hector, under the belief that he had defeated the great Achilles, removed the armor from the corpse and wore it, which defiled the warrior’s respect and honor. Also, in “Book 22” of the Iliad, Hector tainted his honor during the arrival of Achilles by leaving “the gates [of Troy] behind and [fleeing] in fear” (347). Even though he fled Achilles, Hector knew that in order to save his people, he must face the great runner, and he did so for Troy. Unfortunately for Hector, he was facing certain death. When Hector took his final stand, Achilles, with Athena’s assistance, dealt the final blow that killed the great Hector. Due to the infinite outrage of the death of Patroclus’ death still dwelling inside of him, Achilles refused to return

In the Trojan society, Hector is also given a very special role – not only is he the handsome son of Priam, a prince, he is also the strongest of the fighters. This is established when Achilles himself says of Hector after killing him:

The death of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest and most beloved companion, causes Achilles to be driven into a rage so intense and so focused at the source of his fury that he loses all common decency towards his target. After Hector slays

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 is the son of Peleus, who is the king of Myrmidon. He was the fearless, striking, and a substantial warrior of the army of Agamemnon in the Trojan war. In Greek mythology, Achilles is notorious for having a preference between a long and peaceful life, or a quick life that will guide him to eternal glory. He states that, “There are no covenants between sheep and wolves, nor between you and me” (Achilles). Achilles had a desire for glory, when it came to the battlefield, but he was fierce and short tempered when it came to Agamemnon. He had superhuman strength, that brought out a sign of worry for the individuals that were on his team. He possessed resistance to injury due to his semi saintly birth.

His love has been the thing that has brought him home. Achilles was protective, and loved his cousin, not allowing him to go to battle with the Trojans. However, Patroclus disobeys him and goes into battle pretending to be him. He dies, and Achilles vows revenge against Hector, the man who killed him. The human trait of love spurs Achilles to kill Hector, and go on to destroy the city.

“Remind him of that, now, go and sit beside hime, grasp his knees... see how mad he was to disgrace Achilles, the best of the Achaean” (1, 484-490). This pacifies Achilles’ rage briefly while he goes back to the ships and refuses to help the struggling Achaeans on the battlefield because Agamemnon hurt his pride. Another instance that highlights Achilles flaw of anger is when the great Trojan warrior, Hector, kills Achilles close comrade Patroclus. Achilles bursts from his sulking attitude out of the Achaean ships in a rage of passionate fury that even his pride cannot overcome. “My dear comrade’s dead... Hector’s battered down by my spear and gasps away his life, the blood-price for Patroclus, Menotius’ gallant son he’s killed and stripped” (18, 94-109). This signifies Achilles’ zenith of anger and represents the turning point in the epic, along with the transition into his dramatic reversal as a character.

Even though Hector runs around the city three times in fear from Achilles, he still ends up choosing to fight him. His decision to fight him however was out of humility and bravery. Humility in the manner that he put himself the people of Troy before himself. Bravery because he very well knows he is going to die but finds it in himself to fight. Achilles shares neither of these two traits.

Prior to the Greek arrival at Troy, Achilles was introduced as a young teenager who was skilled on the lyre and enjoyed his free time with Patroclus. The narrator would frequently refer to Achilles as the aristos achaion but never provided any further information as to the extent of his skills. Patroclus has always been so fond of Achilles’ gentle and compassionate ways which leads one to believe that war may have damaging affects on their relationship. It is not until the Greek ships near the shores of Troy that achilles first kills another man. At this point it is evident that Achilles possess incredible skill in battle, and will be a very important asset to the Greeks during this war.

The "Iliad" takes place in the ninth year of a ten year war. The Great War places Hector, leader of the of the Trojans, directly in conflict with, Achilles, leader of the Achaeans. Hector killing Achilles brother, Patroclus, is what begins the feud between Hector and Achilles. While Achilles and Hector fight on opposing sides, both heroes demonstrate high standing in their tribe, pride, and ruthlessness. This is important because their similarities is what makes the battle between them so epic.

Achilles’ insolent pride backfires on him when he becomes ultimately responsible for the death of his best friend Patroclus. Although Achilles still refuses to fight, he allows Patroclus to where his armor into battle. The sight of what the Trojans think is Achilles terrorizes them at first, but Apollo pushes him down and knocks off Patroclus’ armor. Hector sees the injured imposter on the ground and delivers a fatal wound. Only now, out of personal grief, does Achilles return to the battle.

Achilles will then show strong determination and seek revenge on Hector. The battle between Achilles and Hector is full of wrath. They are battling at the front gates of Troy when Hector becomes terrified after being confronted by Achilles. Hector tries to get away from him, but he cannot escape.

His actions directly cause even more difficulties on his journey home. In Achilles’ case, his pride indirectly influenced the fate of countless Greeks willing to fight against Troy, while he remained pouting. In an article about the Trojan War, Kevin Osborn states, “His tremendous pride caused him at one point to abandon his Greek comrades and quit the war because he felt insulted,” (Osborn). Had Achilles fought sooner, the war would have ended faster, and less lives would have been lost. Yet, as any great hero should be, both these men are terrific fighters. These men do not shy away from any form of combat and have no fear of getting blood on their hands. The real differences between these heroes appears in their methods of enacting violence.

Achilles starts fighting for revenge, while Hector fights to defend Trojan. After Patroclus was killed by Hector, Antilochus told Achilles. “A black cloud of sorrow came upon Achilles as he heard”, and tells his mother that Hector must die from his spear, he “must pay for Patroclus’ death”(149-151). Achilles loses all his humanity and has no mercy after his friend had been killed; however Hector holds on to his humanity while fighting. Achilles began killing Trojans mercilessly until he got what he wanted, because the vengeance for his friend mattered more than his humanity. Achilles also did not feel remorse when he slaughtered Hector in front of his entire

Achilles is one of the greatest heroes in The Iliad. For example, he has a high social status. Thorough The Iliad, Achilles is the strongest warrior in the Greek army. As the strongest warrior, he has a high social status. Furthermore, he fought in the Trojan war which was the most important war in the book. Although he had not participated all throughout the war when he appeared there were many important happenings. Lastly, he was an honorable individual as stated in the text. Many times Achilles is referred to as honorable by other characters, making him heroic.