What Role Does Achilles Play In The Iliad

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

In the modern world, people, as a society, have always given themselves a goal or goals that they would like to attain at some point during their lifetime. Many people seek to attain riches, love, happiness or high stature within society. When we people set that goal, we tend to mold our lifestyles around it. As people work throughout their lives to achieve this ultimate goal, it becomes apparent to others what it is we are working so hard for. Just as this pattern is evident in modern society, it can also be seen in the times of Homer, particularly in the great Greek epic, the Iliad. This distinct pattern can be seen in Achilles, one of the most vital characters in the story. Achilles, being the ultimate most powerful warrior of all

During the early stages of the book where Patroclus and Achilles develop their companionship, their fate was already determined when the gods found interest in Achilles. Since Achilles was born throughout his whole life until the war he has been trained to be Aristos Achaion the greatest of the greeks. It is in his blood ever since he was born. From the first time he was mentioned in the book he was described with importance as character we should know that he will have a signifigant impact on the book.

Change in people is like the Sun going up, it will always happen. Using indirect and direct characterization which is evidence in the text is useful to spotting change in characters. Achilles in “The Iliad” changes from an aggressive, brave man to a selfish, sulking man, to a great soldier.

In Homer's The Iliad, we find the greatest, bravest, and most revered warrior of ancient times. Achilles was the son of Peleus, king of the Myrmidones in Phtia, and Thetis, a sea-nymph. As the legend goes, Achilles got his strength and battle skills when his mother dipped him in the river Styx. Achilles was thereby made invincible. However, Thetis forgot to wet the heel by which she held him and because of this grievous error, Thetis destined her son to defeat. It was prophesied that he would be defeated in battle by being pierced in his only vulnerable spot: Achilles' heel (thus the expression). This single weakness would inevitably be Achilles' downfall, but in the end he would still be defined as a true hero. The prophecy that

Ruthless ambition can alter the way we live our lives and participate in the world that we live in in many different ways. In The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth uses his own versions of ruthless ambition to pursue his newly bestowed “destiny,” no matter who or what gets in his way. To begin his journey of seeking his fate, Macbeth is persuaded by Lady Macbeth to murder King Duncan. It is stated in the text, “But screw your courage to the sticking place And we’ll not fail.

During the time of Homer, leaders within Greek society were often referred to as “basileus”, meaning chief and hero. A good basileus was a leader who strived to be the best through usage of language and combat prowess. The government of a basileus was principally based on recognized power and strength rather than acclaimed wisdom and proven judgement. Within Homer’s Epic The Iliad, Greek hero of the Trojan War and the central character within the narrative, Achilles, displays acts and virtues of a basileus or without being formally a leader. For this analysis of Achilles as a Homeric hero the source that will be used is, Homer’s Iliad (8th cent. B.C.E.) translated by translation by Samuel Butler (1898).

When you boil a pot of water on the stove, it takes a while until it boils. What do you think would happen if you put salt in the boiling pot of water? When ice forms on the streets, it can be dangerous and cause accidents. What do you think would happen if we put salt on the streets before the water froze?

The story is about Achilles and Patroclus meeting, becoming friends, and eventually lovers. This all occurs as Achilles trained to become a great warrior by his sea goddess mother. After the war begins in Troy, Patroclus dies in combat and Achilles avenges him.

Achilles’ character throughout the Iliad does not really evolve from who he is when we are first introduced to him in the epic. He is filled with an immense amount of uncontrollable rage, which in part helps him to be the extraordinary warrior that he is, but also makes him unpredictable, volatile, and headstrong. Achilles relationship with Patroclus is

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

Once Achilles decides to go after Hector to seek revenge for his fallen comrades death, he seals his fate of living a short life full of glory, rather than going back home to live a quiet, uneventful life in peace. This shows a dramatic reversal in Achilles character as his desire to defend his loved ones overcomes his pride from defying Agamemnon. In honor of Patroclus, Achilles comes out from the Achaean ships and

Justice is a major part of this story and the most significant to the Iliad. Although the word justice can be interpreted in many different ways, It is served by Achilles when he is trying to get back at the son of Priam, Hektor for killing his friend Patroklus who was very special to him. In book 22 Achilles achieves justice for his dear deceased friend as he “drove the spear as he came on in fury.” Achilles wanted Hektor to go through the same pain that Patroklus must’ve experienced and it was only fair that Achilles punished Hektor himself so that they would then be even, although it resulted in two deaths because of them. In addition to Achilles attack on Hektor during his final breaths in book 22, Achilles tells him “I have broken your strength; on you the dogs and the vultures shall feed and foully rip you.” He says these words to him to show him that his actions have consequences and

I believe healthy individuals should be able to sell their organs because it is their body and they should be able to do whatever they want with it. Since there are so many people on the list for needing organs, most of them end up dying because they cannot wait for a donor to come along. If it were legal to have people who want to sell their organs, many more individuals on that list would be able to live. Having the option to sell your organs can also help individuals receive money if they are in need of it or if they just want more money to have. Many people in this world would do anything to receive more money, and if having to sell one of your organs is what it takes, many people would be up for that. Being able to sell your organs should

The first set of major steps that Achilles undergoes is the call to adventure, the refusal to the call to action, and the meeting with the mentor. In Book 1 of the Iliad, Achilles is called to fight against the Trojan’s to reclaim Helen, Menelaus wife. Later in the war, Chryseis and Briseis are taken as prizes from a battle. They are the daughters of a priest of Apollo named Chryses. After Chryses begs for his daughters back, the Greeks decide to give Briseis to him and have Chryseis stay. Chryseis belonged to Achilles as his prize from the battle and Briseis belonged to Agamemnon, a political leader of the Greeks. Agamemnon then humiliate Achilles by taking Chryseis Achilles’s prize, for himself. This angered Achilles greatly and caused him to leave the Greek army, albeit temporary. This serves as Achilles refusal to the call of battle. Achilles’s anger is shown in Book 1 lines 188 to 192, these lines show how much Achilles’s pride affects his actions and how he responds to conflict. In this situation, his pride is hurt greatly, to the point where he almost kill Agamemnon, however Athena stops him. Achilles says