Heroes of Their Time, Achilles
The notion of heroism is an important theme in Greek mythology. Achilles, the main character in Homer's The Iliad, accurately portrays the concept of a tragic hero. Throughout his many experiences during the Trojan War, he reflects heroic qualities, and earns his name as the purest, the highest and "the best of the Achaians." Similar to Achilles, Socrates demonstrates several heroic characteristics, in Plato's work The Trial and Death of Socrates. Through his trial, apology and death, Socrates shows that his heroism and his commitment to his society are genuine. The Iliad confirms that a warrior lives and dies in the pursuit of honor and glory. Achilles place as a hero depended upon the understanding of his place in society, and performing with the expectations society had for him. He freely accepted the natural pattern of a hero, consisting of a hero's suffering and a hero's death. In Greek mythology there is no concrete concept of afterlife, so winning and glory then becomes the way to a meaningful life. To Homeric Greeks, death symbolized the loss of all things that were good, but there was one thing that would have been worse for Achilles; dying without glory. As a result, becoming a hero means to either kill or b
If this personal honor awarded to him by the community was compromised, he felt life had lost its meaning. His ideals are more consistent because he does not change his belief system, and always remains faithful and supportive to Athens. e killed in the pursuit for honor and glory. Socrates had revolutionary ideas about religion, human nature, and the afterlife. Achilles was a complex warrior who often ignored the cultural norms of society because he saw through their fallacies, particularly in the contradictory heroic code. Socrates showed his love for his community by staying in a city that had condemned him to death. Achilles and Socrates examine and question the prevalent ideas in their own societies. In contrast to Achilles' inconsistencies, Socrates has a more constant representation of heroic ideals. His heroism was not awarded because of his physical accomplishments, but rather his introduction of new ideas and freethinking, along with his esteemed loyalty to the community. Achilles said, "May I die straightway when I have penalized the wrongdoer so that I may not remain here the laughingstock beside the beaked ship, a burden to the earth. Homer's concept of a hero is evident is his description of Achilles. He is even forewarned by his mother that if he kills Hector his "fate will stand ready. His choice to not fight for the Achaians resulted in his and Patroklus' death. In order to conform to the ideals of society, Achilles becomes a tragic figure, and ultimately dies to uphold his heroic ideals. In the Iliad, the concept of a hero is extremely inconsistent.
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