The Character of Achilles
Achilles is the main character in Homer's epic work The Iliad. TheIliad can be seen as the story of Achilles' character development, as hefirst allows himself to become consumed by his own flaws, and then becomesaware of his own flaws and is able to overcome them. This will now belooked at further, by focusing on Achilles' character and how it develops One of the most admirable aspects of Achilles' character is hisability on the battlefield. He is presented as a brave and capablewarrior, and this is something that he is both respected and feared for.Apollo describes this aspect of Achilles' character where he says, "Letthat man beware, for great and glorious as he is, we mighty gods will wheelon him in anger - look, he outrages the senseless clay in all his fury!"(Homer, XXIV, 58-60). This statement shows that Achilles' ability as awarrior is something that makes him "great and glorious." This statementalso suggests that this ability could lead to problems, especially where itrefers to Achilles "fury." The suggestion is that Achilles is a greatwarrior because of this fury he has, yet this fury could also become his
Achilles is enraged by this suggestion to the point that he draws hissword to kill Agamemnon. No one can keep the dogs off of your head, not if they brought me ransom of ten or twenty times as much, or more. This statement byAchilles shows that his concern is based on not feeling that he isrespected and appreciated for what he does. Another scene that clearly shows Achilles acting out of anger is where hekills Hector. These scenes show Achilles major character flaw, which is that heallows himself to become consumed by anger, with this anger becomingextreme to the point that it is rightly described as "fury. In this scene, Achillesalso mentions that while he is the one doing the battles, it is the kingwho takes the prizes: "Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of theTrojans do I receive so good a prize as you do, though it is my hands thatdo the better part of the fighting" (Homer, I, 163-166). " Achillesactions are then driven by this fury. This aspect of Achilles' character is then further developed whenPatroclos is killed. This shows that Achilles has a strongsense of pride and is not willing to compromise that pride. This is also the first time that action gives way to reason. These lines describe the terrible things that Achilles does out of anger. Achillesdescription of wishing his fury could compel him to "cut away your fleshand eat it raw" suggests that Achilles is acting more like an animal than aman. The source of this anger is also based onAchilles' pride where he considers Agamemnon taking his prize as a greatdishonor. The conversation Achilles has with his mothermakes Achilles aware of his actions.
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Acceptance Essays
