Achilles
The Iliad may be seen as an account of the circumstances that irrevocably alter the life of one man: Achilles, one of the greatest warriors. Throughout the course of the poem Achilles goes through many ordeals that change his character immensely. Starting with his quarrel with Agamemnon and withdrawal from battle, to the death of Patroklos, and with the slaying of Hektor. Achilles emotions and actions decide the fate of many warriors on both sides. Achilles struggles with anger, honor, pride, loyalty and love make the poem more that just a gruesome war story. A large source of Achilles anger started with his fight with Agamemnon. Apollo put a plague on the Achaean soldiers that was killing them off. The only way to stop this from killing them all was to give back a priest's daughter who had been captured. This girl "belonged" to Agamemnon and he didn't want to give her up unless he got Achilles girl in return. This would disgrace Achilles honor but
Achilles is a man of noble principles all throughout the poem. He mourns with Priam, which illustrates that Achilles may be harsh but he can also be kind and caring. The death of Patroklos touched Achilles in many ways that changed and shaped his character. It is not an all-new Achilles, but instead the same Achilles who is perhaps wiser due to the lessons that only death can teach. The only point at which he compromises his principles is when he allows Patroklos and his men to go off and fight and refuses to go himself. The slaughter of Hektor is gruesome and horrid. He was going to let it be eaten by the dogs, though the gods protected his body from this. This is the tragedy of human flaws that goes along with anger. This switched his anger from King Agamemnon to Hektor, the man who slew his dear friend. This anger drew Achilles to avenge the death of his friend, to kill Hektor. He chooses a fate of death over dishonor, truly a hero's decision. Many emotions were a result of his death such as love, loss, anger, and sadness. Then after he avenges his fallen companion and the blood lust has left his system, he shows his growth and new understanding of loss with Priam. But when Priam comes to retrieve the body of Hektor, Achilles welcomes him like a friend and calls for a cease-fire so that Hektor can be properly buried.
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,
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