achilles
The concept of heroism is a central theme in Greek mythology. Achilles, the main character in Homer's The Iliad, accurately depicts 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 o
His development of new ideas shows his ability to stray away from the social norms of society. In order to conform to the ideals of society, Achilles becomes a tragic figure, and ultimately dies to uphold his heroic ideals. After his trial, when he was sentenced to death, Socrates did not abandon the community of Athens. But as a philosopher, he introduced many foreign thoughts and ideologies that were not accepted by all members of his society. Socrates had revolutionary ideas about religion, human nature, and the afterlife. For example, Achilles felt he had lost his honor when Agamemnon takes Briseis away from him. His ideals are more consistent because he does not change his belief system, and always remains faithful and supportive to Athens. He believed that, "acting unjustly, returning injustice, and harming someone in self defense is never right. Even though his outlandish philosophical views are in opposition to the ideals of society, Socrates consistently upholds the laws of the land in which he lives. Socrates, an unprecedented philosopher, and creator of new ideas also has heroic characteristics. 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. His choice to not fight for the Achaians resulted in his and Patroklus' death. In the Iliad, the concept of a hero is extremely inconsistent. He is described as the "swiftest warrior," having no rivals in running.
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Acceptance Essays
