The Iliad of homer is a poem that is "15,693 lines written in dactylic hexameter."(Intro, 14) and takes place during the tenth year of the Trojan War. The Iliad concentrates mostly, on the lives and tribulations of Hektor and Achilleus.
             In this paper I am going to write how Achilleus and Hektor can be understood as tragic figures and why do I think that Hektor is the most tragic character of them both.
             Achilleus is one of the most respected and feared warriors on the Greek side. In addition, Achilleus has excellent leadership skills, and cares deeply for the well being of the Greeks. Achilles has a high sense of honor and lives and dies for the "heroic code."
             However, Achilleus often feels under appreciated by Agamemnon and the Greeks. Consequently, Achaians ungratefulness, the dishonor caused to him by Agamemnon and the death of Patroklos makes Achilleus a very tragic character in the Iliad.
             Achilleus felt deeply under appreciated by the Greeks .in addition, Achilleus is frustrated by his position in the Achaians' social hierarchy. He feels that Agamemnon is exploiting him. For example, Achilleus says to Agamemnon "always the greater part of the painful fighting is the work of my hands; but when the time come to distribute the booty yours far greater the reward."(1,165) What frustrates and sorrow Achilles the most about this situation is that he feels he can not do anything about it, .if he leaves, the Achaians would be destroyed by the Trojans, if he stays he has to keep tolerating Agamemnon belittling comments. So, a useful outlet for Achilleus pain was to use words to abuse and undermine Agamemnon authority. For example, when Kalchas was hesitant to tell Achilleus the reason for Apollo's anger, Achilleus told him that "no man so long as I am alive above earth and see daylight shall lay the weight his hands on you."(1,88) Agamemnon saw those comment as a threat and acted accordingly...