I think ultimately anger is what lead to Achilles downfall. When Achilles finds out that Hector has killed his dear friend Patroclus, Achilles becomes very anger and vengeful. The only thing on Achilles mind is killing Hector. Achilles is so angry at Hector that he only thinks about killing him and getting revenge. Achilles anger takes over his body and nothing can stop him from getting to Hector, not even the gods.
Homer underlines that this behavior is foul, for Achilles allows his soldiers to wound the body and then bounds Hector’s feet to his chariot in order to harm the body. Although Hector asked him to give his body to his family, Achilles ignores the last will of the dying Trojan hero because he is still obsessed with his revenge. One should remember that the Greeks believed it was the issue of primary importance to bury a person’s body in a decent way so that their spirit would find the sanctuary. In other words, Achilles takes revenge in the most horrible way
Achilles now has nothing to do but choose his own fate, and fight brutally until he either leaves the battle and achieves nostos, or kills Hector and achieves kleos, while also sealing his own fate to die in the war. However, the ominous threat of his own death does not prevent Achilles from fighting valiantly. He slaughters rapidly and brutally, carving a clear path through the Trojans to Troy and to his own kleos. His incredible aristeia is fueled by a total, overwhelming desire to “meet...that Hector who destroyed the dearest life [he knew]” and kill him in battle (18.135-136). Despite his full awareness that killing Hector will destroy any
Both of them were brave Greek warriors who fought in the Trojan war seeking glory. Where Odysseus was just a common man, Achilles was a God among men. His wrath knew no bounds as illustrated in the Illiad. Odysseus on the other hand was cunning and could defeat his enemies or escape danger merely using his intellect. We could say that the fact that Achilles knew his fate beforehand makes him capable of less emotions as he had only glory in mind.
However, Patroclus ignoring Achilles’ command, pursues and reaches the gates of Troy and is killed by Hector. As a result, Achilles fills with such a grief and rage that he rejoin battle. After slaying many Trojans and fighting God of river Xanthus, Achilles slays Hector. Then he lashes his body to back of his chariot and drags it across the battlefield to Achaean camp. That was the second revenge action, which happens in the Iliad.
In Homer’s Odyssey Eurylochus shouldn't have killed Helios’s cattle because of the warning, the promise the men made, and the food they already had. First, Eurylochus shouldn't have killed the cattle because of the warning. Odysseus was warned that if his men touched the cattle that they would die. Eurylochus should have known something was going to happen if him and the other men killed the cattle because of the promise they made to Odysseus. Eurylochus said, “But if he flares up over his heifers lost, wishing our ship destroyed…” (Homer), so he guessed that Helios would punish them, but he did the deed anyways.
Achilles is a very emotional fighter, and often times allow his emotions to persuade him to make decisions. For example, Achilles was not willing to fight the Greeks. Because of this Patroclus went to battle in Achilles armor, and was defeated. This flooded Achilles with many emotions, as his best friend had just died because, in Achilles eyes, he had not been there for him. He was devastated, but even more angry, so he sought to avenge his friend and honor his name.
She says that if doesn’t go to Troy, he will find a wife, have children, and live a long life. Although, if he stays home, he won’t be remembered by future generations of his family. However, if he fights at Troy, he will be remembered for generations, but he will die. Both of these versions of the story show that Achilles wants to be remembered for glory no matter what. Since the movie is based off The Iliad, there are a lot of things that are in both.
Alongside Achilles’ responsibility for Patroclus’ fate, Hector also holds accountable too because in book 16, Hector talks to Patroclus about entering into the Trojan War; however, Patroclus fell gullible to Hector’s actions, and Hector turned out to be deceiving by stabbing him (being Patroclus) in the bowel and eventually killing him. Hector, and Achilles influenced fate among mortals, like Patroclus, so they could protect themselves until the end when Achilles frightens Hector with the dramatic irony, which seals his fate too. This paragraph defined the shape, which fate takes in the lives of other by peer influence created by characters who were considered high strength warriors followed by the backfiring of trying to keep them self alive. (This being Hector’s
Throughout book 18 of the Iliad, we are told in great detail of Achilles magnificent shield. Achilles decides to go into battle, but Hector has his armor. His mother, Thetis, hears his cries and comes down to him. He asks her to find armor that is stronger than his armor that Hector has taken. Thetis goes up to Hephaistos and requests him to make this armor as fast as he can.