Achilleus Rage In Homer's Iliad

Achilleus’ Rage

Hero’s are found multiple times in Homer’s Iliad. The strong Patroklos is considered a hero in his selfless offering to go into battle to fight with his friends. As he pleads with Achilleus saying, “ then send me out at least, let the rest of the Myrmidon people follow me, and I may be a light given to the Danaans” (XVI. 38-39). Even though Patroklos has nothing to do with the war itself, he is selfless in feeling compassion for his friends and wanting to fight alongside them in battle. In addition, the uplifting speeches Nestor and Telamonian Aias give to the troops are illustrations on how hero’s should act. To take account of each other, to be disciplined, to

A significant amount of being a hero involves physically fighting. One could say since Achilleus is fighting and presenting a hope of victory for the Argives then he is portrayed as more heroic. However, hero’s are praised for their selflessness in battle and their good hearts, not acting on anger and revenge. Patroklos sets a good example of a hero, with such empathy for his countrymen he says, “… such grief has fallen upon the Achaians. For all those who were before the bravest in battle are lying up among the ships with arrow or spear wounds” (XVI 22), and then pleading with Achilleus to let him go into battle. Patroklos is willing to die, as long as it is for and beside his friends. Whereas, Achilleus has the wrong intentions for fighting in battle. In his fury, his emotions take action, primitively speaking, “ Now I shall go, to overtake that killer of a dear life, Hektor.” (XVIII 114). Having anger in general and furthermore acting upon his anger makes him less heroic. He replaces compassion with disrespect and discipline with revenge in his fighting. There is no point in calling someone a hero if their intentions are evil. Also as Agamemnon reflects upon his outburst of anger with Achilleus, admitting, “ Aged sir, this was no lie when you spoke of my madness. I was mad, I myself will not deny it.” (IX 115). Achilleus is also driven to a similar madness of anger from a wounded pride and a death of a dear friend.Thus emotions drive ones