The Iliad is a riveting tale of violence and rage amongst heartbreak and tragedy, where a range of emotions are evoked through various events and decisions made by the characters throughout. Some of these characters act on impulse, while others think over with others and themselves to find the best course of action and do what they feel would be the best, be it for their families or their people, or for themselves alone. Through such feelings, certain events play out that either work out to the favor of the characters, or the exact opposite. Characters like Achilles and Agamemnon act on their anger, often going beyond what would be deemed reasonable and even affecting the events following. Achilles’ anger was triggered by Agamemnon’s arrogance
Achilles shows unforgivingness when the death of Patroclus, his good friend, causes Achilles to only become more enraged except this time points his anger toward Hector, his enemy. Despite the differences in the two heroes of the epic poems, they do have some similarities in the traits they display. For example both characters show the trait bravery and cunning in battle. When Beowulf proceeds to fight Grendel he portrays bravery by sacrificing his own men before fighting Beowulf himself.
As the book states: “Agamemnon did not forget the threat that he had made Achilles, and called his trusty messengers and squires Talthybius and Eurybates. ”Go," said he, "to the tent of Achilles, son of Peleus; take Briseis by the hand and bring her hither; if he will not give her I shall come with others and take her- which will press him harder. " This action was taken by Agamemnon to sooth his pride which was hurt at this point. Achilles took the loss of Briseis as something that would hurt his pride and ego and also prove to be humiliating because she was a prize that was given to Achilles by Agamemnon because of his courage. When Agamemnon took away his polished prize, he not only humiliated him but also devalued his contributions as a warrior; therefore after Agamemnon takes away his prize, Achilles withdraws angrily from the battle, because of which the Greeks suffer heavily.
She uses allusion to invoke a sense of purpose in her son completing his journey and gaining the knowledge he needs in order to grow. When Abigail Adams suggest that her son was fortunate enough to witness "who have made glorious defense of their invades liberties. " She uses Americas history into becoming an independent country to show hardship that will come but the outcome from it is even better. Next example she used is, "Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator if had not been roused, kindled, and inflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Antony." Adams proposes that adversity will come in life, but it will make him a great leader.
All through The Odyssey, the characters develop in a certain way that interchanges the outcome of the book. Odysseus is able to develop knowledge and wisdom to deal with his men during the battle and the suitors who were frustrating his wife. In addition, he came back home as a hero after the Trojan War. Telemachus developed into a mature man who could deal with any problem in his father’s absence. However, based on the story, it is evident that, Telemachus demonstrates a great change basing upon the times the characters were away from Ithaca.
His trials and tribulations from the God’s are brought on from his own over-confidence of his cleverness and wittiness - his greatest assets also proved to be his biggest downfall. Odysseus’s quest was only to return home to his wife and child with his crew, but that fell short when he offended the God of the sea, Poseidon, by blinding his son the Cyclops to escape. Odysseus’s fault came when he decided to mock the Cyclops and announce his name to him in such a taunting manner, “You savage! But you got yours in the end, Didn’t you?” (Pg.
Achilles, angered that Agamemnon is claiming his war prize, Briseis, can barely restrain his rage. He threatens to leave the war knowing that he is very well responsible for their success in it. At this point in the book, the Gods haven't entirely grown angry with Achilles and Athena even goes out of her way to guide Achilles to not attack Agamemnon. The scene is essentially a power struggle where Achilles is unable to look past his own pride. He cannot stand to feel less powerful than Agamemnon, thus like a child he stomps off and with him, his elite group of skilled warriors, the Myrmidons.
From the grief of the Greeks and the Trojans comes greater understanding of the price of war. According to “The Type of Stories Chart” the epic poem is categorized as a success story of Greeks in the Trojan war, but the poem sobers the success of the Greeks with the constant reminder of death in war. In
Roman heroes must cope with obstacles that are set before him by opposing forces, whether they be man or god. He is also aided in his journey by his patron god or goddess and his deceased relatives. The Virgilian hero, according to Rosenberg, represents the forces of order, self-discipline, rational thinking, and constructive behavior. On the other hand, the non-Virgilian hero acts as a deterrent using the forces of disorder, passion, irrational thinking, and violence (p. 259). He is hindered along the way by Juno, the sea, a passionate woman, another storm, and Juno again by influencing the people of Latium.
Since it is not your destiny yet to die and encounter fate. for thus I heard it in the speech of the gods everlasting. " Yet when Hectors fate finally comes it is utterly grim.
He takes Haimon’s well-spoken remark, and turns it into an insult against his son’s age. This is something that a character lacking self-confidence would argue as soon as their motives are challenged. Confrontation should not insight insult, it should insight intelligent and respectful conversation. It might be slightly more normal to argue with your family over serious issues, but Kreon upholds his undesirable traits even when speaking to the world’s most renowned and respected seer of the future, Tiresias. Tiresias, old and blind, has a guide lead him to Thebes to tell Kreon that his actions have upset the gods, and that he must free Antigone and allow her to give Polyneices a proper burial (998-1032).
The Iliad is a mild representation of a very precise feeling of emotion that connects with the texts; Petersen’s Troy and Malouf’s novel Ransom. Imagery is visualised by having the characters assemble between the setting of the text to show a greater understanding to all readers and/or viewers. Through exploring the personal concepts of Homer’s Book XXIV of The Iliad; it could be argued that finalising the ‘glory of war’ is set upon ‘celebration’. It is of great power to have such awe in such a defined character mindset. “Imagine a king who fights his own battles.