There are many different ways for a certain person to define a hero. Dictionary.com defines a hero as “a man of distinguished courage ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.” Some people, when they hear the word hero, they think of someone like Superman or someone with extraordinary powers, like super strength or flying. Some people may think of their parents. In Homer’s epic poem of The Iliad, Homer portrays his view of a hero in his character of Achilles.
During Achilles’ time, the definition of a hero was individual glory and honor, lust for blood and battle and self independence. Achilles was independent, for example, when he refused to fight for a cause he did not believe in and under a general he did not like. “What a worthless, burnt-out coward I’d be called id I would submit to you and all your orders... Never again, I trust, will Achilles yield to you.” (pg. 87, Book 1 lines 343-344, 347) Even though Achilles was taking a big risk by challenging his commander, he still chose not to follow everyone else and be self independent. Another example of his independence is when, even though Agamemnon offered him “Seven tripods never toughed by fire, ten bars of gold...” (pg. 255, Book 9 line 148) along with other gift if he would come back and fight, but since he did not believe in the cause of the war, he refused to fight. Another example of Achilles’ heroism is his self seeking glory. In the proem of The Iliad it describes Achilles’ honor in previous battles; “ Rage - Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus‘ son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls...” (pg. 77, Book 1 lines 1-3) Achilles was renowned in his time for being an incredible fighter, making his glory known. Another example of his glory is when he kills Hector. “Hector could still gasp out some words, some last reply... he crashed into the dust - godlike Achilles gloried over him...” (pg. 552 Book 22 lines 387-389) Killing Hector gave him an amount of glory that put him above many other because Hector was also known for his skill in battle. A final characteristic of Achilles’ heroism is his bloodlust and long for battle. After Patroclus died, Achilles was determined to fight again and Homer describes Achilles as “starved for war...”(pg. 503, Book 20 line 2) saying that Achilles longed for the battle. When Achilles came charging into the battle for the first time after not fighting for so long he was “afire like the man destroying Ares.”(pg. 505, Book 20 line 55) Achilles not only longed to go back into the battle but he was eager to.
Another fighter in Homer’s Iliad that could fit this Homer’s description was Hector. He had honor in battle and was known for his strength in fighting. Homer said that “...countless ranks struck down by mighty Hector...” (pg. 471, Book 18 line 121) Hector also fought in more of the battle than Achilles, who actually did not show up in the battle at all until the very end. He also dueled Ajax and “When Hector heard that challenge he rejoiced and right in the no man’s land along his lines he strode, gripping hi spear mid-haft, staving men to a standstill...” (pg. 216 Book 7 lines 62-64) Hector was a good enough fighter to bring seasoned fighters to a standstill and to duel Ajax. Hector also had self independence. His self independence is different from Achilles‘, though, in that Achilles’ is more about making his own choice while Hector’s is more about his choice to fight for what he believes in instead of staying with his family at home. Homer describes him as “...the challenger, he with his lust for battle.” (pg. 221 Book 7 lines 250-251) Homer goes right out and states the Hector has a lust for battle. Homer here, by saying that he was “the challenger”, meant that he was the one who had challenged Ajax. Ajax was also renowned for his skill and strength in battle and it would have taken courage to challenge someone like him, but Hector still did.
What it ended up coming down to was that Hector was killed by Achilles. If Hector had not been killed by Achilles, he could have just as easily been the hero of The Iliad as Achilles was. Hector also fought in more of the overall war than Achilles did. Achilles spent most of the book not in the main action while Hector was risking his life the whole time. Hector overestimated himself and underestimated Achilles and got himself killed for it, which also lost him the spot of the hero.
In conclusion, Achilles possess all of the qualities of independence, bloodlust and personal honor and glory. Even though Hector also possess the same qualities, Achilles killed him in battle, losing him the spot. Achilles is the main hero that is portrayed in The Iliad.
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