Achilles Changes Essay - 557 Words

The Iliad, a book by Homer about the Trojan War, focuses a lot on Achilles and his internal struggle with his personal desires. In the time of the Trojan War, there was an unspoken code of morals and how warriors of honor should follow. If they did not fight or acted cowardly it not only brought them shame but their family name was looked down on. Warriors that were defeated weren’t always killed because they were sometimes taken prisoner to be used for ransom money or gifts. However, in the Iliad, Homer shows that sympathy rarely is evident in war. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Achilles’ stubborn and cowardly sides are shown when Ajax, Phoenix, and Odysseus travel to visit him and beg him to return to the fight. Instead of acting like†¦show more content†¦He forces the Trojans to retreat all the way into their own walled city. This is where Achilles and Hector meet to avenge Patroclus’ death. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Hector is beat by Achilles and asks him for mercy in his death. Achilles refuses, also being consumed by his ego he doesn’t act as the better person despite what his previous experiences have taught him about how to act. So he tortures Hector before killing him and did the same to his body as Hector did to Patroclus’. Achilles drags Hector’s body all the way around Troy three times tied to the back of his chariot. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;At the very end Achilles for the first time in the story shows that he can be non-egoistic and can be compassionate. The Greeks finish their mourning for Patroclus and about burn the body of Hector. But, Zeus decides that Priam, Hectors father, will be allowed to have Hectors body. So Priam goes and begs to Achilles for Hectors body back. Achilles actually weeps with Priam and allows him to take the body without asking for ransom money. The unbelievable part is that Achilles wants a truce with Priam so that Priam can properly mourn his son’s death. By giving Hector a proper burial it returned some respect to his name and let his family have some peace. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Achilles goes from an egoistic man to a compassionate warrior in the very end. Though The Illiad isn’t just aboutShow MoreRelatedThe Change of Achilles Essay529 Words   |  3 PagesIn The Iliad, Achilles faces many decision-making situations. He shows a human side like any other person, but when fate takes over, he goes in a series of changes. The all mighty Achilles turns into a weeping child when his prize is taken away. His long lasting anger against Agamemnon turns into camaraderie after his friend Patroklos is killed and finally his wrath against Hectors body turns into compassion when Priam begs for the body to be returned. Many could argue that when something isRead MoreSympathy : Sympathy And Mutual Identification1435 Words   |  6 Pagesare normal to them. Therefore, their sympathy is represented in a different form. 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