Jessen1 Ben Jessen Mr. Bradley Honors History/ English October 17, 2008 Achilles Hero Essay In ancient literature, every story has a hero whether politically, militarily or intellectually. In Homer’s classic the Iliad the great Greek hero is Achilles. Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the whole Greek army, namely because he has the most soldiers, and Achilles have captured war brides that they brought back with them, when Agamemnon is forced to give his back to her father. Agamemnon taking Achilles war bride, who he truly loves, severely hurt Achilles pride, so much that he would not fight for the Greeks. By concentrating on his own path to glory Achilles becomes a Greek hero with his own glorious shortcoming.
The Odyssey In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by the Greek poet Homer, the main character, Odysseus, shows signs of heroism. The poem tells the story of Odysseus, a war hero from Ithaca and his journey to redress himself. Throughout the story, Odysseus proves himself to be the hero through his masterful skills, breathtaking strength, and quick thinking. To finally redress himself, he needed wisdom from several of gods. However, Odysseus has good traits that an epic hero has, but he also have bad traits too, such as, being overconfident and angering gods.
However, he insults Poseidon because he didn’t say thanks to him. Poseidon curses him and tells him he will never see his home again. Odysseus faces many dangers and hardships throughout, The Odyssey, An epic poem by Homer. Odysseus is only a hero because he has both human weaknesses and super human strengths. Odysseus is a hero because he has human weakness to overcome which makes his heroism impressive.
Through these battles, Beowulf’s strength, humbleness and courageousness is revealed. These are characteristics that are crucial in defining an epic hero. However, every epic hero has a tragic flaw. Beowulf’s tragic flaw is his pride. His tragic flaw is evident throughout the novel thinking he can win them all.
To overlook the role of Spartan culture in relation to their stand at Thermopylae would be to overlook one of the most influential aspects of the battle. Spartan culture was one of great complexity having many intricate characteristics, which adapted to the situations that they held witness to. Spartans were people of extreme patriotic pride and military prowess, who sought perfection in every form. But equal to their patriotism was their oppressive tactics towards their captives. Spartans weren’t people who believed in the concept of freedom.
What made Achilles such an honorable hero was the fact that he fought for his own pride, not the desire to conquer the war. Although throughout the war, Achilles character flaws impede his ability to fight and act with integrity. His insurmountable rage is the epitome of these flaws, showing vibrantly through his rage for Agamemnon and ultimately destroying his integrity. His never ending lust for glory is the reason why his rage surmounts from a poisoned pride, which is his real Achilles’ heel. This arrogance leads him to becoming slightly obsessed with retaining his pride and not letting anyone slight his bravado.
Alexander The Great, fought in wars for his power rights and his empire, Macedonia. He fought for many ages showing how powerful and brave he was when he never gave up and fought on the wars that he did. Arrian, another historian who also knew Alexander says, “Whilst In war with Alexander, I saw how he made endless pushes to the enemy to win and to not give up. When he later died, I then took place of being captain from the great Alexander.” This is showing Arrians view on the wars that he and alexander The Great fought in. Alexander was very determined and brave enough to fight in those wars that he had won as
“Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles and “The Iliad” by Homer both display an epic hero, Oedipus and Achilles, both of noble birth, characterized by a historical or legendary importance and with pride as their downfall. Their personal qualities determine which more closely fulfills the portrait of an epic hero; Achilles is selfish, while Oedipus sacrifices himself for his nation. Therefore, Oedipus´ characteristics are more representative of an epic heroe. An epic hero is usually a male of noble birth. Achilles is born to Peleus, king of the Myrmidons and Thetis, a sea nymph.
The Spartans pretended to flee from the Persian shields only to turn at the right moment and inflict serious losses on the Persian army. The Spartans maintained their supremacy in warfare until the battle of Leuktra in 371 BC, which was a major factor in the decline of Sparta.The Spartans were defeated in the Battle of Lauctra by the great general and strategist Epaminondas of Thebes. His tactic of using and echelon formation with the leading side loaded up with his best troops and in very deep formation allowed him to break the unbreakable, the Spartan hoplite line crumbled. G.L. Cawkwell, a modern historian, argues that Sparta's defeat a Leauctra highlights the failure of its social system - its narrowness and emphasis on
Andrew Neely IPHS: Odyssey of West Professor Hawthorne September 21, 2009 With reference to his speeches in Book IX, why do you think Achilles rejects the three envoys? Does his rejection suggest that Achilles has come to have doubts about the heroic life and ethos? Please support your answer with textual evidence. The most powerful warrior in Homer’s Iliad, Achilles has all the necessary arête (skills) that embodies the traditional Greek hero. In ancient Greece, skill in battle was valued over any other quality and it defined the Greek man.