Achilles :: essays research papers

In the modern world, people, as a society, have everlastingly given themselves a goal or goals that they would like to attain at some point during their lifetime. Many people seek to attain riches, love, gladness or high stature within society. When we people set that goal, we ladder to mold our lifestyles around it. As people work throughout their lives to come upon this ultimate goal, it becomes apparent to others what it is we are working so hard for. sound as this pattern is evident in modern society, it can in addition be seen in the times of Homer, particularly in the great Hellenic epic, the Iliad. This distinct pattern can be seen in Achilles, one of the approximately vital characters in the story. Achilles, being the ultimate most powerful warrior of on the whole time, wishes for nonhing in his life but to be the most illustrious man alive, mortal or immortal. It is this profound desire for glory and honor, that in the end leads to his demise. Achilles speech, gi ven while he is distraught over the wipeout of his closest friend Patroklos, is an excellent example of Achilles&8217 desire (Iliad, 18.79). Patroklos is slayed by Hektor, the Trojans sterling(prenominal) warrior and Achilles&8217 main rival. Hektor, takes the armor (given to him by Achilles&8217) off of his dead body, and puts it on himself. Hektor is describe as &8220riding around in exclusively its glory. After sacred scripture of Patroklos&8217 death, the Achaians are intensely dejected. To show just how disheartened the Greeks are, Homer describes the hands as lamenting.&8220(Then sighing heavily)&8230 my dear companion has perished, Patroklos, whom I loved beyond all other companions, as well as my own life&8230Thetis spoke to him, letting tears fall (377, Iliad, 18.78).It can be sensed that, although in lately mourning for his lost friend, Achilles is just as well upset because he sensed a s light-headed degree of failure. &8220Now, since I am not going back to the bel oved land of my fathers, since I was no light of safety to Patroklos, nor to my other companions&8230(378, Iliad, 18.101).This failure in the sense that, Achilles being the superlative warrior in all the land able to kill hordes of men at will, was incapable of saving the person that mattered the most to him. This insecurity is the source of Achilles &8220duty to contain revenge upon Hektor, the assassin of Patroklos. Achilles makes the decision to kill Hektor in spite of the position that his fate will be to die.