Priam vs Achilles essays

Priam vs Achilles essays In Homers epic poem The Iliad the great Argive hero Achilles is depicted first as a valiant but emotional character. He is given far too much to his anger and is driven by his vengeance. After being deprived of his beloved Breisis he spins into a torrent of anger and abandons his king and his countrymen to serve his own selfish pride. Achilles eventually returns to the battlefield and defeats the Trojans, but at this point in the story he is only a great warrior. He is simply an invincible hulk of a man whose only merit is literally god-given. It is only after killing Hector, the Trojan kings most beloved son, desecrating his corpse, and being implored by his father does his true honor and valor shine through. It is only through his honor of and respect for Priam that he may transform. Achilles honors a great many things in Priam. I think first and foremost, he admires his likeness to his own father. He has respect for his age and for the things he has done. Priam is a great king that has fathered many sons. He has fought long to protect his kingdom and establish his lineage. I think Achilles honors his love for his sons and, most importantly his love for Hector. He admires his wealth and excellence also. I think both of these are made evident when Achilles says to Priam, you excelled all men, old king, in sons and wealth (XXIV.639) What Achilles at one time view as a war trophy, he now sees as something more. The corpse of Hector is a symbol of a fathers pride and a labor of love. Priam produced many sons but none even compared to greatness of Hector. None fought so tenaciously on the battlefield to defend his homeland. None were so brave and devoted to morality. None cared more for his country and his family. When Priam speaks of Hector he feels ashamed of the way he treated him. He feels guilt for dishonoring such an honorable man and for treating him as a trophy. To dishonor Hector...