Question

We are learning about The Iliad in mythology and I'm having a bit of troble understanding the context. Can someone summarize the story for me to better understand and assist me with these questions!

Can we view the behavior of Agamemnon or Achilles as appropriate for heroes? How does the characterization of Hector help define heroic behavior for early Greeks?

Answer 1

• Achilles does what classical heroes are meant to do: He fights for pure glory and not outright greed, and he does so knowing that he’s fated to die. Achilles is the one everyone remembers.Achilles had a choice: stay home and refuse to do what he does best fight and bring glory to his home and family, or go to fight and die an early death while saving Greece.
• He can be pitiless actively enjoying the iron in his heart and he can be murderously cruel. He is faster, sharper, bigger, brighter and more important than other men.
• In many ways, Hector can be considered the more heroic of the heroes in The Iliad. While Achilles is forever brooding and nursing his wounded pride, Hector seems to have a less selfish mentality. Many of Hector's speeches throughout the epic have to do with concern about the fate of his city and worry about his family. It is also easy to feel sympathy for Hector since the gods have decided that Greece will win and Troy will lose, and they interfere in the battles to achieve this end. In short, Hector never has a chance.
• Hector showcased the honourable and sympathetic qualities of greeks as a part of his heroic behaviour. He symbolized the civilised greeks and heroic behaviour was not about showing brutality but devotion towards family and their honour and putting the war aside like a wise man.