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

Agamemnon

Agamemnon was one of the Greek kings who ruled Mycenae and all the Achaean Greeks. He once invited the princes of Troy, Hector and Paris for a party. When Prince Paris abducted Helen who was considered as the most beautiful women on earth and the wife of King Agamemnon, he waged a war gathering everyone around Greece. The famous Trojan War was fought for 10 years and tens of thousands of lives were lost, just for a woman. Agamemnon failed as a king at this point. He never worried about anyone else but himself. His pride and ego hid his eyes and he sacrificed thousands of soldiers.

Achilles

Achilles who first denied to join the war told Agamemnon that he won’t serve any kings. So, from the beginning Achilles was not happy joining for the war but when it came to the dignity and pride of Greece, he accepted to join the war with his own soldiers. Achilles was one reason Greeks were able to survive that war. He broke into the strong shores of Troy and he fought one to one with Hector and saved thousands of soldiers’ lives. He treated the slave girl and Hector’s dead body with dignity. He fought well in the war and became the best soldier in Greek history.

So, in my opinion, Achilles is the best example for a classical hero.

Hector

Hector was the eldest son of Priam the king of Troy and brother of Paris who caused all these trouble. When Paris brought the girl in the ship, Hector warned his brother and requested him to return her. He didn’t want the peace between the two countries to be spoiled. When war broke out, he fought well for his brother, father and his country thus honoring everyone. A hero who helped his country withstand the Greek for a long time. He died fighting Achilles one to one.