ACHILLES

2. Create an insightful Character Analysis for ACHILLES as illustrated in books 7-12.
• What kind of warrior was he, especially in Book 9?
• Are his decisions appropriate for a king like him? Why? Why not?

Brad Pitt as Achilles in the movie Troy

ACHILLES

Achilles was the greatest hero of the Trojan War and the central character of Homer’s epic poem Iliad. He is the only son of the mortal King of Phthia Peleus and a seanymph named Thetis. Achilles possesses superhuman strength and has a close relationship with the gods. He has all the marks of a great warrior. He is the mightiest man in the Achaean army but his negative/ hidden side hinders his ability to act with nobility and integrity. He cannot control his pride and anger. This attribute poisons him that he abandons his comrades and even prays that the Trojans will slaughter them all because he has been slighted at the hands of his commander Agamemnon. Achilles is driven primarily by a thirst for glory. Part of him yearns to live a long, easy life but he knows that his personal fate forces him to choose between the two. Ultimately, he is willing to sacrifice everything else so that his name will be remembered.

In Book 9, Agamemnon offered Achilles gifts because the Achaean army was losing against the Trojans. Nestor advised Agamemnon to ask forgiveness to Achilles for Achilles might be their last chance for vengeance. Agamemnon listened to him and agreed. He sent Odysseus, big Aias, Odios, Eurybates and Phoinix to talk about his offer to Achilles. But Achilles did not accept any of Agamemnon’s offers. This makes me jump into the conclusion that Achilles is unforgiving. He doesn’t want to fight even though his comrades need him. To make it simple, he only thinks of himself and he doesn’t have any concern/regard for others. And this is what we call being selfish. His pride and ego was too much. One evidence for this is when he said that Hector can’t fight back at him.

For me, his decisions as a king were not appropriate. His decisions became inappropriate because of his judgments, pride and anger. He should possess the qualities of wisdom, knowledge and counsel when making decisions. Again, he should not only think of himself but for the common good. That’s the real mark of a true king!