Iliad :: essays papers

IliadAchilles Anger and Unreconciliation Reassessing the Concepts of Mortality and Honor The subject of Homers epic poem, the Iliad, is very clearly stated--it is the rage of Peleus son Achilles. The reader remains continually aware of the extent of Achilles rage, yet is never told the reason why Achilles remains angry and unreconciled. There is no definitive answer to this question. Achilles is not a static character. He is constantly changing thus the question of why he remains angry solicits distinguishable answers at various stages throughout the poem. To find an answer, the reader must carefully examine Achilles ever-changing dilemma involving the concepts of mortality and esteem. At its simplest, Achilles dilemma is that if he goes to war, he provide die. But he will die with glory. Achilles true nature is that of a warrior. The son of Peleus must fight. When he denounces Agamemnon and the Achaeans, he does not go home. His enchant is last in line, near Troy. S ubconsciously, he has already made the choice of accepting a in brief life filled with glory. Subconsciously, he wants to go brook to war. He needs to. However, he also needs to insure his possession of glory and honor. But what kind of glory, what kind of honor? He already possesses the honor of the gods. He says, my honor lies in the great decree of Zeus (IX.741.p.272). By book IX, material wealth is no longer what Achilles wants. He spurns Agamemnons offers. The distinctive mortal concepts of heroism no longer concern him his ideals differ from those of his peers. Phoenixs Meleager is no example to him. However, at this point Achilles still does not greet what he wants. Pride and stubbornness still supplement his rage, but now his anger appears to be a manifestation of his fear and confusionStop misidentify my fixed resolve with this (IX.745-746.p.272). Achilles knows that he wants honor and glory, but in what form?What Achilles does know, and what he must deal with, is th e fact that his life will be short if he chooses to have honor and glory. Thus, the choices he makes concerning his honor are crucial. At this point his life is riding on the decision he makes. It is inevitable that Achilles will choose door 2--to go to war, live a short life, and have much glory.