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 hydrophobia 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 authorized answer to this question. Achilles is not a static character. He is constantly changing thus the question of why he remains angry solicits different answers at various stages throughout the poem. To find an answer, the reader must carefully examine Achilles ever-changing dilemma involving the concepts of personity and honor. At its simplest, Achilles dilemma is that if he goes to war, he go forth 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 ship is experience in line, near Tro y. Subconsciously, he has already made the choice of accepting a short life filled with glory. Subconsciously, he wants to go back 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 typical 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 know what he wants. Pride and stubbornness still supplement his rage, but now his anger appears to be a manifestation of his fear and confusionStop confusing my decided 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 the fact t hat his life will be short if he exacts 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.