Essay on "Compare and Contrast Achilles and Hector From the Iliad"

Essay 3 pages (1035 words) Sources: 3

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English Literature

Achilles & Hector: Comparing Warriors from the Iliad

The Iliad is classic and famous example of Greek epic poetry. It is a text that is a fundamental piece of writing in the western tradition. In The Iliad, as with many other epic poems, there is a vast narrative filled with numerous subplots filled with a variety of characters. Some of the most important characters in epic poems are the heroes and the various kinds of heroes there are within an epic tale. Two heroes and warriors from The Iliad are Achilles and Hector. The paper will provide a comparison of these two warriors. The paper will sketch each character through his actions, interaction, choices, and words within the context of the overall narrative, and their functions overall in this piece of literature. Achilles and Hector are both notable, dynamic characters whose paths continue to merge and fork over the course of The Iliad, and in the process demonstrating their similarities as well as differences.

Prince Hector of Troy was son to King Priam and Queen Hecuba. He had the reputation for being the warrior of the greatest skill on the Trojan side in the war between Greeks and Trojans, around which The Iliad centers. As the leader of the Trojan army and Trojan allies, Hector, husband of Andromache and father to Astyanax, apparently killed thousands of Greeks over the course of the war. Hector had admirable and maniacal skill on the battle field, though he did not approve of the war and demonstrated his loyalty to his people with his massive military victories. Hector has several battles along the story, his greatest battle (and loss) with Achilles. He is a warrior that has courage, honor, and is devoted. He is more thoughtful and less reckless. As aforementioned, he was not an advocate for the war, but Hector is a very devoted patriot that does all he can to support his people. The glory that Hector receives as a result of his victories in war are not out of his active search for personal glory, but rather they come at the cost of the preservation of his life and his people's. Hector is Paris' brother and Paris is the man who fell in love with Helen, over whom the whole war is waged. Hector has the ability to resist the charms of Helen unlike his brother, Paris. Hector has the strength and the discipline to not be tempted, besides being a married father. While the war waged on, Paris remained at the palace in Helen's embrace. Meanwhile Hector was on the front lines of the war every day defending his country and making military advances. It is arguable that Hector is able to resist Helen's seductive ways because of his dedication to his country, his family, and the Trojan people. It is also arguable that part of the reason why Hector is against the war is because he (perhaps subconsciously) fears this war will result in the fall of Troy, which is a feeling and thought that he has that repeats over the course of The… READ MORE

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