Achilles Flaws
No one is perfect. Everyone who has, is, and ever will walk on the earth has flaws. Even the Greek gods, who seemed impeccable to those around them, had weaknesses. Some would say that Achilles was one of the most important people in Greek Mythology. Many people considered Achilles a hero. He was brave, strong, and victorious, yet he was not perfect. He fought gallantly to protect the ones whom he loved. Even though a person may seem perfect sometimes, it is safe to say that no one is flawless. Every hero has a hamartia. A hamartia is a fatal flaw that eventually leads to the demise of a hero. Achilles’ hamartia, or his fatal flaw, was a characteristic trait: his pride. His pride caused him to withdraw himself from the fight, which caused
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him great problems in the future. Aside from pride, Achilles was always angry and full of rage; “Anger be now your song, immortal one, Achilles’ anger, doomed and ruinous,” (The Iliad, Homer, 5). The results of Achilles’ flaws are irreversible.
Achilles was quick to act upon things. This eventually led to the death of his dear friend, Patroclus. When Achilles withdrew from the battle, he let Patroclus borrow his armor and gear. Hector saw the armor and, assuming it was Achilles, attacked him; “he plummeted, and life ebbed from his bones” (Homer, 394). After this, Hector killed him.¬¬¬¬¬ Achilles’ pride and anger were not the only factors contributing to his downfall. Achilles may have been full of pride and anger, but it was a physical vulnerability, his “Achilles heel”, that caused his demise. ¬¬¬¬¬At the end of the Trojan War, Paris drew his arrow at Achilles. Hitting Achilles in the heel, he fell dead. Achilles pride caused him to kill Hector. Paris, Hector’s brother, avenged his death by shooting him in the heel. Achilles had physical flaws, such as his “Achilles heel”, which was a physical weakness. Even if someone seems perfect, there is not a person on earth that is impeccable. The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Holy Bible, Romans.3.23). Achilles, whom everyone considered a hero, caused the death of a friend due to his pride. That death led to an act of revenge by Achilles. Achilles killed Hector to avenge his friend’s death. That revenge ultimately led to a physical vulnerability and ultimate death of Achilles. Achilles’ weakness is proof that he is
flawed.
him great problems in the future. Aside from pride, Achilles was always angry and full of rage; “Anger be now your song, immortal one, Achilles’ anger, doomed and ruinous,” (The Iliad, Homer, 5). The results of Achilles’ flaws are irreversible.
Achilles was quick to act upon things. This eventually led to the death of his dear friend, Patroclus. When Achilles withdrew from the battle, he let Patroclus borrow his armor and gear. Hector saw the armor and, assuming it was Achilles, attacked him; “he plummeted, and life ebbed from his bones” (Homer, 394). After this, Hector killed him.¬¬¬¬¬ Achilles’ pride and anger were not the only factors contributing to his downfall. Achilles may have been full of pride and anger, but it was a physical vulnerability, his “Achilles heel”, that caused his demise. ¬¬¬¬¬At the end of the Trojan War, Paris drew his arrow at Achilles. Hitting Achilles in the heel, he fell dead. Achilles pride caused him to kill Hector. Paris, Hector’s brother, avenged his death by shooting him in the heel. Achilles had physical flaws, such as his “Achilles heel”, which was a physical weakness. Even if someone seems perfect, there is not a person on earth that is impeccable. The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Holy Bible, Romans.3.23). Achilles, whom everyone considered a hero, caused the death of a friend due to his pride. That death led to an act of revenge by Achilles. Achilles killed Hector to avenge his friend’s death. That revenge ultimately led to a physical vulnerability and ultimate death of Achilles. Achilles’ weakness is proof that he is
flawed.