Achilles Vs. Hector In The Iliad By Homer
In “The Iliad” by Homer, the swift runner Achilles fights the prince of Troy, Hector. After a comparison of the two heroes, there were more differences than similarities. This may be true, but both still are great warriors for their side; Achilles for the Archaeans and Hector for Troy. And while Achilles and Hector fight on opposing sides, both heroes demonstrate honor, sympathy, and determination. Even though Achilles and Hector on opposing sides, each demonstrates honor to those around them. Hector shows time and time again his devotion and honor to his family, including his parents and wife, and his city including the people living in it. “Hector is consistently honorable and fights to defend his people.” -”How Are Hector and Achilles Alike and Different in Homer's Iliad. | ENotes." Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2016. While Achilles might not honor his family as strongly as Hector, he still honors his country and his fellow warriors and friends. “...they will honor you, honor you like a god. Think of the glory you will gather in their eyes” -Homer, The Iliad (9.367-368). He’s respected by his peers and is greatly appreciated by the Archaeans. Both heroes show some degree of sympathy for different people. For example, as ruthless as Achilles may be, he shows pity to Priam, Hector’s father, after Priam coming to Achilles to ask
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for his son’s body. As Achilles cries, the reader can see that Achilles does feel love and sympathy for others and that he’s changed from his ruthless killing, to a thoughtful and caring man. “Poor man, how much you’ve borne - pain to break the spirit!” (24.605), Achilles says to Priam, “Come, please, sit down on this chair here…” (24.609). Hector also demonstrated sympathy for his wife after she cries in fear for him. “Pity me, please!” says Andromache to Hector, “Take your stand on rampart here, before you orphan your son and make your wife a widow.” (6.511-512). It’s obvious that both of these heroes do have sympathy, behind the helmet and even after killing many noble men. While both heroes show determination, Achilles seems to show more throughout the book. When Agamemnon takes Briseis from Achilles, Achilles is determined to stay out of the war. “I have no mind to linger her disgraced, brimming your cup and piling up your plunder” (1.201-202). Even after Agamemnon apologizes, Achilles still refuses to return. Achilles is also determined to defeat Hector and his determination pays off. Hector also shows his determination for his city and people, by refusing to leave the gates when Achilles is coming, even though his parents are begging him to come behind the safety of the gates.“Oh Hector! Don’t just stand there, don’t, dear child, waiting that man’s attack-alone, cut off from friends! You’ll meet your doom at once…” (23.43-45). When Achilles and Hector focus on something, they get it done, even if it’s refusing to fight in the war. While Achilles and Hector are on opposing sides and have many differences, they’re both brave, honorable, and have determination.
Achilles is less honorable and brave, he’s still a good hero. Hector on the other hand respects and honors his family, wife, and child along with his city and people in it, like a true hero. Hector is the better hero morally, but is not the protagonist. Achilles is selfish and lacks good heroic qualities about him. He has anger issues and most of the time only fights for himself. As the reader sees the two heroes, it’s clear that though they have differences, they’re more alike than many
think.
for his son’s body. As Achilles cries, the reader can see that Achilles does feel love and sympathy for others and that he’s changed from his ruthless killing, to a thoughtful and caring man. “Poor man, how much you’ve borne - pain to break the spirit!” (24.605), Achilles says to Priam, “Come, please, sit down on this chair here…” (24.609). Hector also demonstrated sympathy for his wife after she cries in fear for him. “Pity me, please!” says Andromache to Hector, “Take your stand on rampart here, before you orphan your son and make your wife a widow.” (6.511-512). It’s obvious that both of these heroes do have sympathy, behind the helmet and even after killing many noble men. While both heroes show determination, Achilles seems to show more throughout the book. When Agamemnon takes Briseis from Achilles, Achilles is determined to stay out of the war. “I have no mind to linger her disgraced, brimming your cup and piling up your plunder” (1.201-202). Even after Agamemnon apologizes, Achilles still refuses to return. Achilles is also determined to defeat Hector and his determination pays off. Hector also shows his determination for his city and people, by refusing to leave the gates when Achilles is coming, even though his parents are begging him to come behind the safety of the gates.“Oh Hector! Don’t just stand there, don’t, dear child, waiting that man’s attack-alone, cut off from friends! You’ll meet your doom at once…” (23.43-45). When Achilles and Hector focus on something, they get it done, even if it’s refusing to fight in the war. While Achilles and Hector are on opposing sides and have many differences, they’re both brave, honorable, and have determination.
Achilles is less honorable and brave, he’s still a good hero. Hector on the other hand respects and honors his family, wife, and child along with his city and people in it, like a true hero. Hector is the better hero morally, but is not the protagonist. Achilles is selfish and lacks good heroic qualities about him. He has anger issues and most of the time only fights for himself. As the reader sees the two heroes, it’s clear that though they have differences, they’re more alike than many
think.