Fight Between Achilles And Hektor In The Iliad

Both sources show a very different way that the fight between Achilles and Hektor is portrayed. In the Iliad, the Trojan army starts running into the city walls when they see Achilles approaching on his chariot towards them. Instead of running, Hektor stays to fight him but ends up running away from him and runs around the city walls. This is shown in the Iliad - book 22, line 126-127 - with the quote of, ‘Hector’s flight… along the wall he flew,’ which shows him running away from the vengeful Achilles. In the movie Troy, Hektor is inside the city walls, next to his father, when they see Achilles’ chariot approach and announce for Hektor to avenge Patroklus. Hektor bravely puts on his armour before leaving the city gates to go and fight Achilles.
This is shown with the quote of, “HEKTOR!” from Troy which Achilles yelled at him to call him out. The difference in the two reactions of Hektor facing Achilles has been changed to entertain both audiences. Ancient culture values war and fighting to the death and showing the Trojan’s greatest fighter running away from Achilles would cause them to favour the Greeks because of Hektor’s cowardice and running from a fight which he deserves. The changing of supporting the side of either the Trojan or the Greeks keeps the audience engaged and wanting to find out what will happen. Petersen decided to change the approach to the fighting to make Hektor seen as a nobleman and plays as a dramatic effect. Modern culture also believes that running from a fight makes you look weak so Petersen deciding to make Hektor look strong and face Achilles head on more dramatic and attention-grabbing. It is the climax battle that everyone has waited for in both sources and while the ancient one adds humour into it with him fleeing, Petersen makes it a stand off between the two heroes.