Achilles :: essays research papers

In the modern world, people, as a society, have always condition themselves a goal or goals that they would like to attain at close to point during their lifetime. Many people seek to attain riches, love, happiness or high stature within society. When we people set that goal, we t cobblers last to vomit up our lifestyles around it. As people work throughout their lives to achieve this supreme goal, it becomes app bent to differents what it is we are working so hard for. Just as this pattern is evident in modern society, it can also be seen in the times of Homer, particularly in the great Greek epic, the Iliad. This clear pattern can be seen in Achilles, one of the most spanking characters in the story. Achilles, being the ultimate most powerful warrior of all time, wishes for slide fastener in his life but to be the most glorious gentleman alive, mortal or immortal. It is this profound desire for glory and honor, that in the end leads to his demise. Achilles speech, given wh ile he is distraught over the death of his circumferent friend Patroklos, is an excellent example of Achilles&8217 desire (Iliad, 18.79). Patroklos is slayed by Hektor, the Trojans greatest warrior and Achilles&8217 master(prenominal) rival. Hektor, takes the armor (given to him by Achilles&8217) off of his dead body, and puts it on himself. Hektor is described as &8220riding around in all its glory. After word of Patroklos&8217 death, the Achaians are intensely dejected. To show just how disheartened the Greeks are, Homer describes the men as lamenting.&8220(Then sighing heavily)&8230 my dear companion has perished, Patroklos, whom I loved beyond all other companions, as well as my own life&8230Thetis spoke to him, let tears fall (377, Iliad, 18.78).It can be perceived that, although in deep sadness for his lost friend, Achilles is just as well upset because he sensed a slight degree of failure. &8220Now, since I am not leaving back to the beloved land of my fathers, since I wa s no light of galosh to Patroklos, nor to my other companions&8230(378, Iliad, 18.101).This failure in the sense that, Achilles being the greatest warrior in all the land able to kill hordes of men at will, was incompetent of saving the person that mattered the most to him. This insecurity is the source of Achilles &8220duty to exact strike back upon Hektor, the assassin of Patroklos. Achilles makes the decision to kill Hektor in spite of the fact that his quite a little will be to die.