Agamemnon And Achilles Essay - 1279 Words

You Reap What You Sow: Honor Received from Hard Work as a Value of the Heroic Outlook on Life in Homer’s The Iliad The Iliad, by Homer, is an epic poem set in the era of the Trojan War, accounting the battle logs during the time of conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles, the text’s tragic protagonist. The heroic outlook on life, in Iliadic terms, is exemplified through the construction of one’s honor through hard work. Being an aspect of the heroic outlook of life, this value is demonstrated through his contribution and dedication to the Trojan War, his experience with neglect from the deities, Achilles’ overall disdain towards Agamemnon, and, lastly, his longingness towards Briseis, his dear lover. Honor can be demonstrated as a†¦show more content†¦The reason why Achilles honor is determined by Zeus is because Achilles feels that since he has a short lifespan, â€Å"Zeus should give him honor† to make his contributions during the war in a short period of time worthwhile. However, Achilles’ is currently neglected by Zeus as the God of Gods gives the Swift Runner â€Å"nothing†, after all his achievements made during the war, feeling mistreated and denied of honor as â€Å"the best of Achaeans†, the hero of the Argives. This implies how Achilles, as a hero, values his achievements and contributions as something worthy of honor, building blocks that constructs his honor not only among men but also the gods. In short, having the deities blessing honor onto a hero is a extravagant recognition to them, meaning that the hard work the hero puts in is greatly appreciated and honored, even by the gods, therefore considered a heroic outlook on life. Referring to the first claim once again, Achilles’ overall disdain towards Agamemnon shows how unheroic characters tend to be the opposite, solidifying the idea that a hero should be contributing with their hard work to gain honor. Achilles describes Agamemnon’s contribution to the war to be minimal, seeing the Lord of Men â€Å"skulking behind the lines, /safe in his fast ships† (Il.9.402-03; Fagles 262). While Agamemnon’s contribution is meek, he is the one who would â€Å"take it all, /[parceling] out some scraps but [keeping] the lion’s share† (Il.9.403-04; Fagles 262),Show MoreRelatedAchilles Vs. Hector Of The Iliad910 Words   |  4 PagesAchilles vs. Hector The Iliad is an epic poem usually attributed to Homer. The poem narrates the story of the war between the Greeks and the Trojans, known as the Trojan War. The Trojan War started when Paris of Troy took Helen, wife of Menelaus, to his homeland. Angry by the kidnapping of his wife, Menelaus (king of Sparta) asks his brother the King Agamemnon (king of the Achaeans) to march to war against the Trojans. The war is fought in the outskirts of Troy, and lasted ten years. 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Gillespie Plotnik ENG 220 Essay 1 Recipe For Remembrance The ancient people of Greek mythology believed there was a recipe for a mortal man to claim immortality, and have a name that echoes throughout the ages. The ingredients can be found between the two very popular mythical figures of ancient Greece, Odysseus from Homer’s â€Å"The Odyssey and Achilles from his other timeless story, â€Å"The Iliad†. This document will relay the commonalities shared through tragedy, andRead More Is Achilles right when, in the Iliad XVIII and subsequently, he1658 Words   |  7 PagesIs Achilles right when, in the Iliad XVIII and subsequently, he bitterly blames himself for the death of Patroklos? The main theme of the poem, which is declared at the very beginning is the ‘wrath’ of Achilles. From this we are taken on a journey of human and divine responses. 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King Achilles was known as the war hero to many, but he had his faults and a very sturdy past; some might thinkClassical Lit). King Achilles was a powerful God to some and was the son of nymph Thetis and Peleus(Classical Lit). He had forced Agamemnon back to Chryseis. He was king of myrmidons and thought of as an Olympic god(Classical Lit). Hector kills Patroclus; who then is killed by King Achilles. This al happened because Patroclaus was a friend of King Achilles but he had killed