Achilles Ideal In The Iliad

The Homeric Ideal is a prevalent theme throughout Greek literature as demonstrated by Achilles and Hector in Homer’s The Iliad. These characters are the very definition of the Homeric Ideal because they exemplify the ideal’s true meaning of acting in a manner by which the potential of a person is reached. To extrapolate, a character’s potential is reached through proficiency and confidence in their actions. Furthermore, the Homeric Ideal also incorporates the idea of mutual respect, best demonstrated through impartial interactions between characters.

In Homer’s The Iliad, the clearest example of the Homeric ideal is seen through the Achaean epic hero, Achilles. In The Iliad, Homer presents Achilles in the excerpt:

“Then Achilles, noble and

strong, answered him thus:
‘Renowned son of Atreus, most covetous of men, how
Can the gallant Achaeans give you a prize? If there
Is some large public treasure, we’ve yet to learn where it is,
And the plunder we took from the cities we sacked has already
Been divided. Nor can we rightly take these things back
From the people. But you, give up the girl as the god
Demands. We Achaeans will recompense you three
And four times over, if Zeus ever wills that we sack
The well-walled city of Troy.” (Pg 56-57; Lines 76-84)
This quotation is a notable example of the Homeric Ideal because of its presentation of Achilles as a confident individual by challenging the authoritative figure, Agamemnon.

In addition, Achilles is also acting in a manner of that demonstrates the potential of his character through his demand of the return of Chryses’ daughter to appease Apollo. Through this demand, Achilles is acting in a selfless manner as the satisfaction of Apollo will bring about the end of the pestilence that is affecting the Achaean army. Moreover, Achilles also consolidates the idea of mutual respect through the civility in his language found by offering an incentive to Agamemnon if Chryses’ daughter is returned. With regards to the incentive, Achilles offers Agamemnon additional wealth in addition to the promise that the Achaeans will be able take Troy with the blessing of Zeus. Altogether, Achilles’ is an embodiment of the Homeric Ideal by reaching his personal potential through his tenacity and selfless underlying intentions.

Another character in Homer’s The Iliad who demonstrates the Homeric Ideal is the most exemplary soldier in the Trojan army, Hector. The clearest example of Hector as an embodiment of the Homeric Ideal is illustrated in the

excerpt:
“I too, my dear, have all these things on my mind.
But how could I face the men of Troy, or their wives
Of the trailing gowns, if I were to skulk like a coward
And stay away from the battle? Nor does my own spirit
Urge me to do so, since I have learned to be valiant
Always and fights mid the foremost champions of Troy,
To win and uphold the king in my father’s glory
As well as my own…
But I’d much rather be dead, with Earth
Heaped high above me, than hear your screams as warriors
Drag you away to a life of slavery!” (Pg. 72; Lines 88-117)
The importance of this excerpt is derived from the presentation of Hector as a noble character who puts the defense of Troy and its people before his own personal interest of surviving for his family. Furthermore, Hector also fights to maintain his personal glory in addition to his father’s. Hector’s fight for glory provides additional background to the motives behind his heroic actions on the battlefield that clearly distinguishes him as the most capable warrior in the Trojan army. Additionally, Homer also presents Hector’s noble character in the excerpt through the description of Hector as an individual who is naturally inclined to be amongst the “foremost champions of Troy” (93) rather than cower for selfish reasons. Consequently, Hector provides another example of the Homeric Ideal within The Iliad through the nobility in his character found in his selfless actions that demonstrate his personal potential.
Overall, Homer’s The Iliad demonstrates the Homeric ideal through the two main champions of the story, Achilles and Hector. Achilles is the embodiment of the Homeric Ideal through the selfless intent of his actions that allow him to reach his personal potential. To further expand, Achilles also shows the Homeric Ideal through his initial respect towards Agamemnon by providing him with an equitable incentive for the exchange of Chryses’ daughter. Alternatively, Hector also serves as an example of the Homeric Ideal through his benevolent actions found by putting the defense of Troy before his own personal interest. In addition, Hector also fights to his potential for the reason of maintain his personal glory. In sum, the Homeric Ideal is a prevalent theme in The Iliad because of its presence in the two most important characters of the epic.