Achilles In The Iliad

In book one of the Iliad, Homer debunks Achilles rage as both dishonorable and duplicitous. Achilles may demonstrate great courage and strength, but he is severely deficient in the other qualities of an epic hero: temperance, magnanimity, and a sense of loyalty. His rage masked all these essential attributes. Though he is known as the most skilled and strong warrior, that doesn’t make up for the fact that Achilles acts upon his emotions, not his mind. Think of Achilles as a pot of water on a stove; calm and still until interrupted. Agamemnon is the heater and the sole cause of Achilles boil. In an attempt to restore his honor, Achilles “raged on... day after day he ground his heart out, waiting there, yearning…” (1.581, 585-586). Agamemnon

Achilles was more attached to his own pride and honor than making amends with Agamemnon. Achilles could have accepted Agamemnon’s offer, but instead he says, “… now he’s torn my honor from my hands, robbed me, lied to me—don’t let him try me now. / I know him too well—he’ll never win me over!” (9.417-419). His head was too far up his ass to realize the blunder and carelessness of his acts. It would be foolish to decline Agamemnon’s offer, as it would be foolish to accept his offer after betraying him. This predicament wound him up in his own morality. Achilles had the right state of mind in the beginning when he claims, “…Any decent man, /a man with sense, loves his own, cares for his own / as deeply as I” (9.415-417). It would only be fair to take back what was once his. However, his ego and pride consumed his willpower to react in the right manner, as he later declares, ‘…I will haul it home, all I won as plunder. All but my prize of honor…” (9.446-447). Achilles couldn’t stand being disgraced and stolen from in front of his comrades. Despite the contrary, this led him to his raging insanity¬, taking whatever measures to restore his honor. No matter how much honor and accolades one receives, one will never be satisfied. Therefore, this constant craving and desire for power and glory, consumed and destroyed their conscience. Homer exposes this truth to many characters in the

Agamemnon begins the train of treacherous acts when he decides to steal Achilles prized possession, Briseis. Stealing what was his, Achilles “…wept and prayed” (1.423). His very own commander Agamemnon disgraced and robbed Achilles of his possessions. Achilles rage designates in a dilemma where he asks himself if he should “kill Agamemnon now? --or check his rage and beat his fury down?” (1.225-226). The thought of killing Agamemnon may have been a satisfying revenge scheme, but what loyal solider betrays his own commander and executes him? Although Agamemnon wasn’t loyal enough to him, Achilles makes the wise choice not to kill him. The divine power that the gods Hera and Athena had, calmed Achilles and brought him back to his senses. Achilles “submits though his heart breaks with fury” (1.254). The reader can make an assumption that true honor and allegiance was shown by Achilles. However, his fury devoured him and made him conceited. This consumption later leads to the treacherous acts Achilles performs as he leaves the Achaean army and goes against his own