Examples Of Hector's Speech In The Iliad

Hector’s speech in Homer’s The Iliad (book 6) briefly talks about why he joined the Trojans. He is lamenting to his wife, Andromachê, about his ultimate sacrifice in joining the Trojan army. His motivation for fighting in the war is best described as an overwhelming sense of fate. Hector, in his dramatic dialogue, declares that he, like any other man, cannot “escape his fate”, and that “war is for men, for all men.”

In ancient times, due to the presence of the gods on earth with mere mortals, the concept of fate was a real and commonly known subject. And it was a justifiable reason for going to war. But Hector wasn’t the only man fighting in this war.

Earlier in The Iliad (book 1), Achilles condescends King Agamemnon, declaring his noble cause

of going to war with the Trojans. Achilles shouted to the multitudes, “We followed you—you dog without shame! That you might be happy, that you might win honor from the Trojans for Menelaos—and for yourself!” Achilles, a character who has proven to be quick to anger on multiple occasions, claims his purpose is driven by humility and respect, while simultaneously calling the king of his people a dog. This, in any context or time frame, seems simply unbelievable.
While these are two very differing perspectives from opposing sides of the story, there is yet one more party that hasn’t been advocated for yet: the gods.
Zeus is fairly impartial at this point in the race. Other gods beg him from either side of the matter, and Zeus will, regardless, make it so. For example, when Achilles’s mother, Thetis, appeals to Zeus in order to give her son glory, Zeus at first denies her request, stating that fulfilling this demand would “set (me) on to quarrel with Hera, who will anger me with her words of reproach.” Zeus’s purpose of intervening in this war is to appeal to his wife, first and foremost.