Similarities Between The Iliad And Achilles

Two Different Warriors

In 700 B.C, Homer, a blind Greek poet, composed The Iliad. This work has become one of the most significant works in Western literature. The Iliad is an epic poem. It is a long narrative poem in verse form which tells the story of a hero. Achilles is the epic hero in The Iliad. Achilles is the best warrior of the Achaeans and Hector was the top warrior for the Trojans. Although Achilles and Hector seem very similar, they actually have a lot of differences between the two of them, which makes each of them unique. The similarities are prominent between Achilles and Hector, but they were different in the way the way they lived, why they fought, and by their mentality.

It all began when King Agememnon was asked to return

Hector kills Patroclus, as he thinks it was Achilles. When Achilles got word of his best friend’s death he became enraged and grief stricken. Achilles joins the war the following day and sets out to kill Hector. After a one on one battle, Achilles successfully kills Hector. Achilles drug Hector’s body home on the back of his chariot and did not return his body to his father until days after Patroclus had been put to rest.

Achilles and Hector had many similarities. Both Achilles and Hector were respected by the people whom they fought for.”Personally to Achilles to control his temper, since he is, For all Greeks, a mighty bulwark in this evil war” (237). This shows that even when Achilles was wrong; his people still respected him, because he was their meal ticket to the war. He was the only chance the Greeks had in defeating the Trojans. Many warriors looked up to him and the Greeks depended on him. The Achaeans supported Achilles while the Trojans rooted on Hector. Each man was respected and viewed as a hero. Although their love is different, it is obvious that each man has love in his heart. Achilles loves Briseis, his mother Thetis, and his

First, we can discuss the men themselves. Hector was a mortal. He was the son of a King and a queen. Hector had a family of his own which was his life. In addition to his family Hector loved the people of Troy and he had their best interest. Achilles on the other hand was “strong, swift, and godlike” (233). Achilles’ mother was the daughter of a god. Thetis was a sea goddess who did everything she could to protect her son, Achilles, and make him immortal. Also, Achilles was an only child. Since Achilles was an only child, it is clearly displayed how his mother baby’s her little boy. She turns to the God’s to assist him, she is always there to comfort him, and she has a new suit of armor built for him to go back to war and slay Hector. Second, they were different for the reasons why they fought. Achilles fought for military glory, recognition, and to become a legend. His mother says, “Now you are destine for both an early death and misery beyond compare” (240). Achilles chose a short life with a lot of glory over a long life with no glory. Achilles wanted to be a legend and a well respected warrior. Hector had a humanistic approach. He fought to protect his people and bring peace to his land. Achilles fought and lived for war, while Hector was really a family man. Achilles ran off of rage and passion, which is shown after the death of his friend Patroclus. “Over the sea and the dunes, he would hitch Horses to