The Greek Concept of the Epic Hero

In classical Greek literature, the epic hero is usually defined in terms of the contrasting characters of Achilles and Odysseus, the most important figures in Homer's great epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks in the Trojan war, is actually a demi-god rather than a human hero, having been dipped in charmed waters by his mother and given the gift of invulnerability. Odysseus, on the other hand, is a fully human character, and his heroism consists more in his cleverness, boldness and cunning than his martial ability. The contrast between these two models of the epic hero could not be stronger, for although Achilles is godlike and almost immortal in his fighting prowess, he is childish and petulant in his personality; even in the moment of his greatest triumph he lacks the nobility and generosity we expect of a truly great hero. The "man of many ways" Odysseus, however, rises above his purely human limitations to achieve a much greater destiny, triumphing over the dangers of war and wandering to come home to his wife and family.

The more unpleasant aspects of Achilles' character are brought home to us shortly after we first encounter him in The Iliad, when he quarrels with Agamemnon over the possession of a concubine. Before the assembled Greek leaders, Achilles complains that he never gets his fair share of the prizes, that the Achaians do not give him sufficient honor, and that he is weary of fighting the Trojans, "since to me they have done nothing" (Lattimore, 1967:63). When Agamemnon decides to teach him a lesson and take his concubine Briseis from him, Achilles has a fit of temper and warns all the Greeks that they will be sorry they did not cater to his whims: "And then y...

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...es and Odysseus, must always be a brave and powerful warrior and a loyal friend to those he loves. Achilles is far more limited in his range of feeling than Odysseus, but within that narrow range he finally acquits himself honorably. Odysseus, the great "everyman" hero of classical literature, seeks the widest range of experience and adventure possible, but finally triumphs over life by returning to the comforts of home and family.

References

Lattimore, Richmond. The Iliad of Homer. Chicago: University of

Chicago Press, 1967.

Lattimore, Richmond. The Odyssey of Homer. New York: Harper and

Row, 1968.

Achilles and Odysseus-- Compares the protagonist of Homer's Iliad with that of the Odyssey as epic heroes; the importance of the virtues of strength, bravery and loyalty to the Greeks is remarked upon. 5p., 9f., 2b.