Achilles Sympathy
World Literature 3
26 September 2013
The Mighty Achilles Achilles is considered immortal, but has many features that make him human. In the epic poem Iliad, written by Homer, Achilles is known to be strong and courageous; he leaves his family to fight in the war against the Trojans. Achilles is a mighty warrior that shows feelings and emotions that are human. Although Achilles may exhibit heartless and cruel tendencies like the way he killed Hector showing virtually no feelings, he is ultimately a sympathetic character as he feels taken advantage of, shows remorse, and exemplifies compassion.
Achilles emerges as a sympathetic character because he feels taken advantage of and denied of what he feels is his. As a soldier Achilles is forced to do all the fighting while Agamemnon reaps the glory. This leads to resentment between the two characters. Achilles shows his disgust with Agamemnon by saying, “I tell you this, and so help me it’s the truth – he’ll soon pay for his arrogance with his life!” (Homer 371). Agamemnon wanted to use Achilles talent to unleash him upon the Trojans stating, “Achilles wrath makes him more than human.”(Straw). Although he may be brutal, he is being used by Agamemnon for his talents and resents him for it.
Additionally, Achilles is identifiable because, after the death of Patroclus he feels grief and seeks revenge. After hearing of what happened to Patroclus “Achilles re-enters the war to avenge Patroclus’ death” (Homer 383). It is human to feel grief after losing a loved one. William Meritt stated, “The varieties of love include the companionate (Achilles and Patroclus)” (Merritt). Achilles and Patroclus are not only relatives but close friends. Everyone has experienced the loss of a loved one and can sympathize with what Achilles is feeling.
The hero Achilles shows sympathy and compassion in his conversation with Priam following the death of Hector. Priam comes to Achilles weeping for a proper burial of his son. The words of
26 September 2013
The Mighty Achilles Achilles is considered immortal, but has many features that make him human. In the epic poem Iliad, written by Homer, Achilles is known to be strong and courageous; he leaves his family to fight in the war against the Trojans. Achilles is a mighty warrior that shows feelings and emotions that are human. Although Achilles may exhibit heartless and cruel tendencies like the way he killed Hector showing virtually no feelings, he is ultimately a sympathetic character as he feels taken advantage of, shows remorse, and exemplifies compassion.
Achilles emerges as a sympathetic character because he feels taken advantage of and denied of what he feels is his. As a soldier Achilles is forced to do all the fighting while Agamemnon reaps the glory. This leads to resentment between the two characters. Achilles shows his disgust with Agamemnon by saying, “I tell you this, and so help me it’s the truth – he’ll soon pay for his arrogance with his life!” (Homer 371). Agamemnon wanted to use Achilles talent to unleash him upon the Trojans stating, “Achilles wrath makes him more than human.”(Straw). Although he may be brutal, he is being used by Agamemnon for his talents and resents him for it.
Additionally, Achilles is identifiable because, after the death of Patroclus he feels grief and seeks revenge. After hearing of what happened to Patroclus “Achilles re-enters the war to avenge Patroclus’ death” (Homer 383). It is human to feel grief after losing a loved one. William Meritt stated, “The varieties of love include the companionate (Achilles and Patroclus)” (Merritt). Achilles and Patroclus are not only relatives but close friends. Everyone has experienced the loss of a loved one and can sympathize with what Achilles is feeling.
The hero Achilles shows sympathy and compassion in his conversation with Priam following the death of Hector. Priam comes to Achilles weeping for a proper burial of his son. The words of