the fake

The Iliad. Translated by Robert Ragles. Yes homer is honorable. Honor: honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions; this is the definition by which Achilles, ought to be judged. Throughout the Iliad, Achilles acts on rage and revenge. “Rage-Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaens countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls, great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the dogs and birds…” (1, 1-5) From the beginning of the epic the reader learns of Achilles rage and wants for blood. Achilles fights only for himself and his own glory.
Achilles possesses great strength and holds the place as the mightiest warrior in the Achaean army and has all the attributes of a legendary warrior. These characteristics of Achilles are, unfortunately, all he has to attribute to being honorable. Other than these, his characteristics show a dark side of this warrior. His flaws far outweigh his good. His flaws constantly interfere with acts of integrity and nobility. Achilles is self centered, prideful, and spiteful. He is easily angered when his pride is shot down. None of these are attributes of an honorable man.

Achilles’ loyalty to Patroclus alone solely seals his fate. Once Achilles kills Hector, he is destined to die shortly after. Not even the thought of death can turn him astray from avenging Patroclus. “But brilliant Achilles taunted Hector’s body dead as he was, ‘Die, die! For my own death, I’ll meet it freely–whenever Zeus and the other deathless gods would like to bring it on!’” (Book 22, ll. —) This shows that Achilles’ loyalty as well as anger will not let him sympathize with dying Hector...even in his last moments. Hector begs for mercy on his dead body, but unaltered and unshaken, Achilles cannot be led away from his loyalty to his best friend and in turn shows no mercy.