Both Hector and Achilles are noble warriors. These two men are skilled in the ways of war and the politics surrounding war. These brave warriors are considered by many to be heroes, but they both have the same driving flaw. This flaw shared by many other heroes of the Illiad, is the reason I see these two men as cursed, not heroic.

In the beginning of the Illiad, Agamemnon has been counseled by the seer to return the priests daughter to him at once. Agamemnon will not give up his prize with out receiving compensation for his loss. "But fetch me another prize, and straight off too, else I alone of the Argives go without my honor." (Homer 81) With this Achilles points out that all the "plunder" has been portioned out. Agamemnon replies with hostility. He threatens to take Briseus, Achilles own prize. This enrages Achilles. He verbally assaults Agamemnon, "Shameless- armored in shamelessness-always shrewd

sin deep within his soul that has ultimately sealed his fate.

Hector, in book VI returns to Troy. He asks the noble women to pray to Athena. Before returning to battle, Hector goes in search of his wife. When they speak, she pleads with him not to leave the city walls. "Reckless one, my Hector--your own fiery courage will destroy you!" (Homer 208)

I have made the argument that these two men are afflicted with the most lethal of the seven deadly sins; PRIDE. Achilles' pride kept him from combat until his dear friend, Patroclus, was cut down by Hector. Achilles' dressed Patroclus in his own shining armor and sent him to his death. Achilles' pride killed his comrade in arms. This was, in my opinion, a pivotal point in this epic. Hectors pride brought ruin to his armies, his family and himself. His refusal to fight from within the walls led to his slaughter and disgrace at the hands of Achilles. Both men had very valid reasons for their resolve. Both men were committed to their decisions. Their determination is certainly commendable. Pride however, is a powerful beast that can and will ruin men. I do not find the force that drove Achilles and Hector to be heroic. I find these characters extremely tragic.

Andromache is well aware that her husbands pride will be his downfall. "Pity me, please! Take your stand on the rampart here...draw your armies up." (Homer 210) Hector responds to her with, "But I would die of shame to face the men of Troy and the Trojan

Some topics in this essay:
Achilles Patroclus, Hector Achilles', Agamemnon Shameless-, Briseus Achilles, Ajax Odysseus, XXII Hectors, Hector Achilles, Trojans Ilium, Illiad Agamemnon, Reckless Hector--your, pride hector, refusal fight, hector achilles, ajax odysseus, return battle, achilles' pride, briseus achilles, homer 544, book vi, achilles rage,