1. The Illiad
The term hero has a strong definition. A definition that for many years has been interpreted in numerous ways. A hero, according to the oxford English dictionary, is defined to be "a person, typically a man, who is admired for his courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. " In the Iliad, written by Homer, there are three main characters that can be considered to be heroes and possess heroic qualities. These characters include the Greek leader and warrior Achilles, the Greek king Agamemnon, and Hector, the prince of Troy. Whether it be from past events entering into the Iliad or over the course of the book, these men earn their title of being a hero, or even become a false hero. After analyzing the text from the Iliad we can find just what makes these men heroes or frauds.
A typical hero is usually described as somebody who does something dangerous to help somebody else and putting their needs secondary. The heroes of the Iliad and even Greek mythology do not really fit this role as well as you may think. In actuality they were a pretty selfish, and riddled with flaws that wouldn't exactly make them role models for the younger generation of today. But that doesn't mean they aren't still considered heroes, they are just a hero of a different time period. These old heroes often have characteristics such as having very important ancestry, incredible courage and strength, a certain character flaw, and finally a strong connection to the gods. It is important to note that these qualities are represented over a time of war. In this scenario the story occurs throughout the Trojan War. .
Achilles leader of the Myrmidons and central character of the Iliad, sets the stage right from the start of book. He is the son of the goddess, Thetis, and the warrior, Peleus. Being the son of a divine couple such as Thetis and Peleus gives reason right away that he is heroic in nature. Next is his reputation.
One of the more discerning features of the Aeneid is that unlike the Odyssey and the Illiad who focus primarily it's heroes (Achilles and Odysseus), the Aeneid focuses more on Rome rather than it's hero, Aeneas. ... In both of Homers epics, the Greek heroes receive some kind of reward. ... Virgil takes a similar situation from the Illiad and uses it in the Aeneid. ... It seems that Aeneas starts out as a "Greek-style" hero; impulsive, excessive and so on, but eventually becomes a model Roman hero. It can be symbolized as such when Aeneas kills Turnus, a Greek-style hero, thus kills t...
Both are heroes. ... 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. ... His stubborn pride will stay intact through out the majority of the Illiad. ...
Many ideas, phrases, and references from the story and the Illiad, such as the infamous Trojan Horse, are emulated in various cartoons and movies. The story tells about the travels of Odysseus, a war hero in the Trojan War. ... However, many readers of The Odyssey today often find themselves not seeing Odysseus as a hero at all, rather a "dishonest and arrogant" person. ... They still saw him as an intelligent, brave hero. ...
The Bronze Age of Ancient Greece, 1200-900 BCE, is often referred to as the Heroic Age or the Homeric Age because the literature of the times concerns itself with the larger-than-life exploits of bold-spirited and daring characters from The Illiad and The Odyssey such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Hector, to name a few. The term hero in classical times referred to a person great in stature or social rank who had great deeds of magnitude to his credit. ... The character in The Iliad who most exemplifies the Bronze Age hero is Achilleus. ... Achilleus is seen by all of his fellow Achaians and Myrm...
This is not unlike how the gods took sides choosing to help Homer or Achilles in the Illiad. ... And it is this glory which is earned through war, through fighting; by becoming a hero. The story depicted on Achilles" shield not only tells us a story about his life, but it declares a story of a hero. ... This shield, asserting all of the important aspects of mortal life, in fact serves to show us how the "mortal/immortal" code is preserved - the shield is telling us that with this armor (with this valor) I - a mortal - am declaring myself a hero and this honor will uphold the balance between mo...
THE DIFFERENTIATION OF TRAGIC HEROES: AN ESSAY IN COMPARISON OF HEROIC CODES There are many types of heroes, all of whom can be slotted neatly into categories by their respective characteristics. Typically, a tragic hero follows a code that relegates him to pursue justice, be arrogant in manner, and to conspire his plans with cleverness. The tragic hero must also posses a strong mind, a relentless nature, and a willingness to kill. However, occasionally one will come across a tragic hero who follows yet another type of code; that of Homer. ... Clytaemestra, Orestes, and Medea prove to...
Serving one's city in battle was considered a great honor and a means of becoming immortalized as a hero. ... Many epic poems such as The Illiad, and The Odyssey were also written, as well as historical accounts depicting the Persian Wars, and the Peloponnesian War. ... Instead, the only was to be remembered was to become a war hero, and be immortalized through song and stories. ... Do we not, still remember our "war heroes?" Is not The Illiad still read in our schools, portraying war itself as an artform? ...
Serving one's city in battle was considered a great honor and a means of becoming immortalized as a hero. ... Many epic poems such as The Illiad, and The Odyssey were also written, as well as historical accounts depicting the Persian Wars, and the Peloponnesian War. ... Instead, the only was to be remembered was to become a war hero, and be immortalized through song and stories. ... Do we not, still remember our "war heroes?" Is not The Illiad still read in our schools, portraying war itself as an artform? ...