Iliad Books 7-12

What kind of warrior was he, especially in Book 9?


Achilles is a hard-hearted and selfish warrior. He is self-centered and unmerciful. He turned to a hard-hearted warrior because of the stubborn king, Agamemnon. He was angry when King Agamemnon took his war prize, the beautiful Briseis. As revenge to Agamemnon, Achilles decided not to join the war against Troy. He was a big loss to the Greek army for he is a mighty warrior who possesses great strength. After several days of war, King Agamemnon decided to return Briseis to Achilles in order to convince him to fight for the Greeks.

In addition, King Agamemnon promised to give him seven tripods untouched by fire, ten ingots of gold, twenty bright cauldrons, twelve horses, and seven women skillful in woman’s work. But in-spite of those gifts, Achilles still insists with his pride. He was determined not to join the war for the selfish act of Agamemnon still pierce his heart and mind. He doesn’t care of what might happen to the Greeks.


Another man named Phoinix tried to convince Achilles. He was the old man who taught Achilles how to be a fine speaker and a man of action. He refreshed the memories of Achilles with him. Phoinix made Achilles realized how he owed the old man for Phoinix made him a manificent warrior. Phoinix also told him an ancient story. The story of a man named Meleagros who spoils his tribesmen because of his selfish pride. Meleagros was the exact representation of Achilles.Meleagros is a man who refused to respond to the cry of his friends. But Achilles still insists his decision. Achilles was man full of pride. He wouldn’t allow anyone to abuse his rights.

Are his decisions appropriate for a king like him? Why? Why not?

Achilles possesses great and undying strength. He has the marks of a great warrior and king but his emotions and feelings made him weak as king. He was less than a king or a hero for he cannot overcome his pride. He acts out of his feelings. He doesn’t think of the lives of his co-Greeks. He is self-centered for he thinks only of himself. His pride made him like the stubborn King Agamemnon. Pride is one of the seven deadly sins we should overcome. Pride misleads people even the mightiest warrior like Achilles.

Through his pride and vengeance against Agamemnon, Achilles made wrong decisions inappropriate for a king. He made a decision that would make his men suffer on the hands of the Trojans.


Bonus:

“If I stay here and fight and fight before the city of Troy, there will be no homecoming for me but my fame shall never die; if I go home to my native land, there will be no great fame for me but I shall live long and not die an early death”
(By Achilles pg.128)

This line expresses the two kinds of death. First is the death with honor and fame, in other words a hero. The second is the death without accomplishments in life. God created us for a purpose which is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Whenever someone cries for help, we should not refuse or hesitate. We should be ready to reach out even if our lives are at stake.

Book report for Iliad books 1-5

1. How is King Agamemnon an example of “stubbornness of heart” in the first five books of the Iliad?
• Narrate the incident.
• Cite modern day examples/personalities which display the same stubbornness of heart.

Narration of the incident that showed the “stubbornness of heart” of King Agamemnon


Several years after the start of the Trojan war, Prince Achilles with the Achaian fleet had brought down a town in the city of Troy. He took two captives with him. They were two beautiful maidens namely Chryseis and Briseis.



King Agamemnon took Chryseis and was given to Achilles as a prize for the war. Eventually, King Agamemnon was confronted by Chryses, the father of Chryseis. Chryses tried to please him with the golden staff of Apollo in order to get his daughter back. But with all the respect, good words and ransom, King Agamemnon refused to return her daughter. He considered Chryseis as his own property. He stated that Chryseis should stay with him until her old age, working for him and lying in bed.



After that incident, Chryses prayed to Apollo and ask for help. Apollo heard his prayer and sent a plague/pestilence in the Achaian camp. As a result, many soldiers were killed. King Agamemnon decided to set Chryseis free in replace of Briseis, the woman and treasure of Prince Achilles. Achilles got mad at him. He confronted Agamemnon and reasoned out. He deserved Briseis because he was the one who led the war at Troy. Agamemnon insists for his rights as king. He ordered the his two trusty servants to get Briseis from Achilles by word or by force.



Achilles had nothing to do for he is just a brilliant warrior and his foe was a stubborn king. Achilles surrendered Briseis willingly. After that he burst into tears and felt that his precious treasure he had worked for was stolen by his hard-hearted king.



Modern day examples/personalities which display the same stubbornness of heart


The books 1-5 of the Iliad imply a mere fact that there are people with a stubborn heart or attitude. This character trait can be seen in our government now a days. Most of them display this personality. They were caught in the act doing something wrong; they will exercise their powers in order to mislead people. One specific example is our late President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. It was said that he will run as a president/vice on the forthcoming elections in May even if he was overthrown from his position because of illegal business transactions and the controversial “Jose Velarde account” with suspicious amount of money. He can still manage to face the people and ask them to vote for him. Another example is our President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Last year, anomalies in the elections came out. There was a wiretapped conversation between her and Comeclect Officer Virgilio Garcillano. Even though there was evidence, President Arroyo misled people through other economic issues.



Bonus:
Quotation: “Fear nothing, but speak the word of God which you know”
(by Achilles; p.5)

This means we shouldn’t fear anyone even if he is the king or the most notorious person ever known for God is with you. We shouldn’t be afraid if we have the wisdom to know what is right. We should remember the teachings of God and let it be the enlightenment of our hearts which will lead us to his kingdom. We should live the inspired words of God in the scriptures and have faith in him for God dwells on the hearts of those who believe in him.