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.