Heroes Of Tragedy Essay

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Devon Williamson Williamson 1

Professor Tandon

EN255

9/27/14

Heroes of Tragedy: Achilles of Greece & Hector of Troy

The fall of a hero, self induced through error of judgment. A concept reoccurring in the poetics of Greek philosophers. These heroes demonstrate great devotion, strength, sacrifice but most importantly weakness. A weakness that leads to the demise of the hero, ending in tragedy. Such entities are highlighted within the poetic “The Iliad” from the philosopher, Homer. The heroes in this poetic are Achilles of Greece and Hector of Troy. Each represent a different army and different motives. Even meeting each other in battle with pure abhorrence for one another. Although both warriors are vastly different than each other in both loyalty and reason for war, they share common characteristics that make both Achilles and Hector heroes. That being said, their weaknesses get the best of them which leads to one another demise. These heroes are alike and different in many ways down to the last detrimental breach of mortality. Their fates were intertwined but ultimately sealed by the gods. These warriors are heroes in the way that they are both outstanding commanders for their armies. They are known as the best warriors in each of their armies. They are extremely noble and loyal to their cause. Neither of them would back down from battle, no matter what the outcome. Most importantly, each warrior is respected and revered by each side due to their ability and courage. A major difference in their fighting mentality though is that Achilles is half god. He's nearly immortal and his divine armor provides an advantage in the battle field. That of which he gives to Patroclus(a mortal) to fight in. On the contrary, Hector goes in to battle knowing that he is a mortal man. He does not behold any aid of material divinity. Hector believes he is fated to die in battle but being his vulnerable self, he fights on with acceptance and valor. This is similar to a spoiled rich kid and another living minimalistic and poor. This may contribute to the mentality of each warrior. Achilles knowing he Williamson 2 has the gods “on his side” and Hector is surviving. That being said, towards the end of their fates, they each receive divine intervention. The difference is that the gods are split amongst each warrior causing a rift amongst the divine. Achilles is the son of Thetis, a sea nymph who is the daughter of the sea god. Achilles was dipped in the river of Styx by his mother, making him almost immortal. Except for his heel from which he was held by. Many gods are in the favor of Achilles because he is not a mortal. He has divine blood therefor many gods naturally aid him as much as they can without disrupting fate. Zeus and his wife Hera are on edge for the majority of The Iliad for Zeus is favoring his favorite mortal Prince Hector. Hera does not agree with Zeus and tells him that the fates of Hector and Achilles are sealed. Zeus disregards Hera and places the fates of Achilles and Hector on the Golden Scale of fate in a last attempt to change the outcome of Hector. Although Hector's side of the scale plummets towards the depths of Hates, a dire intervention of the gods came about. Zeus is the king of the gods yet he favors a mortal man whom had no chance against the demi god Achilles. As Hector now beholds the divine armor of Achilles, the roll of the gods come to intervene again. The god Hephaestus is eternally grateful to Achilles mother for saving him from his demise as he was cast off a cliff into the sea by his mother. Thetis fears for Achilles as he decides to battle Hector. He creates a new divine armor for Achilles. An extravagant and godly shield that will aid him in
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