Achilles and King Arthur's Downfall
Iliad vs. Camelot
You’re one of the most admired people of your land. People want to be like you and look up to you. You have all these great characteristics that make people adore you. But what happens when these great characteristics lead to your downfall? It happened both to Achilles and King Arthur. Decisions between fate and free will, their ambitions to be the best, and their admiral personas mount up and finally crash down on them. Your fate has already been decided for you, but what if you could change it? Would you choose to or keep the fate? Achilles was “doomed to a short life, [you] having so little time” (496). That being his fate, he didn’t know if he should just return to battle and get killed soon or continue living his low key, long, happy, quiet life. Though that sounded great, Achilles wanted to be remembered, so he continues to live out his fate; a short life with glory. His fate killing him in the end. King Arthur was fated to be the king. He pulled the sword out of the rock, which chose his fate for him. Once king, he uses his free will to choose whomever he wants at his Round Table. Fate leads to him choosing the wrong people. The table “breaks” and King Arthur loses control of his kingdom. Many soldiers gave up or died during the many battles. Lancelot and Guinevere still would’ve fallen in love. The fate of him becoming king leads to his downfall; losing all faith in himself. Achilles and King Arthur were both very, very ambitious men. In the end, their ambition catches up with them leading to the downfall of two great leaders. Achilles wanted to be the best, leading to him being quite hubris. He thought he could handle everything and come out on top, but instead it led him to hiding away in his shelter and questioning himself. “His descent was like nightfall” (538).
This leads him to going on a huge rampage killing Hector brutally. “I only wish my fury would compel me to cut away your flesh and eat it raw for what you've done”
You’re one of the most admired people of your land. People want to be like you and look up to you. You have all these great characteristics that make people adore you. But what happens when these great characteristics lead to your downfall? It happened both to Achilles and King Arthur. Decisions between fate and free will, their ambitions to be the best, and their admiral personas mount up and finally crash down on them. Your fate has already been decided for you, but what if you could change it? Would you choose to or keep the fate? Achilles was “doomed to a short life, [you] having so little time” (496). That being his fate, he didn’t know if he should just return to battle and get killed soon or continue living his low key, long, happy, quiet life. Though that sounded great, Achilles wanted to be remembered, so he continues to live out his fate; a short life with glory. His fate killing him in the end. King Arthur was fated to be the king. He pulled the sword out of the rock, which chose his fate for him. Once king, he uses his free will to choose whomever he wants at his Round Table. Fate leads to him choosing the wrong people. The table “breaks” and King Arthur loses control of his kingdom. Many soldiers gave up or died during the many battles. Lancelot and Guinevere still would’ve fallen in love. The fate of him becoming king leads to his downfall; losing all faith in himself. Achilles and King Arthur were both very, very ambitious men. In the end, their ambition catches up with them leading to the downfall of two great leaders. Achilles wanted to be the best, leading to him being quite hubris. He thought he could handle everything and come out on top, but instead it led him to hiding away in his shelter and questioning himself. “His descent was like nightfall” (538).
This leads him to going on a huge rampage killing Hector brutally. “I only wish my fury would compel me to cut away your flesh and eat it raw for what you've done”