Homer defining heroism

Jonathan Brodhacker Brodhacker 1
Joe Baumann
S06/07
6 March 2014

Iliad: How does Homer define heroism in the Iliad?

Homer's Definition of Heroism in the Iliad is the subject we will be discussing in this paper. I believe Homer's view of a hero or of heroism is displayed by the hero showing bravery, compassion, and even friendship. While our particular heroes in the Iliad have what seems to be god-like qualities they both still have very real and human failings that eventually lead to tragedy. We Will be looking at several of the heroes in Homer's Iliad and using specific examples from the writing to show a definitive view of heroism. The first characteristic we will examine that is given to our heroes by Homer is the fact that they possess what seems to be god-like qualities. To show this Homer deliberately and repeatedly adds adjectives that praise the two heroes before their names. Achilles is portrayed as swift and godlike, he portrays Hector as bright, dazzling, and dignified. Homer uses phrases like, "...man-killing Hector..."(149;Book 6), and "Resplendent Hector..."(146;Book 6). While to describe Achilles using phrases like, "...swift of foot..."(182; Book 1). Using these praises continues to portray the heroes as godlike and honorable for the entirety of the poem. I find strong similarities in the portrayal of characteristics from our heroes and from the portrayal of the gods in other writings. Using strong word choices and being descriptive with our heroes portrays them in a god-like manner as described. We will explore this further but I would now like to show another reasoning for why our heroes show heroism and are true "heroes" and that is how they act. This second
Brodhacker 2 characteristic that Homer uses is that Achilles and Hector are both honorable in their own ways and both men are respected by the soldiers and people around them. Hector and Achilles are both strong soldiers and because of this they are both depended upon by their people. Often, Homer uses the words "He spoke..."(149;Book 1) from the rest of the stanza, this use conveys a sense of power and authority that both of our heroes exert when they speak. Another example of Homer's use of the heroes power of speech comes when Achilles asks his friend Patroclus to go into battle to help the Greek army. Homer writes, "He spoke, and Patroclus/Obeyed his dear friend..."(325-326;Book 1). The word "obeyed" is set off from the line before, emphasizing the fact that Achilles had a certain power over his friends and fellow soldiers, and also showing that he was loved and respected by them. Hector also commands respect from his fellow troops and shows this when he proposes the duel between Paris and Menelaus during the battle in book 3. I find that the heroes in Homer's Iliad are very honorable in their own respects. Using these passages from the writings we can see how Homer wanted these men thought of and how he conveyed to the readers that amount of respect that was shown to them by their soldiers. The third characteristic that Homer uses to define heroism and our classic hero is that they are almost god-like, but have human flaws the same as everyone else. As we talked about earlier our heroes are presented with god-like traits about them by Homer. I would like to show you the traits of each of our heroes and then examine as to why Homer described them in the context he did or at least how I feel he meant to. The first hero we will look at is our almost anti-hero in Achilles. While Achilles shows us
Brodhacker 3 many of the heroism attributes such as being well respected, brave, and powerful, he also shows us many attributes that are not becoming of what we would consider a "hero". Such attributes include being incredibly revengeful, very merciless, and even disrespectful to Hector's corpse something that was looked down upon by fellow warriors. Ultimately like so many other heroes his pride is what eventually is his downfall. Like the gods we read about Achilles takes out his anger in one instance passively, by withdrawing his presence from his own people. Our heroes anger is directed away from the enemy and directed towards his people whose king, Agamemnon, had insulted Achilles' honor and his own sense of self pride. Much like the gods Achilles feels that his own issues and his own feelings of being wronged are all that matter and all the other issues are not as important. Next we will briefly look at Hector and his traits and even his flaws we find in the Iliad. Hector is a very strong and noble hero. We see this through his love of his city and people and also through his pride. His pride however is what we can find brings him into the most trouble at times and eventually leads to his death. Hector will not lead the Trojans back into Troy when Polydamas urges him to, and when Hector realizes his error he is too proud to retreat. Instead he remains outside and faces Achilles where he is defeated. Homer outlines Hector's flaw when Andromache says, "...and most likely ended by now/ The fatal pride that has for so long possessed him"(514-517;Book 22). They are of course referring to the death of Hector at the hands of Achilles during their battle outside the gates of Troy. What we find in the Iliad from our two heroes is a story of two men both presented to use in god-like fashion and both men having what we see
Brodhacker 4 as human flaws just like you and me. While they are both strong, brave, and honorable. They both ultimately let their flaws lead them to tragedy. Achilles being godlike but revengeful and Hector noble but proud. While they both have flaws they both had many great hero qualities and this is why I find we can truly see Homer's portrayal of heroism in the Iliad.