The god-like Achilles Essay Example for Free

The god-like Achilles EssayIn the Iliad, there were umpteen characters that exhibit god-like or superhuman qualities. that one character stood out. He has this god-like strength and superhuman courage to fight and risk his life for his commonwealth and allies. He has also been a descendant of the god themselves. And it was no other than Achilles. Achilles was the hero of the famous fifth column War where Helen of Troy is say to be the main reason for that bloody war. Achilles p bents were Peleus and Thetis. Peleus, the king of Myrmidons, was a mortal. Thetis was an perpetual sea nymph. From Achilles parents, it can be seen that Achilles belongs to the line of gods. Throughout the epic poem, Achilles portrayed anger which resembles the gods. In the offshoot part of the epic poem, Achilles anger was exposit. This shows how much r in timege he wants to those who bind done wrong to him.Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, thatbrought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul didit send hurrying prevail over to Hades, and many a hero did it yield aprey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jovefulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men,and great Achilles, first fell out with one another.( concord 1 Verse 1) besides in Book 1, during the intense argument exchange of Agamemnon and Achilles, Achilles got angry and tried to attack Agamemnon. Achilles rage was wild and this drives him to attack and tried to kill Agamemnon. This show how prone to anger Achilles was. It is a good thing that Minerva was move to stop the raging Achilles.It is shown through the following lines in Book 1The son of Peleus was furious, and his heart at bottom his shaggybreast was divided whether to draw his sword, push the othersaside, and kill the son of Atreus, or to restrain himself and bankrupt his anger. While he was thus in two minds, and was drawinghis mighty sword from its scabbard, Minerva came down from nirv anaand seized the son of Peleus by his yellow hair, visible to himalone, for of the others no man could see her.(Book 1 verse 19)Achilles elicit strength is also depict by Agamemnon when he said that That man (Achilles) is worth an entire army,/ the star Zeus holds dear with all his heart..(Book 9)Achilles was compared to an entire army which is commonly described when mortals would battle a god. Gods are like an entire army and is very hard to defeat. His great strength is truly feared by many and so like the gods who are also feared by many mortals.Achilles also showed no mercy when Book 21, Lycaon asked for mercy to spare his life. But the outraged Achilles answeredIdiot, said he, talk not tome of ransom. Until Patroclus fell I favorite(a) to give theTrojans quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I hadtaken alive but straightway not a man shall live of those whom heavendelivers into my hands before the city of Iliusand of allTrojans it shall add up hardest with the sons of Priam. Therefore,my friend, you too shall die. (Book 21 verse 6) Achilles rage led him to give no mercy to the devastated Lycaon. This instance shows how impassioned Achilles just like the other gods.During Hectors death, he asked Achilles that his body shall be returned to the Trojans. But Achilles refused and said to HectorDog, talk not to me neither of knees nor parents would that I could be as sure of being opento cut your flesh into pieces and eat it raw, for the ill youhave done me, as I am that postal code shall save you from thedogsit shall not be. (Book 22 Verse 22)Achilles, just like the other gods, showed great pride. Achilles stated that even the wealth of Egypt shall be offered to him, he would no change his decision. This can be seen through the following statements he saidhe may offer me gifts as the sands of the sea or the dust of the vaporous in multitude, but even so he shall not move me till I havebeen revenged in full for the bitter wrong he has do ne me. (Book 9 verse 20)Achilles was also described to be godlike through symbolisms. One is when he wore his armor in Book 1 and was described to be blazing like the sun. His comparison to the sun was just like that of the god Helios. The brightness of the elicit would signify great divinity and power.Another is the manner of the creation of Achilles armor and shield. They were both created by the metalworker Hepaesthus, the god of fire. The shield was filled and forged with intricate designs suitable for a god and the armor were make indestructible and were also suitable for a god. These items were made special and deserve only the rightful proprietor and that was the mortal Achilles. This shows that Achilles has god-like qualities that made Hepaesthus create an armor and a shield for him.From the above examples and citations, we can say that among the characters in The Iliad, one mortal stood-out to possess superhuman and god-like qualities such as selfishness, great rage due to anger, and enkindle pride, and that was Achilles.ReferencesHomer. The Iliad Trans. Robert Fagles Penguin Group, 1990.