The Transformation of Achilles in The Iliad

In the chronicles of heroic works, the distinguished duty of the ‘epic hero’ has often been present, foreshadowing the themes of the poem using the acts of one, astonishing character. Strong and brave, he is found within the webs of humanity, and sometimes he may even fight to substitute his sophisticated wishes with spiritual understanding. In thoughtful means, he can exemplify the allegorical standards of an advancement, and through his various risky explorations and reflective experiences, the progression of his personality may change in attention for something even bigger than himself. By such a change in the hero’s personality, one can see the common troubles of humanity in a wider view and realize how one has to suppress certain hindrances to comprehend the compound form of the divinities. In the epic of the ‘Iliad’, such a heroic teaching is observed through the actions of Achilles, who by his delayed transformation from an extremely irritated brooder into a compassion character of selflessness, develops into a personality that is more harmonious with celestial insight.

During the start of the epic, Achilles is seen as being affronted by Agamemnon and is being trapped in a net of fury, this circumstance of anger extricates the obliviousness of Achilles personality at the start of his ‘education’. The peak of his obliviousness is experimental when he almost execute Agamemnon, “his spirit racing... drawing his huge blade from its sheath”(Iliad 1.227-228). Through this behavior Achilles shows his total dependence on ruthlessness and the more vicious, primeval kind of justice. At such a point of his growth, he is depicted as being vulnerable just to his rage, and the deity Athena is forced to lunge down from the heavens to put a reminder in Achilles senses that his actions are against the celestial virtues; “control your anger only if you will produce... Obey [the gods]”(Iliad 1.242-251). In the course of this scene, Achilles is observed speaking and acting inconsiderately, such that he identifies a plug and immediately acts upon it, feels an emotion and is overcome by it. The incident nonetheless, marks the turning point to overcoming his pride and he actually recognizes the goddesses’ words by saying that the gods are swift to hear the prayers of an obedient man (Iliad 1.256-257).

This kind of progress will, however, be evidenced in the progression of the epic. In the entire prior part of the poem, Achilles is demonstrated as a self-centered and an arrogant person, particularly when he responds deleteriously to the Achaean embassy that was directed to convince him to go back to the fight and he shows “an illogical compulsion of rage”(Schein 115). Odysseus is pleading with Achilles to at least have mercy on their cohesive soldiers injured in the war, offering a logical plea for Achilles to overlook his inconsequential fight with Agamemnon and, as an alternative, contest for the dignity and well-being of his fellow warriors whose trust should never be grassed. Soaked in his anger he does not shift from his opinions and he actually stresses that not for the entire world or even the Achaean’s armies that shall persuade him (Iliad 9.381-382). His acts of selfishness are made even more evident when he says he will only fight when his own ships are under attack. This lack of compassion for his fellow comrades, who were not in any way involved in their fight with Agamemnon, indicates that Achilles is only mindful of himself.

The crucial change in Achilles personality, however, begins when his best friend Patroclus dies. This provokes his anger to yield a more humane goal for his behaviors that entails reinstating the dignity of his deceased friend before he restores his own. The perception that Achilles as a character before his unselfish, rejoin in the battle, only being focused on seeking vengeance for Patroclus death, can at first be said to his retractions of self-honor pursuing actions right at start of the epic. Recognizing his unwarranted arrogance, Achilles says that Patroclus died wanting for his fighting ability to protect him (Iliad 18.116-117) and notes that he brought not a single flicker of faith either to Patroclus or to the larger group of warriors when they needed him the more. This coming to terms with his previous violence helps him to momentarily overlook his personal quests for honor and concentrate on the more progressive course of action and recognizes the opinions and feelings of his comrades before concentrating on individual, substantial gains.

Such an important stage of Achilles’ teaching is observed more particularly in the words he spoke to the corpse of Patroclus before going back to the frontline “Here in front of your blazing furnace I’ll cut the gullets / of a dozen sons of Troy in all their shining glory, / emitting my wrath on them for your obliteration!”(Iliad 18.392-394). The precise declaration perfectly shows present feelings of a changing Achilles, at the prior part of the poem he viewed the world via an epic prism, focusing on personal glory above the common interest (Schein 124), but with the changed view, he has started to see past is personal interests to regain the Patroclus honor. The fact that he is doing it for no rewards and in fact recognizing it like a way for selflessness, acknowledging that this foreign earth he step will one day hold him in death, depicts that he is even ready to indefinitely let go of his honor and worldly interests just to protect this principle, because he is now aware that going back to war will cause his looming death. In sacrificing his own life he demonstrates a whole lot of kindness and improvements as a character. Although during the war Achilles is involved in a lot of raging actions like fighting Xanthus and ruthlessly deforming Hector’s body, all these things he does because he felt something different for Patroclus. Achilles felt bad for the killing of his only best friend, showing that although he was full of anger and desire to seek vengeance a part of him was feeling something different because he failed to provide protection to his friend when he most needed it.

This impressive character continues to positively develop throughout the poem, as at one point Achilles suppresses the anger that began with his quarrel with Agamemnon to reconcile with him. When Agamemnon goes pleading with Achilles to rejoin the battle Achilles talks to him with a lot of kindness and respect by questioning for whose benefit was it for them to rage at one another because of a young girl. As such Achilles lastly recognizes that while he acted in fury due to Agamemnon’s insults he was, in fact, offering help to Hector and his Trojans and allowing his fellow country’s men to be defeated while he continued to rage on and on. This developed realization of his immature acts shows a more concerned and passionate Achilles, where in spite his anger bringing him down he will still fight to suppress it know that it is “off beam to hang onto raging, heart inflamed forever”( Iliad 19.78).

The intricate funeral games conducted for Patroclus are as well an indication of a changed Achilles since his ‘attitude is seen to be changing to a regulated, isolated sociability’ (Schein 156). He goes further to demonstrate his kindness when he graciously hosts the games, resolves small disputes among the participants like Idomeneus and Ajax, he actually stands to cool them down. The simple act demonstrates a more changed and considerate view towards violence within the character, who just hopes to find peace in the course of Patroclus funeral ceremony.

However the peak of Achilles transformation is seen in his last settlement with the King of Troy, Priam, which is the version of Homer modifies the understanding of the reader of the meaning of both a human and best. Looking at Priam who has gathered all the courage to come and beg him for the remains of his son, Achilles is provoked to mourn his own father and now shows compassion for Priam’s gray hair and beards.  For Achilles to be progressive he ought to not only feel the grief of Hector’s father but also use the feelings to understand the emotions that define the relation between other parents and their sons.

In the entire epic, however, Homer exemplifies that the rough road to consideration and empathy is distinguished and immensely greater to the ways of anger and bolshiness. Achilles shows immense rage when he destroys Hector’s body, the renowned Trojan warrior and Priam’s son. The destruction of the corpse is against the rites of the cremation of the Greek culture that suggests that a fighter, such as Hector or Patroclus ought to be accorded appropriate burial. Achilles’ rage over Patroclus demise hinders him from expressing empathy for another warrior and rival, something that can be evidenced in Lycanon and Hector. The attempt of King Priam to liberate the body of his son revives an aspect of compassion in Achilles who is run into with a voracious sense of vengeance after arguing with Agamemnon concerning Briseis, Achilles prizes and the demise of Patroclus. The Troy’s King succeeds in his act by pleading with himself and reminding Achilles about the shared hardships they have both gone through in the course of the war. Priam also plays a role in helping Achilles to recover compassion and overcome his anger that started after the heated argument between Achilles and Agamemnon, continuing in the whole epic, which gets to its top after the bereavement of Patroclus. Homer emphasizes the transformation of his main character, through the futility of unremitting anger and the degree of sympathy with some help from King Priam.

In some cultures, the lives of people are controlled by war and destruction. During the Trojan War, most of the Greek and Trojan warriors die in the war and praises are showered on their bravery, wisdom, and supremacy. When a soldier dies on the battlefield it is important that the deceased be given a suitable burial in reference to the Greek culture. For instance, Achaeans overdo the funeral pageant and prepare Patroclus’ burial with a lot of details to offer him a good send-off. Achilles “set two-handled jars of honey and oil besides him, leaned them against the bier”(Iliad 195-196). At the time of rites of the ceremony, Patroclus’ corpse is burnt on a furnace to do away with the contagions. Achilles is seen burning four huge horses that will serve as attendants to Patroclus, in addition to two mongrels, and twelve Trojans captured by Achilles when he was too exhausted to kill and they will all serve as slaves for Patroclus in the next world (Iliad 23.197). Such actions and others like funeral games as well as services allows the spirit of Patroclus to peacefully rest in Hade’s domain. Failure of conducting the ceremonies and means that the soul of the dead will not enter the netherworld world and will be forced to stroll the world forever or until a person gives the soul a burial.

King Priam has to face the grave state with the murder of his son. Achilles, the popular Greek soldier, slays Hector, one of the greatest Trojan soldier, just to seek vengeance for the demise of Patroclus. Other than taking the body of Hector back to the King for a suitable entombment, Achilles take the corpse damages it and later drag it back to the campsite by the beach. The king morns and is looking forward to giving his son a proper burial so as he can have a life the next world (the underworld). This makes the King sneak into the rival’s camp only to plead with Achilles for his son’s body and Homer as well uses Priam to rekindle sympathy in Achilles.

The Troy’ king is forced to plead for the remains of one of his great warrior from Achilles in order to give the deceased a funeral and wipe away the sadness of Troy’s people, and particularly his family. Even the gods are of the feeling that Achilles should reject his merciless acts and show a little kindness to Priam due to his problems. Later Zeus refers Thetis, Achilles’ mother to permit Priam to carry with him Hector’s remains. Hermes, who is the messenger god, also offers his support to the King by directing him through the tents of the Greeks and direct to that of Achilles. As the king gets into the tent he embraced the knees of Achilles and kisses the very same killing hands that had murdered the King’s numerous sons in the Warfield (Iliad 24.560-562.) The king shows honorable reverence to Achilles by pleading with a fresher yet furious Achilles. In a disconnected style Achilles welcomes the king of Troy even though with a lot of reverence. Like a noble father he is Priam is ready to do everything to take back Hector’s corpse to Troy for funeral rites and the burial. During this time Priam is humble enough not to act like a ruler but just a civilian and a father pleading for the remains of his own son back from Achilles to aid with his own impasse. The memories of Achilles father are brought up by Priam and the feeling of joy he feels in receiving the reports that our son is still alive. Priam goes further to ask for kindness from Achilles. Priam’s situation is harder to achieve than that of Achilles father since Priam subjects himself to “put to [his] lips the hands of the man who killed [his] son” (Iliad 24.591). Not even the worst father is supposed to experience what Priam is experiencing. After this kind of gesture Achilles permits Priam to take the body of Hector to Troy. In this act, Homer emphasizes the dignity of compassion by showing that the divinities as well wants Achilles to leave his merciless and furious ways and go back to where he belongs (Troy).

After the meeting with the King of Troy, Achilles is finally able to reach a state of compassion and such as state is reached when one is able to overcome his personal rage, which is a malicious feeling. From the start of the epic Achilles is angered by Agamemnon for hurting his ego as well as the demise of his closest acquaintance Patroclus. With this fury and fury in his heart, Achilles thrashes anyone and anything that blocks his way. One of such occasions is when he murders a group of Trojans by the river Xanthus. Lycaon who is Priam’s bastard son, pleads for his life, pleading to Achilles answers by saying that ”now not a single Trojan flees his death, not one the gods hand over to me before your gates, none of all the Trojans, sons of Priam least of all! Come, friend, you too must die“(Iliad 21.116-119). Blinded by his own anger Achilles razes very many Trojans by the river without showing any shred of compassion. The emotion, rage, can influence a person’s judgment, making one behave in a manner that is not reasonable with others. This is evidenced with Achilles and his way of behavior towards his colleagues, his disappearance from the War in retort to his own disputes with Agamemnon. Not only was the act self-centered but also resulted in the death of numerous countrymen. Achilles even goes further to beg his mother Thetis to appeal to Zeus to allow Troy to win over the Greeks in the war only to verify that the Greeks are nothing minus him. Achilles directs his mother to sit down by Zeus, embrace his knees, and convince him in a way to allow the Trojan cause, to bring down the Achaeans counter to their own crafts, snare them around the anchorage and shear them down (Iliad 1.484-487). Achilles anger is not only harmful to himself but as well to his fellow warriors. He seems to not ever reach any kind of kindness for his colleagues whereas he is soaked in his own anger and bolshiness. It required Priam, a knowledgeable aged king, with an experience of parallel problems to remove some of the anger from Achilles and drive some sense into him. By reuniting with Priam Achilles is able to transform and finds the compassion he required in the entire heroic poem.

In this entire poem, Achilles emotions have run high, from unremitting anger to some kind of empathy, with the aid of a few people including King Priam. King Priam is as well a reasonable and honorable personality, nonetheless, he assumes the duty of a father who tries to save the body of his son. The king demonstrates extensive honesty and as a result, he changes the anger of Achilles into deliberation and kindness that is animated in an epic hero. The King is required to relieve his sorrow that of his family and of the entire Troy be recovering the body of a warrior and according it a proper burial. Although Hector died amidst many other soldiers and a lot of destruction took place during the war, rivals can still get to some common grounds and together trace the way of compassion. Hence in the epic poem Homer, emphasizes the inconsequential fury and the enormity of kindness using other characters to demonstrate Achilles transformation.

In conclusion, the personality of Achilles in the poem achieves a mutual concord within the heroic literature through his change of perspective throughout the poem from a character directed by anger to one sensitive to emotions. Through analyzing his course, resulting to an understanding of nature, with its various kinks and turns of splendid disruption, one can likely get intuitions into your own path of life and its various forms of tactics to a divine feature. For Achilles, achieving this transformation was a procedure that entailed neglecting his personal humankind and considers the feelings and needs of other people. By demonstrating this kind of compassion, most particularly for Priam, Achilles changed from being selfish and self-centered as seen at the beginning of the poem and realizes his potentials that goes beyond the artificial weakness that affects every man’s journey.

Works Cited

Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1991

Schein, Seth L. The Mortal Hero: An Introduction to Homer’s Iliad. Berkeley: U of California P,    1984.