The Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homer’s The Iliad Essay -- Iliad Essa

The Metamorphosis of Achilles in bulls eyes The Iliad Dr. Frosts comments With his clear explanation, illustrative quotes, and logical organization, the student easily proves his thesis, recapped and support actually well in the final paragraph.From the first pages of kors The Iliad, Achilles is portrayed as vengeful, proud, and petty. As the book progresses, the image of Achilles as a revengeful youngster is sharpened dramatically. Towards the end of the epic however, Achilles begins to exhibit qualities that argon considered heroic even in todays society. Once his loyal and trusted helpmate Patroclus dies, Achilles undergoes a drastic change in character. When he confronts the true horror of death, Achilles puts aside his immature ways to fulfill his duty to his friend, his compatriots, and his conscience. In this way, the progression of Achilles as a character is an analogy for the transition from youth to maturity.The first book of The Iliad, appropriately titled the Rage of Achilles, sets the scene for the remainder of the epic. Agamemnon seizes Achilles prize, the beautiful Briseis, to sooth his own hurt pride. thus far though Achilles is correct to suggest that Agamemnon return Chryseis, the swift runners brash manner leaves Agamemnon feeling slighted. In return, Achilles vows that he will not weigh in the Trojan War any longer. Once Briseis is seized, Achilles goes to the beach to cry to his mother. This is reminiscent of how a small kid would act when denied something he wants. It seems that Homer is severe to compare Achilles actions in the early books to that of a child. Achilles implores his mother to go to Zeus and ask the god to crush the Greeks until they give Achilles the honors he ... ...les has been throughout the epic. His actions ground that he has finally seen to the heart of his fury and found it pointless and destructive. He is ready to fulfill his duty to the Greeks, yet is willing to treat his enemies wi th respect and ingenuity because they are humans as well.In conclusion, the progression of Achilles character in The Iliad can easily be viewed as an analogy for the progression of a child to an adult. From the vindictive rage in the beginning to the compassionate respect in the end of the epic, Achilles development mirrors that of a stereotypical human from childhood to maturity. The concepts that seem substantial to him in the beginning, his honor and glory, slowly become supplanted by more reasonable and mature ideals of duty, respect and compassion.Work CitedHomer Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York Barnes and Noble, 2003. The Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homers The Iliad Essay -- Iliad EssaThe Metamorphosis of Achilles in Homers The Iliad Dr. Frosts comments With his clear explanation, illustrative quotes, and logical organization, the student easily proves his thesis, recapped and affirmed very well in the final paragraph.From the first pages of Homers The Iliad, Achilles is portrayed as vengeful, proud, and petty. As the book progresses, the image of Achilles as a spiteful child is sharpened dramatically. Towards the end of the epic however, Achilles begins to exhibit qualities that are considered heroic even in todays society. Once his loyal and trusted friend Patroclus dies, Achilles undergoes a drastic change in character. When he confronts the true horror of death, Achilles puts aside his immature ways to fulfill his duty to his friend, his compatriots, and his conscience. In this way, the progression of Achilles as a character is an analogy for the transition from youth to maturity.The first book of The Iliad, appropriately titled the Rage of Achilles, sets the scene for the remainder of the epic. Agamemnon seizes Achilles prize, the beautiful Briseis, to sooth his own wounded pride. Even though Achilles is correct to suggest that Agamemnon return Chryseis, the swift runners brash manner leaves Agamemnon feeling sligh ted. In return, Achilles vows that he will not fight in the Trojan War any longer. Once Briseis is seized, Achilles goes to the beach to cry to his mother. This is reminiscent of how a small child would act when denied something he wants. It seems that Homer is trying to compare Achilles actions in the early books to that of a child. Achilles implores his mother to go to Zeus and ask the god to crush the Greeks until they give Achilles the honors he ... ...les has been throughout the epic. His actions show that he has finally seen to the heart of his fury and found it pointless and destructive. He is ready to fulfill his duty to the Greeks, yet is willing to treat his enemies with respect and courtesy because they are humans as well.In conclusion, the progression of Achilles character in The Iliad can easily be viewed as an analogy for the progression of a child to an adult. From the spiteful rage in the beginning to the compassionate respect in the end of the epic, Ach illes development mirrors that of a stereotypical human from childhood to maturity. The concepts that seem important to him in the beginning, his honor and glory, slowly become supplanted by more reasonable and mature ideals of duty, respect and compassion.Work CitedHomer Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York Barnes and Noble, 2003.