Page 12 - GALIET THE WALL, THE SPEAR, THE ROSE AND THE QUEST FOR THE 4 CARDINAL CORNERS: Hektor of Troy IV

warriors, Achilles5, in Book 1, is primarily motivated by his wrath6 towards Agamemnon, which impels him to withdraw from fighting. Secondly, Achilles is motivated by his collapsing grief and necessity to avenge the death of Patroklos, his beloved friend for whom he joins the battle in Book 19. While both Schein and Pope agree on the nature of Hektor and Achilles as victor and victim; Mueller, provocatively, views Achilles as a “seeing” being and Hektor as a “blind” being. Schein suggests that Achilles is seen through the prism of the “victor” because it is often compared to a “predatory animal” and a “raging forest” while Hektor is seen as the “victim” because it is compared to a “predator’s victim” or a “destructive boulder” (p.180). Pope adds that Hektor’s character shares a mix of “sedate courage” with contempt of death and humanity while Achilles’ character is filled with fieriness, resentment and arrogance (317-p.1039). Mueller points out that Achilles is always seeing and aware of his actions; he realizes that he is prisoner of his previous decisions.
5 Achilles went eagerly to war after his identity was discovered by Odysseus. However, he is the only one who takes no oath of loyalty that forces him to fight. March, Jenny. Cassell Dictionary of Classical Mythology. UK: Cassell, 1998.
6 Achilles wrath is due partially to slight of honour and to loss of Briseis’ love and company to Agamemnon.
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