Achilles Speech In The Iliad Essay Example
Death is inevitable, even for Akhilleus, arguably the greatest war tactician in Greek mythology. Most Greek heroes, including Odysseus, believe if you die an honorable death, then you should not complain. While in the underworld, Odysseus converses with Akhilleus about dying in respectable ways. Odysseus claims Akhilleus had the most honorable death, and he should not be saddened by it. Akhilleus knows he should be happy as a lord over the dead, the souls hold him in high esteem. However, his derisive, nostalgic, and mournful tone throughout his speech, reveal his unhappiness and contradict the standard belief most Greek heroes have about death.
Akhilleus’s derisive tone mocks how people treat Greek heroes, and consequently, himself. A lot of great heroes died avenging their loved ones or getting revenge on someone who wronged them. Agamemnon did, and so did Akhilleus. Odysseus tells Akhilleus, “you need not be so pained by death” (XI.574). Akhilleus, recalling his life as well as his death, addresses Odysseus as “light of councils” (XI.578). Akhilleus’s word choice conveys a deriding tone because the term teases and alludes to Odysseus being known, respected, and admired among groups of important people. He states it to mock the way they’re put on a pedestal when, in reality, they shouldn't be. Akhilleus judges Odysseus for playing into the idea of what a Greek hero is because he knows the reality and aftermath of having the mindset. He explains how he would rather live “as a farm hand for some poor country man,” (XI.579) than a deceased lord over the dead. His hypothetical situation reveals how he feels about his past decisions. Akhilleus had everything Odysseus strives to have. Akhilleus recognizes the similarities and tells Odysseus he would give up the lavish life and live as a farmhand (the poorest of the poor) to return to his family. He suggests Odysseus do the same. He scorns the life of a big hero and sees value in being present above anything else.
Akhilleus’s nostalgic tone reveals his dissatisfaction with how he died and his feelings towards the man he became. Greek heroes often aggrandize themselves by giving up the opportunity to live fully and experience. Akhilleus died the way Greek heroes wanted to, with purpose and for a reason, and in doing so, he died with “rank” and “honor” (XI.585). He realizes what he missed out on while trying to gain such status. He refers to himself in the third person as “that man” (XI.589), because he cannot identify with the living version of himself anymore. Akhilleus, the definition of a Greek hero, detests himself on the grounds of his own actions. His obvious distinction between himself previously and now demonstrates his longing for life.
Akhilleus’s mournful tone reveals his unhappiness with how he died and his life. Feeling the effect of a body without a soul, he says, “Were I but whole again” (XI.593), revealing his grief. He points out examples of how living is better than death, showing his disappointment with where he got himself. Akhilleus’s “passion” (XI.595), thirst for glory, set him on the road to becoming a hero. However, the amount of power he gained led him to choose his own fate. Unfortunately, he realized too late he made the wrong decision. Akhilleus mourns the loss of the possibility to live. He only fully apprehended the weight of his decisions once he no longer had the choice to make them. He wishes he could go back and live the life he now realizes he wants.
Akhilleus continuously reminds Odysseus to be present and not get so caught up in the glory and fame. The advice he gave Odysseus comes from his own experience and lack thereof. Through examples from his own life as well as hypotheticals, he expresses the expendability of the extravagant lifestyle as well as the vitality of one's family. Akhilleus’s speech reveals his unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and judgment through his mournful, nostalgic, and derisive tone.
