Character Analysis of Achilles in The Iliad

In Homer's The Iliad, headstrong Achilles wishes danger upon his comrades due to selfishness brought forward by his longing for status, after his honor and respect, along with his war prize, Briseis, are ripped out from under him. Achilles allows us to understand the influence that the heroic virtue, honor, along with rank, has on him through his actions and emotions that are provoked throughout this epic poem. As described by Aristotle, heroic virtue “represents a society’s highest ideals and these are embodied to such an extent in a character that they appear divine, even god-like”. That is, those who portray traits of heroic virtue can be characterized as a superior figure such as a god. Achilles often, if not always, exhibits heroic virtue and as a result is regarded highly amongst fellow Achaeans and is named the Achaeans greatest warrior by all. Notably, Achilles portrays the most important heroic virtue of honor. Defined as “respect for rank and status”, that when disrespected can “often reflect a fault or deficiency in one’s virtue”, honor and rank are deeply bound to the motives behind Achilles’ ongoing rage. Undeniably, by wishing ill upon his allies, Achilles has unveiled the hold that honor has over him. His own honor and status has been tested; damaging his pride, leaving him to abandon the Achaeans, and fall to the intensity of greed. In The Iliad Achilles wishes harm upon his comrades due to the growing conflict between himself and Agamemnon as the battle becomes less about a stolen prize, and more about the loss of honor, respect, and rank that threatens his pride.

By attempting to harm his comrades after the kidnapping of Briseis, Achilles reveals his craving for honor and high status. Instead of sticking with Agamemnon to fight the Trojans, Achilles asks his mother to help sabotage his allies after his ego has been wounded. Achilles begs his mother, Thetis, to talk Zeus into impairing the Achaeans: “‘…pin the Achaeans back against their ships, / trap them round the bay and mow them down. / So all can reap the benefits of their king— / so even might Atrides can see how mad he was / to disgrace Achilles, the best of the Achaeans!’” (91.486-490). Achilles would much rather watch his allies, the Achaeans, be killed by the Trojans, than be dishonored by King Agamemnon. The only thing on Achilles’ mind is his slowly declining status and how he will mend his rank. When Agamemnon’s men, who were sent to take away Briseis, reach Achilles, Achilles illustrates his anger when he states that “if thee day should come when thee armies need me / to save their ranks from ignominious, stark defeat” (89.403-404). Blinded by his motives of glory and vengeance, Achilles impulsively reveals his deep-rooted greed through his lack of help against the Trojans. His yearning for authority and respect has distracted him from the more pressing issue; the Trojan War itself. It’s as though the capturing of his war prize, while devastating, is no significant stunt in comparison to his absence in the Trojan War, as this will be far more devastating. The impact of the necessity of honor is reflected through Achilles self-regarding actions against the Achaeans.

Going hand in hand, rank and honor have cast a spell on Achilles that has intensified his rage. Mortal son of a goddess, Achilles relies heavily on rank to keep him alive. The wrath of Achilles is high, as he and Agamemnon quarrel back and forth, he is attempting to make a deadly advance on the king: “Down from the skies I come to check your rage / if only you will yield / […] / Stop this fighting, now. Don’t lay hand to sword” (84.243-246). Goddess Athena warns Achilles not to harm Agamemnon, Achilles complies and replies that “if a man obeys the gods / they’re quick to hear his prayers” (84.256-257). Achilles almost instantly respects Athena as to keep her, and Zeus, in his good graces. Achilles uses his honorability and overall rank as compensation for his lack of eternal life that his mother has. Achilles’ anger is only personified by the capturing of Briseis. He wails “so at least Olympian Zeus, thundering up on high, / should give me honor—but now he gives me nothing. / Atreus’ son Agamemnon, for all his far-flung kingdoms—, the man disgraces me, seizes and keeps my prize, / he tears her away himself!” (89.418-422). Achilles views the capturing of Briseis as a personal attack on him and his rank. She was his war prize, and his “trophy” has been stolen away from him. As a result, he withdraws from the war and only creates a greater strife within the Trojan War. Achilles’ view on his rank and how he believes others perceive him, along with his struggle to find a balance between mortality and immortality, defines his inner resentment towards the Achaeans.