Supernatural Strength of Achilles in The Iliad
Without a doubt, Achilles' supernatural strength is the most apparent aspect that is examined in Homer's works, The Iliad. Achilles is praised for his bravery and ability to assist the misfortune when battling the supernatural monsters that are present at the moment. He is considered a favored person and a figure that is cherished by the gods. Achilles is a retro character that is thought to have lived in the ancient Greek Empire and is thought to have been a chosen kin of the gods to do earthly things for them (Yeroulanos 801).
Achilles' Intense Pride and Fury
However, at the same time, the character of the Greek god Achilles is questioned as he is seen as a proud person. His intense pride is associated with his wild nature and behavior, which makes him come out as a rationale person who is full of fury and anger despite his formidable prowess as a brave and fierce warrior in battle.
Achilles' Fury and Its Consequences
Looking back at the description of Achilles in the battlefield as a formidable warrior and brave at the same time, the thought that his fury is what makes him the exceptional figure he is in combat. Additionally, the discussion that his fury is his undoing is close to the door in most opinionates as it comes out as a negative attribute to have for someone who is a key figure in the society.
Achilles' Psychological Downside
As put by Aristotle, a man who is not capable of working in harmony with others in the community often is alienated just like a beast or a god since they are not in tandem with what happens around them (Garver 45). Most of such characters are ego challenged or have a psychological downside that does not fit well with others. Such include jealousy, pride, rebelliousness, violence, and many more traits that make them in a collision with the other humans of the society.
Achilles' Pursuit for Appreciation and Recognition
Achilles is, however, a well-balanced person who in some cases might be thought to be misunderstood due to his nature and the success that he has piled up in the battlefield. Achilles is power-hungry and driven to be the best, seeking accolades and prizes for his victory in battles. He is a proud brute who needs to feel appreciated and have his endeavors be noted and rewarded. But due to the lack of such niceties, it leads Achilles to be a self-seeking and implicated proud person by the society due to his demands. Achilles is a true warrior who has done a lot for his society, and giving him the applause that he deserves is something that he is after, but his pursuit and interest in the same makes him come off as a proud and self-centered individual to those close to him.
Achilles' Growing Brutality and Wrath
Achilles has been able to create an enemy of himself and those around him, including his king, as he is proud and questions why he does all the battling, and yet the ruler gets the most of the treasure that they collect in their trips. Due to the society's view of his nature, Achilles is consumed slowly by evil deeds due to his self-victimization and being a deserted island of a man, and he grows to be brutal, bloodthirsty, and full of wrath for his opponents. He goes on to slay and butcher mercilessly Trojan men in the battlefield and being the feared warrior he is, and he ultimately scares all that know him to the extent that they appeal to his father to assist them in talking to the son. However, the efforts of the father seem to have gone to waste as Achilles is the same man that he was the most vicious and proud warrior, with loads of fury that make him more of a beast than a god.
The Influence of the Community on Achilles
In conclusion, the reliance of a man on the community molds one's character in one way or another. The influences that present themselves create a man, bringing them closer to people or alienating them to be introverts. In the Greek era, being considered a warrior came with its fair share of respect and being looked at as a pillar of the society. In return, some of the greatest fighters became proud as the fame and wealth got to them. Similarly, these attributes exist in the present world, and there is a need to have a balance of such influence since with great power comes greater responsibility.
References
Garver, Eugene. Aristotle's Politics: Living Well and Living Together. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011. Internet resource.
Yeroulanos, Marinos. A Dictionary of Classical Greek Quotations. 2016. Print.
