The Iliad is an Epic written by the Greeks, the story uses Greek Gods, and their powers to present the stories. Each story expresses many characteristics for each character in the story. In greek times, a person was judged by the characteristics that stood out about a person, because according to the greeks, if someone possessed an important quality, they could be known as a noble person or even a hero. I believe that the three most important qualities in the Iliad, are showing courage to a territory/ where the family is, strength, for what the person is fighting for, and most importantly, honor, with everything they do. Because without honor, what is there to live for?
Courage is an extremely important characteristic to have. To have courage is to be brave and have the ability to be able to stand up for what you believe it. It is to have a strong mind and a strong body. In Book 6, Hector shows courage when he chooses to fight in the battle, knowing the consequences because he wants to fight and stand up for what he believes in, “ Andromache, dear one, why so much grief for me? No man will hurl me down to Death, against my fate. And fate? No one alive has ever escaped it, neither brave man nor coward, I tell you- it’s born with us the day that we are born.
So please go home and tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for the fighting, men will see to that, all who were born in Troy but I most of all.” (Homer). Achilles also showed an impeccably tremendous amount of courage. So did anyone that fought, helped, or aided in battles and wars. Achilles had a lot of courage which is based on fearlessness. He had courage and fearlessness in every battle. He was invulnerable just about everywhere. His death having been caused by an arrow to the heal. He had lived a mostly courageous and somewhat honorable life at most times. Courage was important in times of war, because without some courage, who would even have fought?
Strength is vital when it comes to wars and battles. Of course, people have wits, defense, and other traits that may be compliant, but strength trumps them all. Having strength gives you power and superb abilities. Achilles was no god but he got strength from them and lots of it. Agamemnon, being who he is, with his reputation, did not believe it and thought it was unfair and not true. Book 1 says “Forever quarreling is dear to your heart, and wars and battles; and if you are very strong indeed, that is a god’s gift” (Homer).
He says how the only reason Achilles is so strong is from the gods, not his own doing. Another representation of strength was when Achilles wanted his revenge on Hector. He used all his strength in his battle agaisnt him, they said he was like a Hawk while Hector was like a Dove. Book 22 says “Hector looked up, saw him, started to tremble, nerve gone, he could hold his ground no longer, he left the gates behind and away he fled in fear- and Achilles went for him, fast, sure of his speed as the wild mountain hawk, the quickest thing on wings, launching smoothly, swooping down on a cringing dove and the dove flits out from under, the hawk screaming over the quarry, plunging over and over, his fury driving him down to beak and tear his kill” (Homer). Strength is a great trait to have or have given to you. It is very important to have in Greek times of battling and fighting.
Honor is very large in Greek society. It is probably the most important and major thing. If a person does not have honor or does not show any honorable traits/ abilities then that person is shamed. For the rest of their time they will be known as shameful and dishonorable. Along with the embarrassment, may come a punishment also. One of the main key points throughout the entire story is to have, seek, keep, or gain honor. One example would be when Agamemnon basically strips Achilles of his honor. Book 1 says “ But let this be my warning on your way: since Apollo insists on taking my Chryseis, I’ll send her back in my own ships with my crew. But I, I will be there in person at your tents to take Briseis in all her beauty, your own prize- so you can learn just how much greater I am than you and the next man up may shrink from watching words with me, from hoping to rival Agamemnon strength for strength!” (Homer).
Since Achilles threatened and decided to take Chryseis, Agamemnon decided to take Achilles prize, Briseis as punishment. This showed Agamemnon’s view of his honor and how he believes he is honorable. This also shows how Achilles had lost all his honor due to Agamemnon. After having his honor taken, he leaves the army and refuses to fight for the Achaeans. The Achaeans need Achilles in order to win in their battles but Achilles just will not budge because he has no honor left. This goes to show how much, honor really means to the Greeks.
Having noble, heroic characteristics in greek times is an extremely great thing. In these times, that’s really all that matters. Achilles had so much courage and an impeccable amount of strength, that even after having his honor ripped away by Agamemnon he was still greatly needed for his courageousness and strength. Courage is not really valued the same now and in Greek times. It was valued a lot more in Greek times because they wanted people to be courageous at all times, and that is not really the case now a days.
Strength is valued pretty much the same now and then. If someone has strength, they are more likely to be valued more than a weak person. Honor is definitely not valued at the same same rate then and now. It was definitely valued a lot more then than it is now. People do not really have honor persay. Like if someone was to “lose their honor” it would not really be as big of a deal then it was then, people would just forget about it and go on with their lives. So overall, characteristics and traits that make a person heroic are valued a lot more in Greek times although some are still valued the same.
