Rico Dark
Bell 1-B
Hero Essay
The epic poem Book 22 of the Iliad, was written by Homer. The two main
characters are Achilles and Hector. Achilles is a Greek warrior that is fighting in
the Trojan War. Hector is the Prince of the Trojans and a Roman warrior. The
archetypal hero is a character that always faces danger but comes out on top at
the end. An epic hero is a character that also faces danger before succeeding.
They are also smarter, braver and stronger than the average person. Achilles is
the hero because he is brave and strong who fought to save Helen.
Achilles is the hero in this poem because of his characteristics and actions.
While chasing Apollo, he shows speed and stamina. “Then toward the town with
might and main he ran, magnificent, like a racing chariot horse that holds its form
at full strength on the plain. So light-footed, Achilles held the pace.” (ll.26-29)
When Achilles and Hector were fighting, Achilles got support from the Gods,
“Pallas Athens plucked [the spear] and gave it back to Achilles”. (ll.328-329)
Hector is not the hero in Homer’s epic the Iliad. Hector is tricked by the
Gods. “[Athena] seemed Deiphobus in form and resonant voice, appearing at this
shoulder, saying swiftly:/ Ali! Dear brother, how he runs, Achilles, harrying you
around the town of Priam!” (ll.270-274) During the fight, Achilles stabs Hector in
his neck and Hector begs Achilles to give his dead body to his parents instead of
feeding him to the dogs. It is here that Hector is showing that he wants to keep in
pride. “I beg you by your soul and by your parents, do not let the dogs feed on me
in you encampment by the ships”. (ll.402-404)
The lesson we learn from the epic poem Book 22 of the Iliad is to learn to
love everyone. It is easier and better for different cultures to unite and share
their beliefs instead of fighting about them. If Achilles and Hector would have
met in the middle, maybe Hector would still be alive. Believing in something and
someone is great, but nor worth losing your life over. Achilles is the hero because
he not only is strong and brave, but he also fought for Helen.