Assignment 204 Achilles

Fina l As s ing me nt
Gr e e k a nd Ro ma n Cl a s s ic s
in
Tr a ns l a t io n
Co ur s e Co de : ENG 2 04
Submitted by,
Name: Tanjima Jannat Tithy
ID: 20116044
Section: B
Semester: Spring 2021
Level: 2nd year, 1st semester
Submitted to,
Iffat Jahan Suchona,
Lecturer,
Department of English
University of Asia Pacific (UAP)
Evaluate the transformation of “Achilles” throughout Homer’s Iliad. From your
perspective, what can be the reason for the change in Achilles’ characteristics?
To what extent, do you think Achilles is a realistic character? Give personal
examples and textual evidence to support your answer.
Achilles the demigod is an invincible headstrong warrior who is a lover of war, bearer &
conveyor of strong emotions; qualifications as such endow Achilles with capacities for intense
anger, grief, and love. Homer portrayed his extreme rage early in the epic. After the significant
event of Patroclus’ death Achilles undertakes dramatic character arcs. Towards the end of the
epic, Achilles begins to reveal qualities that are noteworthy and heroic. Upon confronting the
true horror of death, Achilles puts aside his childish rage to develop a sense of responsibility and
compassion. This transition from youth to maturity makes Achilles a realistic character, as every
being in this universe goes through such conversion under different circumstances.
The first book of “The Iliad” appropriately titled the "Rage of Achilles" works as a foundation
for the rest of the events. Achilles' conflict with Agamemnon regarding the war prize (Briseis
and Cryseis) fuels Achilles rage to a great extent that he takes an oath of not fighting in the
Trojan War. Once Briseis is seized by Agamemnon, Achilles goes to his mother, the sea-nymph
Thetis and whines about is. He says, “But you, mother. if you have any power at all, / protect
your son! Go to Olympus, plead with Zeus, / if you ever warmed his heart with a word or any
action” (Book 1; Section: 460) He adds, “persuade him, somehow, to help the Trojan cause …
so even mighty Atrides can see how mad he was / to disgrace Achilles, the best of the
Achaeans!” (Book 1; Section: 490) Such actions replicate how a small child would behave when
denied something he wants and takes decisions by being influenced by anger.
Later on in book nine, Agamemnon sends an embassy (Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix) to entreat
the famous runner. As a last attempt, Phoenix directly approaches Achilles by saying " Even the
gods themselves can bend and change, / and theirs is the greater power, honor, strength " (Book
9; Section: 600). Even so Achilles rejects to join the battle immediately. However, he
diplomatically says, “I will not think of arming for bloody war again, / not till the son of wise
King Priam, dazzling Hector / batters all the way to the Myrmidon ships and shelters, /
slaughtering Argives” (Book 9; Section: 800) Although his childlike wailing has reduced at this
point and he is willingly listening to his peers, he still does not want let go of his anger,
continues to verbally abuse Agamemnon, and discloses his concern regarding his fate of death.
These scenarios indicate Achilles’ adolescent viewpoint.
Achilles first shows signs of feeling a sense of duty towards the Greeks several books later when
Patroclus beseeches Achilles. Achilles still refuses to enter combat but tells Patroclus "Still, by
god, I said I would not relax my anger, / not till the cries and carnage reached my own ships"
(Book 16; Section: 70). This statement depicts Achilles slight desires to take part in the war, but
he is unwilling to admit that he was wrong to refuse in the first place. In his stead, Achilles sends
Patroclus, clad in Achilles’ armor and leading the Myrmidons, which shows that Achilles is
feeling a slight responsibility towards his companions. Soon afterwards, when Patroclus dies,
Achilles is finally swayed to put aside his anger and grows a desire for vengeance. The desire for
revenge clouds his judgment and he starts a killing spree. Ironically, he also exhibits disgust at
his own anger when he says " . . .All those burning desires/ Olympian Zeus has brought to pass
for me - / but what joy to me now? My dear comrade's dead . . . " (Book 18; Section: 90).
After killing Hector and humiliating his death body, Achilles finally begins to see life and
relationships with other people from a mortal point of view, and at the same time, he is drawing
ever closer to the divine aspects of love. When Priam comes to retrieve Hector, Achilles treats
him with respect and further agrees to give Priam enough time to bury Hector properly. This is
the most empathetic Achilles has been throughout the epic.
From my point of view, Achilles had some time to reflect back on his actions after fulfilling his
revenge as now he is left without any purpose.
The famous Canadian singer, Justine Bieber is an excellence comparison who embodies many
characteristics illustrated by Achilles. Justine has been under the spotlight from his early
childhood and his transition as a star uncannily resembles Achilles’ transformation. In 2011,
Bieber was still thought of as the cute kid who was discovered as an excessively rude celebrity
on YouTube when he insulted a photographer with distrustful hand gestures. He later apologized,
however continued to use his fame to escape consequences of attacking a paparazzi, smoking
weeds before his adulthood, arriving late for concerts, cheating on his partner so on and so forth.
However after 2018, he stopped his outrageous behavior, publicly apologized, got more
respectful toward photographers and his partner. His prideful behaviors seem to have calmed
down after going through different phases of difficulties.
In conclusion, Achilles’ development mirrors the metamorphosis of human behavior in different

chapters of life. His concepts of honor, glory and revenge, slowly become supplanted by more
reasonable and mature ideals of duty, respect, compassion and love; making him a relatable and
a realistic character.
Reference
Ciffsnote . (2021). Ciffsnote . Retrieved November 02, 2021, from The Iliad :
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/i/the-iliad/character-analysis/achilles
Sparksnote. (2021). Sparksnote. Retrieved November 2, 2021, from The Iliad; Characters; Achilles:
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/character/achilles/
Today. (2021). Today. Retrieved november 6, 2021, from Justin Bieber's downfall:
https://www.today.com/popculture/justin-biebers-downfall-8-simple-steps-6C10132130

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Fina l As s ing me nt

In conclusion, Achilles’ development mirrors the metamorphosis of human behavior in different

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