Essay on Cruelty and Compassion in Homer’s Iliad -- Iliad essays

Cruelty and Compassion in The IliadThe Iliad, in that it is more about the Greek hero Achilles than any other particular person, portrays the Achaean in surprisingly shocking light at times throughout the story. In his encounter with Lycaon, who had previously been taken prisoner by Achilles long ago, Achilles demonstrates the extents to which his warlike behavior ass go. Yet it is equally surprising that he is adequate to(p) of impressive compassion, as is depicted elsewhere in the Iliad. What follow outms to be an almost unbelievable version in attitude and mood is far from unexplained or contradictory, however. In fact, there is a well-defined regularity in Achilles actions and demeanors, to the point of being capable of systematic classification. Achilles is not a loose cannon or an unpredictable firebrand. The method to his madness can be applied to his encounter with Lycaon as it can with any of his episodes in the Iliad. It is in Scroll XXI, at the height of his vengeful and destructive advance, that Achilles meets Lycaon. He has just captured twelve soldiers for sacrifice, and at the exact moment that he reaches Lycaon he is thirsting for still further blood (33). Lycaon entreats Achilles to have mercy on him. He mentions that he has been captured before by Achilles and has had precious little time to make whoopie his regained freedom. He also distances himself from Hektor, who he knows has Achilles enmity because of the death of Patroklos. In near desperation, Lycaon falls to his knees, declaring himself to Achilles as suppliant (64). Achilles reaction at this instance is, along with his contamination of Hektors body, among the most grim and bellicose moments in the Iliad and in Achilles development as a character. H... ...rom being shocking, it is in fact completely consistent with the character of Achilles that we see throughout the Iliadfearsome in combat, respectful of honor and courage otherwise. Works Cited and Consulted Camps, W. A. A n Introduction to Homer. Oxford Clarendon Press, 1980. Goodrich, Norma. Cruelty and Compassion in The Iliad . New York Orion Press, 1962. Homer Iliad. Trans. Stanley Lombardo. capital of Indiana Hackett Publishing Co., 1994. Richardson, Nicholas. The Iliad A Commentary. Vol. VI books 21-24. Cambridge Cambridge University Press. 1993. Schein, Seth L. The Mortal Hero An Introduction to Homers Iliad. Berkeley University of California Press, 1984. Veiner, George, and Fagles, Robert, eds. Homer A Collection of Critical Essays. Twentieth Century Views, ed. Maynard Mack. Englewood Cliffs, N. J. apprentice Hall, 1962.