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

Cruelty and Compassion in The IliadThe Iliad, in that it is more than about the Greek hero Achilles than any other particular person, portrays the Achaean in surprisingly shocking light at times end-to-end the story. In his encounter with Lycaon, who had previously been taken prisoner by Achilles coarse ago, Achilles demonstrates the extents to which his warlike demeanor finish go. Yet it is equally surprising that he is capable of impressive compassion, as is depicted elsewhere in the Iliad. What seems to be an almost unbelievable fluctuation in attitude and mood is utmost from unexplained or contradictory, however. In fact, there is a well-defined mode 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 a nd 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 racket his regained freedom. He also distances himself from Hektor, who he knows has Achilles enmity because of the death of Patroklos. In in effect(p) desperation, Lycaon falls to his knees, declaring himself to Achilles as suppliant (64). Achilles reaction at this instance is, on with his defilement of Hektors body, among the most grim and bellicose moments in the Iliad and in Achilles emergence as a character. H... ...rom being shocking, it is in fact completely arranged with the character of Achilles that we see throughout the Iliadfearsome in combat, respectful of take note and courage otherwise. Works Cited and Consulted Camps, W. A. An Introduction to Homer. Oxford Clarendon Press, 1980. Goodrich, Norma. Cruelty and Compassion in The Iliad . refreshing York Orion Press, 1962. Homer Iliad. Trans. Stanley Lombardo. Indianapolis Hackett Publishing Co., 1994. Richardson, Nicholas. The Iliad A Commentary. Vol. VI books 21-24. Cambridge Cambridge University Press. 1993. Schein, solidification L. The Mortal Hero An Introduction to Homers Iliad. Berkeley University of California Press, 1984. Veiner, George, and Fagles, Robert, eds. Homer A gathering of Critical Essays. Twentieth Century Views, ed. Maynard Mack. Englewood Cliffs, N. J. Prentice Hall, 1962.