Transformation of Achilles in the Iliad

Transformation Of Achilles In The Iliad

Homer, throughout The Iliad, illustrates that although it can be difficult to reach, the rough road to compassion is noble and ultimately superior to the easier paths of anger and rage. In Book 22, Achilles demonstrates mindless rage as he desecrates the body of the Trojan warrior and son of King Priam, Hector.

This violates Greek funeral rites, which say that a warrior of Hectors status, like Patroklos before him, should receive a proper burial. Achilles’ rage over the death of Patroklos, however, prevents him from having compassion for a fellow warrior, namely Hector.

Priam attempts to ransom his son’s body and, in turn, reawaken a sense of compassion in Achilles, who had become vengeful after his quarrel with Agamemnon and Hectors slaying of Patroklos. He accomplishes this by supplicating himself and by reminding Achilles of the common tragedies that both men have suffered throughout the Trojan War.

Priam helps Achilles regain his compassion and quell his anger that began after his quarrel with Agamemnon, festered throughout the poem and reached its pinnacle after the death of Patroklos. Thus, through the transformation of his main character and epic hero, Achilles, Homer is stressing the futility of rage and the importance of compassion

Melendez 2

in Greek society.

In Homeric Society, warfare and destruction dominate the lives of many citizens. During the Trojan War, many warriors, Trojan and Greek alike, die on the field of battle. These warriors are lauded for their strength, intelligence, and courage. When a great Homeric warrior dies, it is extremely important that they receive a proper burial according to Greek funeral rites. In Book 23, for example, the Greeks go to great lengths to prepare the body of Patroklos and give him a proper funeral.

Achilles “set beside him two-handled jars of oil and honey leaning them against the bier, and drove four horses with strong necks swiftly aloft the pyre.” During this ceremony, the dead body is burned on a pyre to remove from it any impurities. Next to the body, Achilles places provisions such as honey and oil for Patroklos’ journey to Hades. The horses will serve as his guides, along with nine dogs, and twelve dead Trojans that will be his slaves.

These actions, along with other rituals, allow the spirit to lead a life in the underworld. If these rights are not performed, the spirit will not be allowed to enter Hades and will be forced to roam the Earth, asking for a proper burial.

This is exemplified in Book 11 of The Odyssey when Odysseus meets the soul of his companion, Elpenor, who was not buried properly and, subsequently, cannot enter Hades. Elpenor says to Odysseus “I ask that you remember me, and do not go and leave me behind unwept, unburied…but burn me there with all my armor that belongs to me, and heap up a grave mound beside the beach of the gray sea”.

In Book 24 of Homer’s The Iliad, King Priam of Troy is forced to deal with this grave situation. The famed Akhaian warrior, Achilles, kills Priam’s son, Hector, the

Melendez 3

greatest Trojan warrior, to avenge the death of his friend Patroklos. But instead of returning Hector’s body to the Trojans for proper burial, Achilles, in a fit of rage, steals the body and drags it back to the Akhaian camp. King Priam mourns for his son and longs to give him a proper burial. In Book 24, he goes to the Akhaian camp to ransom his son’s body from Achilles. Priam does this to insure Hector the warrior’s funeral that he deserves and to make sure that he descends peacefully to Hades.

Priam, therefore, must ransom Hector’s body from the Akhaian camp to ensure him a proper burial and to ease the mourning felt by the Trojan’s, especially Hector’s family. Even the Gods on Mt. Olympus feel that Achilles should stop his vengeful actions and become more compassionate to Priam’s plight. Zeus sends Thetis to tell her son that the time has come for him to allow Priam to ransom his son’s body.

Hermes, the messenger God, guides Priam through the camp and into the tent of Achilles. As Priam enters the tent he “caught the knees of Achilles in his arms, and kissed the hands that were dangerous and man slaughtering and had killed so many of his sons”. Thus, Priam shows great respect for Achilles in this scene by supplicating himself to the younger warrior.