Free Essays - Achilles Moral Dilemma in Homers Iliad :: Iliad essays

Achilles Moral Dilemma in Homers Iliad The question was Achilles raise justified d each(prenominal)ys up issues that seem to have little or no relevance to the war. In time of war I would expect the leadership to prioritize the groups interest for the sake of unity and cooperation rather than being fix in achieving their own personal goals. But my expectations be those of a recent day literature student, Im inclined to think that the Greeks who first read this heroic poem valued different things than myself. Another relevant question might be were Achilles actions justified. Anger can be tardily justified, but the actions that crossness might lead you to take are not as easily justified. Again I am not an ancient Greek and my opinions are irrelevant unless I open my mind to different viewpoints. Therefore I am striving to look into this issue through ancient Greek eyes where the principle of sacrificing nonpareils own interests was apparently not valued, but mai ntaining integritys honor, on the other hand, was greatly valued. In the following paragraphs I will strive to answer these two aforementioned questions. The facts of this conflict are all sanely straight forward and by recounting the facts I hope to bring to light the truths that justify Achilles anger. First off Agamemnon had distributed the booty fairly and all the more powerful Achaeans had gotten a concubine, Agamemnon just happened to choose the daughter of one of Apollos priest. When Apollo sends a plague to the Achaean camp Achilles concern for his comrades leads him to call an forum with the purpose of interpreting the plague and taking necessary action. Agamemnon reluctantly agrees to fall in his concubine to her father if he is repaid another concubine by one of the other powerful Achaeans. At this Achilles stands up for himself and the other Achaeans, he insults Agamemnon by saying that Agamemnon claims his greatness. When Agamemnon takes Achilles concu bine, Achilles probably expected the other Achaeans to stand up for him as he had done for them earlier. But he is left alone. His honor insulted by a man that he had served loyally. Humiliated, by a group of concourse to whom he owed nothing. A great sense of betrayal overcame Achilles.