Achilles in The Illiad is not a Hero Essay - 1009 Words

Achilles in The Illiad is not a Hero In the introduction of the Essential Illiad given by Sheila Murnaghan, Achilles is labeled as â€Å"the greatest of the Greek heroes†. In classic mythology a hero is a person of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits and is often the offspring of a mortal and a god. Achilles was the greatest fighter among the Greeks or Trojans and feared no man in battle. He was also the offspring of a mortal and a god so by classic mythology definition, Achilles was indeed a hero. A hero is defined by the present day Websters Dictionary as: â€Å"one who inspires through manners and actions; an individual who leads through personal example and accomplishments requiring bravery, skill, determination,†¦show more content†¦During that entire time, Achilles’ justification for wallowing in self-pity is that he has been â€Å"dishonored†. This argument becomes null and void when Agamemnon offers lavish compensation for the affront. In addition to returning B riseis, Agamemnon offers Achilles seven unfired tripods, ten gold bars, twenty burnished cauldrons, a dozen horses, seven beautiful women from Lesbos, twenty Trojan women, his daughters’ hand in marriage along with a rich dowry, and the ownership of seven populous cities. Any reasonable person would have taken the offer but not prideful, bitter Achilles. Instead he continues on with the same old rhetoric and refuses to fight. As if standing idly by while his countrymen were being killed was not enough, Achilles has his mother call in a favor to Zeus asking him to help the Trojans so that even more Greeks would die during his absence. Not only did he abandon his comrades, he actually prayed for them to die because his pride had been hurt. In addition to the previously mentioned character flaws, one could argue that Achilles was also a kidnapper, rapist and murderer. Briseis herself was a love-slave. She was taken as a spoil of war from one of the Greeks previous successful military campaigns. Even if she went willingly and made love to Achilles willingly, it would be absolutely ludicrous to think that all of his other love-slaves (he had many) had such a â€Å"good† time. No one likes to beShow MoreRelatedCharacteristics Of A Hero In The Illiad979 Words   |  4 Pagesthoughts on heroes. When it comes to The Illiad by Homer, one of the biggest things focused on is the image of the hero. Homer never directly gives the answer to the question â€Å"What makes a good hero?†, but he does write about many heroes, and through the writings it is easy to pick up what qualities make a good hero. It is also made clear what qualities can be the downfall of the hero. So what qualities are seen throughout the bo ok? Positive qualities of a hero would be that they are brave, and theyRead MoreThe Heroic Code1182 Words   |  5 Pagesdecisions often affect the lives of others as well. They need the heroic code to guide them in their decision making. In this essay, I will describe the heroic code and share its applications in the stories of Beowulf, Gilgamesh and Noah, and The Illiad, as well as my other personal experiences. I will start with the story of The Man of La Mancha, which is a play based on the story of Don Quixote. In this story, you have a rather deranged man on a quest to become a knight. In order to become aRead MoreAchilles, Aeneas, and Roland979 Words   |  4 Pagesinsecure days, people would tell oral stories of great heroes, like those of Achilles, Aeneas, and Roland. Achilles was a Greek war hero who fights in the Trojan War, a ten year long war between Greece and Troy (present day Turkey). Aeneas was an epic hero in ancient Roman folklore. He was a soldier who fought in the Trojan War and after surviving the destruction of Troy, he later founded the city of Rome. Roland was an epic hero of the Franks, a Germanic tribe in present day France. All three of theseRead MoreHeroes of the Ages1130 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the ages, there have been many epic heroes in which we hear about through stories. However, there is a rather common question of what makes them an epic hero. No t only do humans look for the bravery and good deeds in a hero, but they go deeper than that. They wish to know what lies beneath the skin. Literally, what makes them act the way they do. Psychologically speaking, there is no sure way to tell why each person acts the way they do. However, what people can analyze is the actionsRead MoreAchilles : Achilles And Duryodhana Essay1294 Words   |  6 PagesWorld Literature 26 October 2016 Achilles and Duryodhana Analysis A quick comparison between the characters Achilles in the Iliad and Duryodhana in the Mahabharata suggests that they are extremely similar. Both characters are hard-headed, full of pride, and their eventual demises both occur because of a certain weakness in their invulnerability related to their mothers’ oversight. At closer glance, one notices that while they share many traits, the role Achilles plays is much different from Duryodhana’sRead MoreEssay about Heroic Code in the Iliad and the Odyssey979 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Iliad and the Odyssey In Websters Dictionary, a hero is defined as a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of purpose, especially if this individual has risked or sacrificed his life. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, the code which administers the conduct of the Homeric heroes is a straightforward idea. The aim of every hero is to achieve honor. Throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey, different characters take on the role of a hero. Honor is essential to the Homeric heroes, so much thatRead More Comparing the Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Iliad Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesThe Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad    One and the same lot for the man who hangs back and the man who battles hard. The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death, the fighter who shirks, the one who works to exhaustion. (IX,385-88) Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetrys greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. EventuallyRead MoreAchilles Heros Journey Essay1117 Words   |  5 PagesJanelle Fanelli Professor Probert ENGL 2800 September 7 2017 Achilles and Gilgamesh on a Journey The two Homeric epics, the Illiad and The Epic of Gilgamesh, both contain a Hero’s Journey. They show the readers a look into heroic life during the time of the Trojan War. Achilles and Gilgamesh’s Heroic Journeys are not identical, however the characteristics and qualities of them is what holds the similarities. The two characters have a compelling outlook on death, and immortality. They seek differentRead MoreThe Code Of Honor In The Iliad And The Odyssey1684 Words   |  7 PagesIn Webster’s Dictionary, a hero is defined as a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of purpose, especially if this individual has risked or sacrificed his life. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, the code which administers the conduct of the Homeric heroes is a straightforward idea. The aim of every hero is to achieve honor. Throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey, different characters take on the role of a hero. Honor is essential to the Homeric heroes, so much that life would be m eaningless withoutRead MoreThe Bronze And Iron Age Essay2093 Words   |  9 Pageswhich is weariness, and tin with it and valuable gold and silver and thereafter set forth upon its standard the great anvil, and gripped â€Å". The poems of Illiad depict the seige of the city of Ilion or Troy during the Trojan War. The word Illiad itself means something concerned with Ilion. Illion was the city based in the state of Troy. When Illiad was created, is arguable. Some scholars are adamant that it was written around the 8th - 9th century, while some debate it must have been written during

Domestic Violence A Pattern Of Violent Behavior

Domestic Violence is a pattern of violent behavior in any relationship. Domestic violence usually occurs in the home with a spouse, partner or loved one. Although, usually violent, domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. Domestic violence is usually someone trying to gain and maintain control of another. Abusers can use fear, guilt, shame, intimidation, threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. It may seem rare for some people, such as, celebrities, singers and actresses, but it literally can happen to anyone. Domestic violence should never be tolerated. In this paper I will talk about the singer Rihanna experiencing domestic violence. I will talk about what happened, how she got help, how the domestic violence impacted her and who her abuser was. Rhianna is Barbadian singer and song writer. She gets her â€Å"Barbadian† singer t itle because she grew up in the Barbados. Her songs consist of pop, dance and RB lyrics. In 2005, Rihanna released her first album and in 2008, she won her first Grammy Award recognizing her as a pop icon. According to, Wikipedia, â€Å"Many of her songs rank among the world s best-selling singles of all time, including the singles Umbrella, Take a Bow, Disturbia, Only Girl (In the World), SM, We Found Love, Diamonds, and Stay in which she is the lead artist, and her collaborations LiveShow MoreRelatedLong-Term Consequences of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence948 Words   |  4 PagesConsequences of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence Abstract: Domestic violence effects everybody in a family. Patterns of abuse from one parent to another, between both parents or directed toward a child all have a composite effect of inflicting potentially severe emotional damage upon the child. The research outlined here identifies domestic violence as a serious sociological problem and consequently provides a usable definition of domestic violence for the present study. This is followedRead MoreDomestic Violence : The Horrific Effects Of Abuse1464 Words   |  6 PagesDOMESTIC VIOLENCE: The Horrifying Effects of Abuse â€Å"To those who abuse: the sin yours, the crime is yours, and the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: blaming the victims only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse. Stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest†¦Ã¢â‚¬  These are the words of an individual who sees too clearly the injustice which comes with domestic violence toward women. The United States government estimates one in every four women willRead MoreThe Violence Of Domestic Violence954 Words   |  4 PagesCycle of Violence in Domestic Violence As stated by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, â€Å"domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviors and tactics used by one person over another (by or to any household member) to gain power and control. This may include verbal abuse, financial abuse, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse.† (The Official Website of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.) Domestic abuse frequently becomes more often andRead MoreTaking a Look at Domestic Violence Essays1018 Words   |  5 PagesDomestic violence is when an intimate partner, such as a spouse or a person you cohabit with; physical, sexually or psychologically abuses you. Abusers come from all different types of backgrounds. Domestic Violence affects all races, ethnicities and genders. It occurs in dating relationships, in marriages, in heterosexual relationships, and in homosexual relationships. However, it is more common among women, 1of 50 women ages 16 to 24 are victims of intimate violence, and 10 times as many womenRead MoreCauses and Effects of Violence in Children Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pagesrate between children and violence is increasing. In fact, the article Children and Violence states that as many as 10 million children per year may witness or be victims of violence in their home, schools, or communities across the United States. Childhood exposure to violence has a huge overwhelming impact on children’s development, affect emotional growth, cognitive development, physical health, and school performances. This increase in children’s exposure to violence suggests that more childrenRead MoreDomestic Violence And Its Effects On Our Society Essay1456 Words   |  6 Pageslong-term consequences. This is especially true of how domestic violence is currently governed by the criminal justice system and social norms. A lack of preventative care exists and this ignores the consequences of domestic violence in our society. Incidents of domestic violence are often treated as one-time or isolated occurrences; however, in many cases abusers and victims fall back into these learnt behaviors. Therefore, domestic violence is a never-ending cycle that cannot be stopped withoutRead MoreResearch Proposal- Alcohol Abuse Leads to Domestic Violence1471 Words   |  6 PagesDetermining whether Alcohol abuse leads to Domestic Violence Abstract This study seeks to analyze and examine the effects that alcohol abuse may have on domestic violence cases. The main goal of this study is to determine whether or not alcohol or alcohol abuse really has an affect on people and if it causes domestic violence or not. This study will be helpful in many ways and instances and it will help those who are still wondering whether or not these to completely different socialRead MoreThe Effects Of Domestic Violence On Children Essay1383 Words   |  6 PagesLieberman (2007) the goal was to determine if domestic violence leads to functioning shortfalls, and what its effects it has on a child’s behavioral and cognitive functioning. In homes where domestic violence happens, young children are more likely to witness violence than older children. It was hypothesized that children who witnessed violence at home had lower verbal capabilities, and would display greater internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Participants in this study included 62 preschoolersRead MoreThe Breakable Vow835 Words   |  4 PagesNo country or society can claim to be free of domestic violence; it cuts across boundaries of culture, class, education, income, ethnicity and age. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior in which one person attempts to control another through threats or actual use of physical violence, sexual assault, and verbal or psychological abuse. No one should become implicated in domestic violence relationships. There is a repeating cycle of violence in the relationship, the abuse involved is horrificRead MoreBattered Women Syndrome1311 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic violence is often perceived as males projecting physical abuse to female victims which overlooks the psychological abuse that they also experience (Carlson and Worden, 2005). Jill is a domestic violence survivor who filed a restraining order against her husband. Jill remained with her husband despite being abused bec ause she felt threatened to leave the relationship. Her behavior triggered battered-women syndrome. Battered- women syndrome refers to the male batter’s violent behavior patterns

Should Governments Sponsor Gambling Free Essays

Should Governments Sponsor Gambling? The government is now sponsoring gambling to raise revenues. By 2002 government-sponsored gambling brought in 11 billion dollars! â€Å"Winning means a life of luxury and happiness,† is only one of the many slogans the government uses to advertise gambling. Gambling has a lot of pros as to the economy and employing more citizens but it has a lot of cons as well. We will write a custom essay sample on Should Governments Sponsor Gambling? or any similar topic only for you Order Now Should governments sponsor gambling? The answer is no! Governments should not sponsor gambling because it is a total money grab, it feeds gambling addictions, and it destroys families and exploits Canadian citizens. Gambling can be an expensive waste of time. Gambling is a complete money grab. Statistics show that the average household spends about $300 per year on gaming. The chances of winning the lottery are slim to none. The government promise a greater life if you win, but with chances that are extremely low, it is highly unrealistic. Gambling is a form of entertainment that gives you hope for something. This can be dangerous as it can lead to over spending or dull judgement. Alcohol is mostly always associated with gambling. This can add to the high expense and even sway your choice to spend more and more. Many people say that the government should not sponsor an activity that can be strongly addictive. Statistics show that 3. 1 percent of Ontario’s population are Problem gamblers. â€Å"Ontario derives a huge portion of it’s gaming revenue from problem gambler’s. Therefore, government-sponsored gambling is contrary to the interest of the general populace, and therefore contrary to the purpose of the government. † Robert Williams, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, November 2004 . Government sponsored gambling feeds an unhealthy addiction that many people can have. These addictions can lead to theft and even suicide. Gambling is just like any other addiction, it completely takes over the person’s life. This can affect your family and marriage. Always being at the slots or casino’s funded by the government can make you lose quality time with your family. It can financially hurt you and hurt your family in the long run. Government-sponsored gambling is causing problems with your person life. It will exploit you for more and more money. It constantly brain washes you with it’s advertisement of the amazing times you will have and how much better your life will be. This is not true. These people chase their losses by risking more money, thinking that somehow persistence will pay off. It rarely does. They suffer from depression, anxiety, financial and family breakdown. Governments should not sponsor gambling. It is a big money grab, it is highly addictive, and it can tear apart families. Gambling has an ill affect towards canadian citizens. The government says gambling is a form of entertainment. With such a low chance of winning, how is loosing money fun? In gambling, many people inherit a sense of hope. The small chance that you might win and go out with more money than you came with. This is an unlogical probability but, everyone is driven by this hope that they might win. Gambling does bring a lot of jobs and boosts our economy, but the problem to balance responsible gambling with generating profits to the economy. Impossible maybe but, better efforts have to be made so that gambling doesn’t take over canadians. How to cite Should Governments Sponsor Gambling?, Essay examples