The Tragic Hero of the Trojan War by Jada

The Tragic Hero of the Trojan War by Jada - October 2021 Scholarship Essay

The character I have learned the most from is Achilles from various sources, most prominently Homer’s The Iliad. Achilles, the tragic hero of Trojan War, known as “the greatest of all Greeks” for his power in war and his invulnerability. He was the son of Thetis, a nereid (water goddess), and Peleus, the king of Phthia. Despite being commonly renowned as a hero and remembered for his strength in battle I would argue that perhaps he was the sufferer of the most poignant Grecian tragedy. From the beginning of his life to the end he was bound by the shackles of destiny written by the fates, never truly given the benefits of free will. He was bound by his power, born to be a cog in the cycle of war, it was what he was raised for. The things he loved had to be thrown aside to fulfill his destiny, in his foolish struggle for glory in such a futile life, could you truly blame a person for such a decision if it was all that they knew? All which they were destined to?

Throughout many sources it has been debated whether Achilles was truly invincible, nevertheless, I believe the theme of his invulnerability, even if not literally true, plays a large role in shaping his character, he was seen as untouchable. This notion pushed him from birth, made him strive for glory, filling him with hubris and the potential for wrath, both of which were his biggest downfall. His lust for glory ended up blinding him, leading him to abandon what he cared about and that led to wrath. The wrath which fulfilled the prophecy of demise, enshrined in glory but heartbroken. To die young with glory or live long in obscurity.

“He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.” Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles. From birth the prophecy followed him, he was always meant to be a warrior, a hero, even if it meant losing everything he truly cared about. While contentious, his relationship with Patroclus is one of the most heart-breaking things about his character. Patroclus was his lifelong friend, whom he was believed to be romantically involved with. In the events of the Trojan War he used Achilles’ armor to impersonate him in battle, he killed many Trojans and in return his wits were stripped by Apollo in battle, leading to his death at the hands of Hector. This led Achilles to fall into a state of both depression and wrath, killing hector and fulfilling the prophecy of his death.

Ultimately, learning about his story led me to learn a few different lessons. Firstly, do not prioritize glory or selfish gains over the people you care about and lastly, do not be led to fall to what you believe is fate. If you believe you cannot change an aspect of your life you will never have the opportunity to change it.