Inevitable Fate Of Achilleus

3 Pages 677 Words

To become honourable, one must show their courage, strength, stamina and leadership. Thus honour, also known as timç, is most commonly gained on the battlefield and is a virtue amongst the mortals in Homeric society. When Achilleus was given a choice of destiny, he chose the short victorious life that was full of individual honour. Achilleus later withdraws himself from the battle, knowing full well that he will lose his timç. However, despite Achilleus’ attempt to dismiss personal honour, his fate of living an honourable life is inevitable.
After being dishonoured by Agamemnon, Achilleus withdraws himself from the battle. Achilleus, who is considered the greatest warrior, acknowledges the fact that withdrawing himself from battle means that he will lose his chance to become honorable. This is understood when he says “I carry two sorts of destiny toward my day of death. Either, if I stay here and fight beside the city of the Trojans, my return here is gone, but my glory shall be everlasting; but if I return home to the beloved land of my fathers, the excellence of my glory is gone, but there will be a long life left for me, and my death will not come to me quickly. ” (Il. 9.412-416). Although Agamemnon displays his regret by offering many gifts, Achilleus still avoids the battle, thus avoiding an honourable life. However, Achilleus fails to realize that he has already chosen his destiny: to live a short life, with everlasting glory (Il.1.416).
Dishonourment, combined with lack of ambition, is what ultimately drives Achilleus to avoid the battle.
“From all [the cities we sacked] we took treasures, goodly and numerous, and we would bring them back, and give them to Agamemnon, Atreus’ son; while he, waiting back beside the swift ships, would take them, and distribute them little by little, and keep many. All the other prizes of honur he gave the great men and the princes are held fast by them, but from me alon...