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Achilles’ Anger and Unreconciliation: Reassessing the Concepts of Mortality and Honor The subject of Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad, is very clearly stated--it is “the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles.” The reader remains continually aware of the extent of Achilles’ rage, yet is never told the reason why Achilles remains angry and unreconciled. ... Achilles is not a static character. ... To find an answer, the reader must carefully examine Achilles’ ever-changing dilemma involving the concepts of mortality and honor. At its simplest, Achilles’ dilemma is that if he goes to war, he will die. ... Achilles’ true nature is that of a warrior. ... By book IX, material wealth is no longer what Achilles wants. ... However, at this point Achilles still does not know what he wants. Pride and stubbornness still supplement his rage, but now his anger appears to be a manifestation of his fear and confusion—“Stop confusing my fixed resolve with this…” (IX. ... Achilles knows that he wants honor and glory, but in what form? What Achilles does know, and what he must deal with, is the fact that his life will be short if he chooses to have honor and glory. ... It is inevitable that Achilles will choose door #2--to go to war, live a short life, and have much glory. ... Achilles is waiting to go to war, but he must have the right reasons and inspiration. At the end of book IX, after the embassy has conveyed Agamemnon’s offers, Achilles still remains angry and unreconciled. Agamemnon’s offers of wealth and material possessions are not the incentives to inspire Achilles to fight.
Approximate Word count = 1316
Approximate Pages = 5.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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