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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page analysis of the concluding book, Book 24, of Homer's epic poem the Iliad. The writer argues that Achilles' relinquishing of Hector's body to his father signals his maturation as a human being. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khbk24.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
of his friend Patroclus. Rather than allow Hector to have a decent burial, Achilles drags the body around Patroclus tomb. In this final chapter of the epic poem, Achilles learns
to accept the will of the gods and, in so doing, reacquires his humanity and his compassion. Having shown the development of Achilles to this understanding, Homer ends his epic
on a moral note. This book of the Iliad opens with the Achaeans returning to their ships to dine and sleep, while Achilles is still vehemently mourning his lost friend,
recalling their experiences together and punishing the body of Hector. Achilles forgoes sleep, weeps constantly, and has dragged the body of Hector three-times around the tomb of Patroclus. The scene
switches to the reaction of the gods toward Achilles behavior and his treatment of Hectors body. Many of the gods pity Hector. Apollo, for example, defends Hector and berates the
Poseidon, Athena and Hera for their unyielding hatred of the Trojans. Apollo says that Achilles is like a "savage lion" as he has "flung aside all pity" and all conscience"
(Homer, Book XXIV). Apollo points out that it is humanitys lots to lose "still dearer companions than Achilles has," and that there should be a limit to sorrow, arguing that
Achilles grief offends the gods. Hera argues that since Achilles is the son of the a goddess, he deserves more honor than Hector, but Zeus sides with Apollo and
indicates that he feels that Hector deserves mercy. Because Achilles is mortal, it is argued that it is unseemly for him to forgo human necessities. He should eat, sleep, love
and give up his laments, which keep him from functioning in the real world. A plan is arranged for Priam, Hectors father, to offer a ransom for Hectors body and
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