Pride Tragic Flaw or Heroic Trait, Mythology, College Term Papers.com


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Pride Tragic Flaw or Heroic Trait

Pride Tragic Flaw or Heroic Trait In many modern works, such as Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, pride is tragic flaw, and the undoing of great heroes. However, in Homer’s The Iliad, It is not clear as to whether pride is a trait to loathe or to love. Substantial arguments can be made on both sides, since both the hero Achilleus who ultimately is a victor, and the hero Hektor, who eventually loses his life both posses a desire for honor and glory. Homer uses these two characters to contrast the effects of pride on the hero and their respective outcomes. Achilleus desire for honor is evident to us in the first chapter of the book. His refusal to fight after being dishonored by Agamemnon influences the events for the entire beginning of the novel. Achilleus sits by the waterside and weeps for his hurt feelings, and action we would never expect from a modern day hero Homer illustrates the severity of this injury when he includes the action of Achilleus sitting by the waterside crying, and then pleading to his mother. This action, which a reader would never expect from a great warrior and hero, simply emphasizes the intensity of Achilleus pride. Much later in the epic, Agamemnon sends ambassadors to beg for Achilleus’ help, we see the destructive side of his actions. Phoinix warns Achilleus, that while not directly or immediately influencing him, his actions could lead to his own demise (book 9). Phoinix tells of Meleagros, a man who is insulted and then refuses to fight until necessity knocks on his door. By the time Meleagros chooses to fight, he receives no honor for his actions. Ironically, Meleagros’ wife is Kleopatra, a name that has the same meaning as Patroklos. Homer uses Phoinix’s story to foreshadow Achelleus’ actions later in the book. Even though Phoinix’s point is that Achilleus should not wait until the last minute to come help his friends, another meaning comes through the narrative. Just as Meleagros wouldn’t help his own people until Kleopatra was in danger, Achilleus pride prevents him from helping the Achaians until Patroklos’ death provokes his anger. In both situations, the loved ones had been endangered due to the character’s decision to hold out from fighting. A decision motivated by hurt feelings. After reciting Agamemnon’s speech to Achilleus, Odysseus chooses to change the last words spoken by Agamemnon from asking Achilleus submission to asking to “take pity on all the other Achaians, who…will honor you as a god.” (book 9 302-303) Homer includes this action by Odysseus to show how the dishonor that Achilleus has been brooding on for nine books still exists, and hasn’t changed. It brings to present the reasons that Achilleus still chooses to sit aside from his friends and not fight, though he knows they are struggling with out him. During the battle in Book Ten Achilleus is watching the battle from his ships. However, he still chooses not to fight, and even when he sees a friend who is injured he refuses to come down and see what’s wrong. Instead, he sends his companion Protroklos to try and make up for his holding back. When Achilleus’ actions only hurt those around him, Hektor’s pride, which unlike Achilleus’ is not obvious when he is first introduced. Only books later, do his choices lead to his own undoing. Hektor pride makes its first major manifestation in Book Seven when Hektor challenges an Achaian warrior to a duel. When Aias came forward, Hekor’s “heart beats hard in his breast,” (book 7, line 216) and he was afraid, because “he in his pride,” had made the mistake of making a challenge he didn’t know if he could uphold. His momentary lack of judgement due to pride almost caused his death. Later, in Book Twelve, Hektor also makes a poor choice due to pride. The battle is going so well in favor of the Trojans, and Hektor is being given so much glory by Zeus, that he ignores and omen. His companion Poulydamas advises him on the meaning of the omen and urges Hektor to quit the attempt to burn the Achaian ships. However, Hektor ignores this, caught up in the moment of glory asking Poulydamas, “Why are you so afraid of war and hostility?” (book 12, 244) This comment is ironic coming from Hektor since it contrasts with his conversation in Book Six with his wife Andromache where he expresses his desire to stay with his wife and child. When Hektor receives too much success in the battle his rational is lowered by his pride. Hektor has a choice to fight or not to fight. If he does not fight the Greeks will conquer his people. However, Hektor knows that eventually the city of Troy will be conquered either way. He still fights because if he does not, he would be a shame to his people. Even though Hektor still believes that the Trojans will eventually lose, he will not stay with his family for “[he] would feel deep shame before the Trojans…if like a coward [he] were to shrink aside from the fighting” (book 6, 441). For Hektor, the choice to battle is to prevent shame. In contrast, Achilleus does not fear the death and scolding of his comrades, but chooses not to battle until he receives honor. Achilleus also has a choice, but, unlike Hektor’s choice, his is not so clear. Both men must choose between not fighting and living and or fighting and dying, but Achilleus knows his choice is either he can be honored and praised, or he can live a full peaceful life. He knows that “[he carries] two sorts of destiny toward the day of [his] death. (book 9, 411)” If he chooses honor he will soon die but if he chooses to leave he will have a long life. His choice is difficult, because even though he instinctually wants to live, his pride keeps him desiring for fame and glory. Homer shows us through conversation between Hektor and his wife that Hektor is not so concerned with the glory he will receive by fighting but the shame, the opposite of pride, that will occur if he does not fight. The story told by Phoinix to inspire Achilleus to fight applies to Hektor also. However, Hektor makes the opposite choice from Achilleus. Hektor has the choice of shutting himself inside the walls of Troy with his wife, especially since the war is his brother Alexandros’ fault and not his. However, Hektor decides to fight, not just to protect his comrades, but also because he understands that if he waits until the Greeks are ready to invade his personal space, he will only be fighting for his life, and will be looked down upon for waiting so long, just as Phoinix suggests will happen to Achilleus. Both tragic heroes are motivated by their desire to achieve honor and glory, and by their characteristic of pride. However, the effects of this trait are different for the two. Hektor is blinded when he is overcome by sparatic moments of arrogance and engagers himself and his people. Achilleus is so consumed by his emotion of pride that it motivates all his actions and choices. While this gives him honor and glory, just like Hektor it also is the definite path to the end of his life. Bibliography:

Word Count: 1233