Understanding the Word

                So today I am to choose a hero from the Iliad. Well, what’s a hero anyway?

Hero is defined as:

Let these definitions be our basis of picking the character that shows heroism the best. 

Let’s start with Achilles. Achilles is one of the main character in the story and is known as the best warrior in the Achaian army. Everyone knows that no one can fight him one on one. So this adds him 2 hero points. Obviously, he is not a model or an ideal. A warrior must fight for his army in any of the circumstances. He only thinks of himself and fights only for his glory. His selfishness makes him less a hero.

               

'Odysseus' From http://www.rml2.nl/

                Next is Odysseus, he is also a main character and is known as the best strategist in the whole world. There is a time in the story that he is surrounded by a lot of Trojans, rather than running away like a coward he faced his enemies and he survived. So he is a model for bravery,  a skillful man and a main protagonist. This makes him a good candidate for heroism.

                Third is Aias the Great, a main character and is known for his muscularity. He once retreated from his attack in order to return to the ships and drive the Trojans away. In his retreat, Trojans are already mobbing him, but he didn’t care for them for he knows that the ships are more important. So here is our second good candidate, Aias.

                Fourth, Menelaus, a main character and is the husband of Helen. Not much details of strength and courage or nobility is known from this guy. Let us drop him from the rolls.

                Fifth is Diomedes, a main character and one of the killing machines of the Achaian army. He is feared by the Trojans for they can see that he holds such brute strength. Some lines suggest that he is wise for his young age. He is another good candidate for heroism.

'Diomedes' from http://www.mlahanas.de/

                Sixth is Paris, a main character and one of the causes of the war. He prioritized his love much than his role as a prince of his country.  He is may be responsible of what he have done, but it is still a flaw in his personality. Only a bit of a chance for Paris…

                Last to be cited is Hector, a main character and the proud leader of the Trojan army. He is a good father and also a good husband. He is patriotic and is ready to die for his country. He is indeed a model for every each of the Trojan soldiers. He knows how to sacrifice and he holds a lot of principles in life. Trojans even consider him as a demigod. He is the most competitive candidate.

                So we are now to choose between, Odysseus, Aias, Diomedes, Paris and Hector. They are all equal, in terms of strength and courage so we will judge them by their contribution to the story. Odysseus is good but only few lines suggest that he shows a good personality. He lacks exposure. Aias is the same as Odysseus, they both lack exposure. Diomedes is a star at the first chapters but is eventually given less roles at the latter part, roles that shows less of his heroism. Paris’ reputation is already shattered by his adultery; this makes him lose my pick. Hector shows a lot of virtues and is present in a lot of chapters in the story even after his death.

               

                And the winner will be… Hector! He is the one that shows heroism at its best. Almost all lines in his role are expressing his heroism. How he decided from his family affairs, how he led the war, how he fought and how the people look at him. All of this pertains to him to be a hero.

'Hector' from http://www.etab.ac-caen.fr/