A hero is usually of noble birth with one parent being of divine descent. However, Hector is an exception to this rule. It is believed that Hector is the 1st born son of King Priam and Queen Hecabe of Troy. Since Priam is a descendant of Zeus, this divine lineage is passed down to all his sons. Therefore, Prince Hector is considered to be of divine decent which allows him to be regarded as a hero.

In Hector's speech about his son Astynax, the reader gains invaluable insight into what it means to be a hero:

Zeus, and you other gods, grant that t

The epic poem, the Iliad, is filled with many great warriors, but the most notable hero is Hector, with Odysseus, Diomedes, and Nestor as runners up. Each one of these characters demonstrates the Homeric ideal of excellence. They are of great nobility, not only because of their lineage, but also because of their intelligence, leadership skills, and glory on the battlefield. Each hero motivates his men in battle and encourages them to fight with great courage to gain honour. Throughout the poem, Hector displays physical prowess, bravery, strength, and glory in battle, which makes him the true hero of the Iliad. Although Odysseus, Nestor, and Diomedes do not display heroic qualities to the same extent that Hector does, they clearly display many characteristics that constitute a hero.

stay in their advanced position by the ships, or to go back into the town, after their

By putting forth these brave and potentially devastating plans, Nestor proves his heroic quality through good and wise advice.

May people say, when he comes back from battle, "Here is a better man

Odysseus is an experienced, wise leader. He also distinguishes himself by valour and wisdom, suggesting that the "men rather take some food and wine by the ships- their courage and strength depend on nourishment" rather than Achilles' plan of storming the battlements. Wise Odysseus' plan is better because he is thinking ahead. Men who are hungry and tired will fail at their task, "but when a man has had his fill of wine and food...he can carry on with a high heart and unflagging strength..." until the end of the battle. Odysseus utilises his strength and his powers of persuasion as his weapons of war.

enemy he has killed, and make his mother happy.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1630
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)