Both Hector and Achilles are noble warriors. These two men are skilled in the ways of war and the politics surrounding war. These brave warriors are considered by many to be heroes, but they both have the same driving flaw. This flaw shared by many other heroes of the Illiad, is the reason I see these two men as cursed, not heroic.

In the beginning of the Illiad, Agamemnon has been counseled by the seer to return the priests daughter to him at once. Agamemnon will not give up his prize with out receiving compensation for his loss. "But fetch me another prize, and straight off too, else I alone of the Argives go without my honor." (Homer 81) With this Achilles points out that all the "plunder" has been portioned out. Agamemnon replies with hostility. He threatens to take Briseus, Achilles own prize. This enrages Achilles. He verbally assaults Agamemnon, "Shameless- armored in shamelessness-always shrewd

Only after the death of Patroclus at the hands of Hector will Achilles return to the battle lines. In book XVI Nestor's son relays the news of Patroclus to Achilles. "Patroclus has fallen. They're fighting over his corpse. He's stripped, naked--Hector with that flashing helmet, Hector has your arms." (Homer 468) Achilles is stricken with grief. He will avenge the death of his comrade at the hand of Hector. He shows himself at the broad trench. He will return to the battle, his grief and longing for revenge overpowering his broken pride.

Andromache is well aware that her husbands pride will be his downfall. "Pity me, please! Take your stand on the rampart here...draw your armies up." (Homer 210) Hector responds to her with, "But I would die of shame to face the men of Troy and the Trojan women...if I would shrink from battle now a coward." He is determined to save face in the eyes of the people of Troy. His honor must not be questioned. He is after all a proud man. In book XXII Hectors mother and Father plead with him to retreat into the city. "Beat back that savage man from safe inside the walls!" (Homer 544) Hector could not be persuaded. "No way out. If I slip inside the gates and walls, Polydamas will be first to heap disgrace on me." (Homer 544) The night before Hectors death, Polydamas urged Hector to lead the Trojans to Ilium. The very night Achilles reappeared. "But did I give way? Not at all...Now my army's ruined, thanks to my own reckless

Some common words found in the essay are:
Achilles Patroclus, Hector Achilles', Agamemnon Shameless-, Briseus Achilles, Ajax Odysseus, XXII Hectors, Hector Achilles, Trojans Ilium, Illiad Agamemnon, Reckless Hector--your, pride hector, refusal fight, hector achilles, ajax odysseus, return battle, achilles' pride, briseus achilles, homer 544, book vi, achilles rage,
Approximate Word count = 999
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)