Examples Of Heroism In The Iliad

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Heroes are not perfect, but they always show honorable and moral characteristics that firmly define their heroic nature. In The Iliad, the author, Homer, describes a journey of the Trojans and Achaeans in a battle over a young girl named Helen. In this journey, different heroes find creative ways to display their characteristics – whether good or bad – in battle, death, or prayer. Virtues are not just the traits of a person; a true hero represents heroism in their actions, too. Throughout Homer’s epic poem, true heroism is displayed in almost all of the characters. One character, Hector, shows heroism in his virtues and actions through combat and death. While Hector is a fierce warrior fighting on the Trojan side, he does have a few flaws, …show more content…
He shows courage through both fighting the Achaean troops and protecting the city of Troy. When fighting the Achaeans, Hector and his army drive the Achaeans back to their ships and Hector sets fires to keep the Greeks from escaping. To show his perseverance, he refuses to let the Trojans retreat from battle, even after a bad omen is dropped among the soldiers. In addition, he shows his strength by shattering one of the Achaean gates with a large boulder and later, with the help of the Trojan army, drives the Greeks back to their own camp. Near the end of Hector’s life, he shows his determination in protecting Troy by standing firm in front of Troy’s gates with an incensed Achilles racing towards him. His father, Priam, pleaded with him, begging him to protect himself: “’Oh Hector! Don’t just stand there, don’t, dear child, waiting that man’s attack…’” (Homer 542). And his mother pleaded, “’Hector, my child! Look—have some respect for this!…don’t go forth, a champion pitted against him…’” (Homer 544). Despite their pleas, neither could “shake the fixed resolve of Hector,” nor pull him away from the city gates (Homer 544). Even though Hector may have had some contrary virtues, like standing in front of the city gates against his parents’ wishes, his courage in the Trojan War kept the battle against the Achaeans strong until Hector’s
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