Bonus Blog:The Real Epic's Hero

A Real Hero

What is a Hero? A hero is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength or the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem. In the story of the Iliad, Achilles may be considered as the real hero in the story because of his will, power, and bravery. According to other people they consider him as the ‘one’ too. But to me he isn’t. Achilles probably stands out from the story because he is not the one who needs to defend his homeland. But Hector does. Hector is sympathetic and he is the most liked warrior because of his many victories during fights. Also, he showed his love for his nation and his family. He can be a good warrior and at the same time a very good and loving father/husband also. His time consumed in fighting will replenish because of his loving family. In chapter six, when he was about to go and engage into the war, he bids Andromache and his son goodbye to battle the Achaeans and his first opponent there, Ajax. Hector has killed many warriors in the story and it contributed to the Trojans. The Heroism of Hector was also shown when Achilles killed him, making the whole city mourn. Because of this tragedy, Hector became my choice as the epic’s hero.

I end my bonus blog post  with a quote from Hector

" So now I meet my doom. Well let me die--but not without struggle, not without glory, no, in some great clash of arms that even men to come will hear of down the years! " 

"The Death of Hector"

Chapter Zero: My Last Iliad Blog With a Twist

" If you were to change one event or chapter from the Iliad, and replace it with your own story, what chapter or episode will that be?

Write your “version” of the story.

Narrate how it will affect the entire story or ending of the Iliad. "

If I can change one part or chapter in The Iliad, I would probably remove the part where Paris will kidnap/steal Helen from Menelaus, or even the part when Aphrodite shows Paris the apple. The anger of Menelaus from the third chapter will be the trigger for a greater and more devastating war between the Trojans and the Achaeans. But if I would be able to change one of the first parts of the book, it might change the whole story. If Paris would live as a normal warrior, and did not take Helen, there would probably still be war but, it won’t be as hellish as the normal story. Maybe, the war would end quickly and the Gods would retain their ‘fairness’ because in the normal story, they interfere from time to time just to help their favored city. In my story, there would still be unfairness with the Gods, but it will be minimized, because the war won’t last long, and Achilles would be a double crossing man helping the Achaeans first then the Trojans afterwards. Although Achilles would play a big part in my story ( just as he did in the original Iliad ), he will die in the end after realizing he double crossed each army. The war would bring peace to each army afterwards because they will realize that there is no purpose for war thus, increasing the peace rate in ancient Greece. Menelaus will still be Helen’s ONLY husband but Hector kills him, hence, enraging Agamemnon and sends Hector into the Fires of Hell ( kills him ). But then, the double crossing Achilles ( still alive in this chapter ) kills his former mate, and Achilles is the only great warrior alive. In the ending, Zeus gave Achilles the GUILT in betraying the two armies, giving him the weakness in  the foot specifically near the heel. He gets shot with an arrow then dies. The ending is really ironic because even if they engaged into war, they would be sister cities afterwards imposing peace and order. END.

Sing, goddess, of Achilles' ruinous anger
Which brought ten thousand pains to the Achaeans,
And cast the souls of many stalwart heroes
To Hades, and their bodies to the dogs
And birds of prey.

The Iliad
First lines, Book 1.

But you, once he slashed away your life with his brazen spear
He dragged you time and again around his comrade's tomb.
Patroclus whom you killed - not that he brought Patroclus
Back to life by that. But I have you with me now...
Fresh as the morning dew you lie in the royal halls
Like one whom Apollo, lord of the silver bow,
Has approached and shot to death with gentle shafts.

The Iliad
886-892 Lines, Book 24

Zeus Does Have a Weakness After All

For the Greeks, the Gods are personalities with human failings. This is clearly seen in the character of Zeus in books 11-17. Cite some events that show Zeus' weaknesses. 

In books, 11-17, it is clearly shown that even the Gods have weaknesses. It is because even though they possess superior quality, they are still effigies. They are persons that have the corresponding weaknesses to. I never imagined gods with weaknesses specially the ones stated in the book. It was shown in the book that the god of gods, Zeus, has also the human weaknesses. He got even the simplest ones like seduction. It was in book 14 when Zeus showed something weird, and I’m going to talk about it in a while. Before these weird things happen Aphrodite first, gave Hera a tool ( a certain breast band ) for seduction and love because she is the ‘queen of all gods’. After visiting Aphrodite, Hera went to Sleep and asking a favor to lull Zeus until he sleeps. A thing Sleep agreed easily. Hera now, went to Mount Ida for her ‘seduction part’. He saw Zeus plainly looking at Troy. All of the plans made by Hera was because she wanted to help the Achaeans in war ( another weakness of gods, being unjust ). Sleep then, changed himself into a bird and hid in a tree. When Zeus now caught sight of Hera, the band, which Aphrodite gave, already took effect. It made Zeus attracted/seduced to Hera. Zeus made love to Hera and the plan of lulling Zeus took effect. It was the start of Hera’s helping plan against the Trojans. The seduction part was the clearest example of the weakness of the gods. It showed that even the god of gods really experience being vulnerable. He was tricked and because of this pulled by Hera; she was able to help the Achaeans as they charge the Trojans. This is kind of frustrating because an immortal one, the most powerful creature only fooled by his fellow god, his wife even. But the bottom line is, gods will be gods, although they have imperfections, it was destined I guess.

Bonus Blog: Words that Came from Achilles' Proud(?) Mouth

This line struck me because it has kind of the same issue with Hector in book 6. As we have discussed Hector was given two choices. One was to benefit him, and his family, and two that will benefit him and the whole Troy. Achilles also faced the same problem. To fight or not to fight. Both men know that cowardice may equal long life, but it also equals dishonor and disgrace to his own place. But Hector accepts this fact more readily than Achilles.

The Raging War and Achilles:One Big Coward or What?

' Wars do not only claim many lives but also spoil/destroy a man's character. Do you agree with this statement? Cite details from the book to prove your answer. '

The war is the waging of armed conflict against enemies. As we can see, the almost never-ending war of the Trojans versus the Achaeans caused too much pain and death to different soldiers and warriors. The pain caused not only reflects on the people that live in Greece, but also to the honorable Greek Gods. During the times where Trojans and Achaeans were seriously ripping each others’ flesh, the Gods in Mt. Olympus were also fighting. Taking sides in battle, helping the soldiers but not helping in achieving goodness. According to the question/header, I would really have to agree because they not only destroy each others’ lives physically, but they also destroy each other in a somewhat emotional manner. Why? Actually it is really because of the verbal abuse or something like as we call it ‘insult’. Insulting each other or betting for something/someone just for the sake of his own satisfaction. This is clearly stated in the part where Agamemnon was desperate to make Achilles fight in war. He was ready to give Achilles really expensive gifts and also Brisseis, the one Achilles loves. Also, this never-ending war does not run out of never-ending killings. From books 9 to 11, the killings started from the spying of Diomedes and Odysseus to the Thracian camp killing Dolon, the man Hector appointed to be a scout. After Diomedes and Odysseus killed Dolon, they also killed an additional 13, composed of 12 soldiers and a King named Rhesus. Moving to the war, another death was caused by Agamemnon. He killed the brother of a person named Coon, thus aggravating Coon wounds him, but kills Coon. Too much pain was caused during this bloodshed, maybe giving one side an opportunity to win and vice versa. Going back to the question, I really think that the highlight of this chapter was the confused Achilles. He does not know what to do, if he’ll go back to war, or go back to his place, in peace. I think that these 2 questions can really affect one’s probability in becoming honorable or a coward. These 2 can have different results. If you are to be brave and strong it’ll be a never-ending fight for supremacy and glory. But if you choose not to fight, you’ll be seen as coward. 

In Menelaus' Pleasure

I think, between Paris/Alexandros or Menelaus/Atreides, Menalaus is nobler. Why? It is because he really wants to fight fair. Also, there is a corresponding reward to whoever kills who. If Paris kills Menelaus, Helen and all the wealth would come to Paris. But if Menelaus kills Paris, likewise, all the wealth and Helen would be given to him. Also, I think Menelaus is more honorable because before his fight with Paris, he prayed to Zeus, although he kind of cursed Zeus after he got hit by a splinter saying “ O Father Zeus, such an unkind god as you there never was. You do spoil everything! I did think I had paid out that scoundrel, and here is my sword broken in my hand, and my spear missed and never touched him ”. Actually, although I think Menelaus’ more nobler, Paris is more sincere. It is because Menelaus only prayed for vengeance. And as we know Zeus, doesn’t take sides, because he is the most just among all Greek gods.

Well, according to the web, noble means baronial: impressive in appearance. That is why I have chosen Menelaus. He is more impressive and determined to kill his opponent. If you are in Menelaus’ seat you would surely be longing for vengeance. The one who kidnapped your beautiful wife is challenging you to a fight to death. From the parts which Menelaus was battling  Paris, they BOTH showed nobleness because of the almost great fight they have given each other until Aphrodite butts in and brings Paris to a bed.

Today, I think I can compare Menelaus to a broken hearted man who would do anything just to have his wife/girlfriend back. A certain someone who would kill just to redeem what is rightfully his. And Paris, I can compare him to some Muslim people who marries a random person. Even a person that he/she does not even know, and it was forced to do. I do not know a certain person like Menelaus in real life but in Television, I know one. From the ‘Teleserye’ “Noah”, Judah ( played by Joem Bascon ), is the Husband of Ruth ( Jodie Sta. Maria ) and would kill anyone who tries to get her away from him. Although Gabriel ( Piolo Pascual ) is the main character here, like Paris, he still wants Jodi. I think that should be a good example to a modern day Menelaus/Paris.

And so, I end my post with a clip from the movie Troy