Achilles: A Speaker of Words and a Doer of Deeds - Essay Example

Section/# A Speaker of Words and a Doer of Deeds In Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles is a character nuanced with the competing emotions of rage, homesickness, uncertainty, pride, and at times cowardice. As such, the interplay between these emotions and the primary needs which underlie them provide much of the character development of Achilles as it relates to The Iliad. Furthermore, in Book IX of The Iliad, Phoenix tells Achilles that he was entrusted with teaching him: “To be a speaker of words and a doer of deeds”. As such, it is the view of the author that Phoenix is attempting to coax Achilles from the comfort of his own lifestyle, thoughts, and worldview into one of action and determination; equally confident in both thought and action as well as being able and ready to expound upon these through taking part in the battle or relating his thoughts into actionable and definable words to expound to others. As such, this analysis will inspect the meaning of Phoenix’ advice as well as attempting to measure and ascertain the level of change that this advice evoked within Achilles by way of understanding his words and actions as well as his character development throughout the story. It is without question that for most of the work Achilles does not have an issue with being a speaker of words. However, oftentimes, the true intent and meaning behind what he wishes for is covered under the multiple meanings and implied content of his narrative. In other times, the words that Achilles speaks appear to serve the ulterior motive of encouraging him to abstain from a given action or to undertake a desired result. For instance, Achilles says, “Despite my anguish I will beat it down, the fury mounting inside me, down by force” (Homer 471). Later Achilles says, “It’s wrong to keep on raging, heart inflamed forever” (Homer 490). Still later, Achilles notes, “What’s good to be won from tears that chill the spirit” (Homer 605). Rather than serving to lend a clear insight into the motivations behind Achilles actions or inactions, as the case may be, these insights into his thought process lead the reader to understand there is an ongoing battle raging with respect to what he believes he should do and what he indeed wants to do. The fact remains that Achilles true inner thoughts and emotions can be adequately gauged by his spoken words; not necessarily transmitted in the beginning of the story into direct actions. For instance, Achilles says, “And now my prize you threaten in person to strip from me…I am returning to Phthia, since it is much better to go home…I am minded no longer to stay here dishonored…” (Homer 11). While the implied meaning is perfectly clear, the actions that went along with this vain threat were never carried out. As such, Achilles words can be viewed as a unique insight into the inner workings of his own character as it appears as if he oftentimes spoke his own thoughts and fears as well as concerns and grievances out loud. It was this very action that Phoenix attempted to reconcile by counseling him to be “both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds”. In this way, Phoenix was acutely aware of the shortcomings that Achilles suffered from and wanted to make certain that he could reconcile his thoughts, words, and actions into an honorable, dependable, firm and brave warrior. Without question, the character of Achilles is one that is fraught and plagued by fury, rage, fear, and at times even some levels of cowardice. Therefore, it is this example of the self-serving admonition that he provides himself that helps to understand the first part of the admonition and warning that Phoenix gives to Achilles. Achilles is in effect a character that is attempting to encourage himself towards the ends that his words imply; however, as is seen throughout the story, the desired effect is not realized in the way he would might wish for it to occur. By counseling him to be both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds, Phoenix was not speaking categorically; instead, he was speaking to the need for Achilles to bring his words in line with his actions. In modern English we express this as a means of “meaning what you say and saying what you mean”. It is however, the second part of the admonition by Phoenix that provides the most powerful and telling advice – “a doer of deeds”. With reference to this aspect of Phoenix’s advice, it is interesting to note the parallels that this has with relation to the Four Pillars of the Heroic Code. The Four Pillars of Heroic Code are defined as the following: 1) Always be the bravest and distinguished above all others 2) Stand fast firmly 3) Be a speaker of words and a doer of deeds 4) Help one’s friends while harming one’s enemies. As such, if a person is one that is plagued by fear, cowardice, rage, and inaction, the third pillar of the Heroic Code most aptly applies. Therefore, this was the desired route that Phoenix took in order to persuade Achilles as it is the one that contains the most relevant advice for breaking free of the chains of fear, and exorcising the indecision and rage that plagues his character. Therefore, it is Phoenix admonition that most implicitly exhorts Achilles towards acting decisively while at the same time maintaining bravery, fearlessness, and honor even in the face of great fear. As with many character developments in classical literature, Achilles realizes his imperfections and corrects them in order to face the trying moment that the author has placed him in since the beginning of the tale. However, it can also be convincingly argued that due to Achilles’ unique self-doubt, uncertainty of moral obligation, and general fear and indecisiveness near the beginning and middle of the story gave rise to his eventual downfall. However, it is also without question that the advice and teachings that Phoenix gave to Achilles are some of the most powerful reason why the character eventually conquered the internal forces that drove him towards prior division and uncertainty, and led him to behave honorably and as a brave warrior at the end of the story. As such, the parallels to everyday life are innumerable. Each and every human being faces a multitude of shortcomings, fears, doubts, uncertainty, timidity, and cowardice; however, Homer is able to use Achilles as a powerful vehicle towards fostering in the reader a greater understanding and appreciation for the character development process that occurs as a result of him seeing the error of his ways and forcing himself to amend these flaws before the end. In this way, Homer uses Achilles shortcomings and fears as a character development theme throughout the work in order to build lessons and draw parallels based upon the shortcomings and triumphs that Achilles ultimately makes over these perils. Works Cited Homer. The Iliad. The Norton anthology of world literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2009. Read More