The Death of Hector - Essay Example

Book 22 throws light on certain aspects of Greek life and culture. It shows their love for glory and their concept of war as a source of achieving that glory. The values to be adopted during the war have also been discussed in this book. The work also gives us some hints about the influence of gods on the lives of Greek people.
Greeks loved their heroes as they brought glory to their nation through their valour and heroic deeds. At one place Hector was the pride of Troy who was adored like a god by his countrymen. On the other hand, Achilles represented the glory of his nation. It was a big event in Greek history when these two warriors fought against each other. According to Rabel(1997), the incident marks a turning point in the battle of Troy.
Achilles is called a “ monster’ by Priam. He thinks that Trojan hero Hector is no match against this noble Achilles who is the favorite of gods. This thing makes Priam and his wife implore their son to avoid any confrontation with Achilles. But the Trojan hero stands his ground as he finds it below his dignity to flee from the battlefield. Though the parents cry, “ but they moved not the heart of Hector, and he stood his ground awaiting huge Achilles as he drew nearer towards him.” The rage of Achilles at one time shook the very soul of the Trojan warrior and temporarily made him flee from the waterfront. But then the thoughts of honor and dignity made him change his mind. He resolved, “ Surely it would be better for me to return after having fought Achilles and slain him, or to die gloriously here before the city.”
The combat of heroes is so huge a conflict that even gods are interested in the outcome of this battle between two great warriors. Zeus moves gods to at least give the plan of Hector a second thought: What say you? Consider among yourselves and decide whether we shall now save him or let him fall, valiant though he is, before Achilles, son of Peleus."(Book 22)
As it is decided that Hector will be killed by Achilles, that’s why Zeus’ pleas in favour of Hector are rejected even by his daughter Athena who is insistent upon the death of Hector as it is already decreed. The following lines show Athena(Minerva)’s a forceful argument against Zeus’ plea:
Then Minerva said, "Father, wielder of the lightning, lord of
cloud and storm, what mean you? Would you pluck this mortal whose
doom has long been decreed out of the jaws of death? Do as you
will, but we others shall not be of a mind with you."(Book 22)
The above-given lines show how much influence gods have on mortal’s life and how they personally carved the fate of different mortals. In the battle of Hector and Achilles, Athena deceived Hector by assuming the shape of his brother, She also gave the spear to Achilles with which he slew the great warrior of Troy Read More