Kleos in the Iliad Essay - 1074 Words

Kleos in the Iliad When we consider the Hero in ancient Greek culture, we must forget our notion of what a hero is. The ancient Greek concept of a hero was different from our own cultures. The motivation for any Homeric Greek is glory, or Kleos, that is to be honored and respected among their people. Not only does kleos imply being honored and respected, it literally means ‘to be heard.’ Achieving kleos entails that your tale and ultimately you will live on forever. Kleos is essential to the Greeks and life would not be worth living without it. When a warrior or hero is advised to avoid risking their life in battle it almost drives them even further towards the deed. It is better to be killed in action rather than to live†¦show more content†¦Even as his wife Andromache pleads â€Å"Pity me, please! Take your stand on the rampart here before you orphan your son and make your wife a widow† (Iliad VI. 511-512) to persuade him to stay at home, he chooses kleos over h is family. Hector is described by Helen far differently than she speaks of her own husband. â€Å"But come in, rest on this seat with me, dear brother, you are the one hit hardest by the fighting, Hector, you more than all – and all for me, slut that I am, and this blind mad Paris† (Iliad VI. 421-423). Helen embraces Hector for his bravery and honor, and asks even that he rest from battle. Her polar opinion between the two brothers serves as an important facet for dissecting the importance of kleos even within a family. Homer shows Helen’s shame and contempt for her husband as he does nothing to defend her or his home against her love for Hector as he fights so gloriously for Troy. Hector fights for his own kleos and for the glory of Troy, and leaves his family behind for it. His desire to leave his legacy behind is greater than his love for family. However, he realizes that there is more than one way to leave a legacy behind. Despite leaving his family behind, he hopes that his son will supplant him praying to Zeus â€Å"Zeus, all you immortals! Grant this boy, my son, may be like me, first in glory among the Trojans, strong and brave like me, and rule all Troy inShow MoreRelatedDeus and Kleos: The Paradox of Glory in Homers The Iliad Essay1104 Words   |  5 Pages The Iliad is the story of hundreds of Ancient Greek heroes and kings seeking to take the fabled city of Troy. They embody the values that the Ancient Greeks valued. The charismatic Odysseus, the mighty Achilles, the wise Nestor, the royal Agamemnon all take part in the Iliad. The heroes pursue personal glory on the battlefield. Glory to them, is more valuable than their families, their lives, and form the very basis for their existence. The invincible Achilles, mightiest of the Achaeans, choosesRead MoreThe Iliad Vs. 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When the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus describes how he wishesRead MoreA Comparative Analysis of Odysseus and Achilles Essay1207 Words   |  5 Pagesthe very thing that Thetis sought to avoid, eventually pul led Achilles into battle. Kleos is commonly translated as â€Å"fame† or â€Å"glory,† but these words do not encompass its true meaning. Kleos plays an enduring role in the interactions of Greek patriarchs; it transcends an individual and is passed on to successive generations. Having fathers of fame, both Odysseus and Achilles feel that they must maintain the kleos of their lines and build upon it. Achilles and Odysseus share a similar lineage. NumerousRead MoreHow Does Homer Use The Effectiveness Of Ajax s Speech1723 Words   |  7 Pagesthe effectiveness of Ajax’s speech, specifically Ajax’s similarities to Achilles and the speech’s focus on the Greek value of timÄ“ (one’s honor or how one is perceived by others), to reveal the motivations and nature of Achilles. In book IX of the Iliad, Ajax, known primarily for his brute strength and martial prowess, delivers the speech Achilles finds most compelling. Conversely, Odysseus, although the most adept orator sent, is the least effective in convincing Achilles to rejoin the war. In myRead MoreThe Heroic Code Of Honor For A Hero1228 Words   |  5 Pagesacquiring a kleos; establishing fame, glory and a positive reputation. It was not an easy task to become a Grecian hero. Building and maintaining kleos meant that a warrior must be brave and strong, be â€Å"a speaker of words and a doer of deeds.à ¢â‚¬  The solider had to protect his friends and harm his enemies, respect the gods and his elders, and most of all value his honor over his life. To die in battle, and be spoken of after death was the most important act of honor for a hero. 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