Homer Depicts Hector as a Well-Round and an Ideal Prince
In the book of the Iliad, one can make a very strong argument that Iliad loves war. The various characters emerge in the light of competence or bravery in the battle. The war closely identifies with the glory of family love. Hector clearly shows that fighting among the front ranks will surely win his father’s love. Hector is depicted by Homer as a well-round and an ideal prince. Besides his loyalty to the Trojan, he loves his family and piety to his father; these personalities depict his humanity as a distinction between him and the other characters. Hector is presented by Homer as a defender of Troy. Hector attains his ultimate heroic glory when he risks his life so as to gain a lasting fame in battle. Hector is a sober person who maintains humanity, even in the battle. This paper will validate the complex character of Hector that state, “ He is the perfect portray of all the Traits.”
A man’s bravery is determined by his ability to withstand the pressure that comes from war. The author constantly uses the term “masculinity.” Masculinity is a man’s character to show strength. Homer tries to show that a Greek person is born a warrior and not a coward. The honor of the bravery, duty and humility are the definite determinant of a warrior in Greek culture. There is no bigger glory to a man than death in battle. A man who dies fighting for a noble cause is a hero to the society. It is quoted explicitly by Iliad that, “I know only cowards depart from battle. A real warrior stands his ground whether he is hit or hits another.”
Hector is Trojan king Priam’s eldest son. He was the chief warrior of the Trojan army. He is the mainstay of Troy. Hector is a loving son to his father, loving husband as well. He is described as a son of the god by the poet. No other Trojan nears his level of courage and bravery. He stands out as the undisputed future king of Trojan. He shows great responsibility towards the community in a great way. He shows a great sense of concern to the Trojan women and children alike. He is portrayed as an ideal prince who is selfless and goes out of his way for the sake of the society.
He, without knowing brings back Achilles to war. After Hector kills Patroclus, Achilles take sit upon himself to revenge this death by killing Hector. The poem shows that in his warrior attitude, Hector is illusioned by the prospects of a Trojan victory, not just his own. He fights everyone, including himself in the desire for a Trojan victory. It is a desirable attitude for a king, which should put his interest aside for the sake of others.
Hector emerges as a contrast to Achilles. He shows a great sense of responsibility to his family, father, and wife. Unlike, Achilles, who shows frustrations and anger, Hector is more composed and understanding. He analyzes the situation. He is dedicated to the service of others. He is a ‘model’ of a Homeric man (cliffs notes, pg 112-134). The author uses the literate concept of contrast in comparison to Hector and Achilles. However, both are warriors who lead their respective communities to war.
Helen, Paris’ wife, visits the Trojan court. This is surely a clear sign of disorder and shame. She is a wife yet no dowry has been paid for her. Hector does not blame Helen since he is a responsible man. He, however, sees her not being properly married as a sign of disgrace and a symbol of disorder. Andromache, who is Hector’s wife, on the other hand, is a responsible woman. She respects the law and shows a deep sense of responsibility. Her being taken captive and working as a slave leads to deep feeling of a case of the disorder. Hector fear that Andromache may be taken as a captive, showing that he sees the wrongs done by Paris through Helen.
The ideal prince nature of Hectoris is shown by his relationship with women and children. He fully knows that he must fight bravely like the father. But having been raised by a woman, he fully understands that he ought to fight for the honor of the mother. As a hero, Hector is not solely an extension of his father but also his mother. The mother pleads with him to avoid war, he, however, ignores this plea and opts to stay in the fields and fight Achilles. He carries in his heart the guilty of any thing wrong that may happen to his mother. .This guilty conscience shows a caring nature of a prince in him. Hector, however, takes, the greater plea of the family and the continuity of Trojan as a motivating factor in this fight. His victory, therefore, will be a victory not only for himself, but for his family and the entire Troy.
Homer depicted Hector as a leader who is so concerned with the success of Troy and its people. He reacts to Trojan issues with a heroic sense of order. He strongly believes on the social and cultural practices of Troy. He leaves the city in the full desire of victory and the obvious assumption of the support of Zeus for the Trojan cause. He becomes less responsive to the individuals than when he was within the walls of Troy. He isolates himself from the team and is determined to battle with Achilles until one of them is dead. Hector does not show fear of death. He believes in death for a noble cause.
Hector is a very optimistic person. He is so ambitious of success He promises his fellow Trojans of a victory after driving Achaeans back to their ships. He announced the plans for the Trojan army to remain on the plan. This was, however, a misunderstanding of the Zeus’ plan which was to give Trojans victory until they reach Greek. Hector goes ahead to win the battle. This leads to the assumption and the wish for mortality. Hector believes in victory at all costs. He unknowingly promises victory before the battle. This winning mentality only adds to his leadership ability. (Miller and Madeline, p.g 33-59).
Hector is a complicated character in the Iliad. He has a wider dimension of responsibilities to Troy, his family, and other codes of heroism. According to Homer and Jarnot, (p.g 91-104), he was used as an instrument by Zeus the god which set the tension in the experience. Much as he had numerous military powers than other warriors. He also emerges as a Homeric person. Hectors various interrelationships depict his ideal prince attribute. He is an all-around person who also plays the full part in his family life and military role as well. Homer develops Hector’s character using various literary means to show that he is a just a normal human being who is prone to error. He is vindicated by the proof that he was able to live up to his ideals of living life to death and achieving glory for Troy. The contradictory facets in his traits clearly show the being human traits (Homer and Jarnot, p.g 56).
Works cited
Homer and Lisa Jarnot.The Iliad: Book Xxii, the Death of Hector. Toronto: pg 56: Book Thug, 2007. Print.
Miller, Madeline. The Song of Achilles. London: Bloomsbury Pub Ltd, 2011. Print: pg 33-59.
Nagle, D B, and Stanley M. Burstein.Readings in Greek History: Sources and Interpretations. New York [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press, 2007. Print.
Shakespeare, William. Troilus and Cressida. S.I.: Filiquarian Pub., LLC, 2007. Print: 204-107.
Verne, Jules, Jules Verne, and Bruce Coville.Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print: 211-251
Virgil and Robert Fitzgerald. The Aeneid. New York: Vintage Books, 1990.pg 177, Internet resource.