Character Analysis - Achilles

Intro To The Character Achilles

Achilles is the son of Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis. The most powerful warrior in the the Iliad and in Troy. Achilles commands the Myrmidons, soldiers from his homeland of Phthia in Greece, his wrath at Agamemnon for taking his war prize, Briseis, turns into the the main subject in the Iliad. In the film Troy Achilles has the choice of either living a simple happy life with a wife and kids. Or has the chance of being remembered for all of eternity, but doing so he will die and never see his homeland or his mother again.

Achilles

In both the book and film the character Achilles is the main character. But Wolf Gang Peterson portrays the character differently than the Iliad written by Homer. Achilles in both the film and the poem is the main character for fighting, and is shown as a legendary warrior. But both the Homer and Peterson see Achilles differently.

Iliad

From the start of the Iliad Achilles becomes one of the major characters in the story. Homer portrays Achilles as a God like figure, who is immortal and cannot be killed. Achilles is also shown as warrior with no emotions what so ever. Homer demonstrates this in the Iliad when Achilles says, that Hektors Body is for the dogs and the bird, to feed on. This shows us that Achilles has no emotions or remorse for Hektor. King Priam offered a ransom, for Hektors body which was Hektors weight in gold and one on Priams own Daughters hand in marriage.

                                 

 

 

This painting shows Priam begging for Hektor at Achilles feet. By offering him gold and one of Priams own daughters hand in marriage.

 

 

This vase shows the dominance and God like figure of Achilles, as he is easily betting Hector in his battle as you can see by the vase Hector is no where as strong as Achilles is to big and intimidating for Hektor.

Homers has shown that Achilles is a warrior that has no regret for anything thing it also shows that Achilles cares for no one but himself.

 

Film

The film Troy demonstrates a big difference with the character Achilles. Achilles in the film is portrayed as still a warrior and God like figure that is immortal, but is shown to have “Human like emotions”.

 Peterson demonstrates human like emotions with Achilles in the film when Priam King of Troy, goes to Achilles at the Greek War camp and asks for Hektors Dead Body back. Priam is begging to Achilles for Hektors body. Achilles shows great emotion toward Priam, and cried over Hektors body while wrapping Hectors body for Priam to Take back to Troy for His burial.

http://www.videodetective.com/movies/troy-scene-let-me-wash-his-body/72611

This movie clip shows Priam begging to Achilles for Hektor, Achilles shows real emotions for Priam and gives him Hektor.

The character Achilles is shown in two different ways in the Iliad he has no emotion and in Troy he shows emotion. In Troy Peterson has put emotion in Achilles because he wanted the audience to know that Achilles is still a human and has human like feelings not just some great warrior that killed Hektor the prince of Troy. Yet Homer wanted everyone to know that Achilles disliked extremely the Greeks, and shows no emotion towards them or anyone. Homer saw Achilles as a God that was powerful and brutalised the Greeks this why in the Iliad Achilles shows no emotion.