Achilles in The Iliad or Oedipus in Oedipus the King as ancient “heroes”

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Achilles in The Iliad or Oedipus in Oedipus the King as ancient “heroes” and address the following questions:

What does the hero do to earn that designation?
What are the benefits and burdens that come with his role as hero?
Where does he stand in relation to the rest of society?
Use a specific scene in each work to develop your answer. Along the way consider how these depictions of ancient heroism align with or contrast with the heroes we see in Scripture, like David in the story of David and Goliath from I Samuel 17.

 

Sample Solution

Ancient Heroes: Achilles vs. Oedipus vs. David

This comparison reveals fascinating insights into the nature of heroism in ancient Greece and in the biblical narrative.

Achilles in The Iliad:

  • Earning Hero Status:Achilles earns his heroic status through his unparalleled skill in battle. He is physically invincible, the “best of the Achaeans,” feared by all who fight him. His prowess on the battlefield is his primary source of glory.
  • Benefits and Burdens:Achilles enjoys the benefits of respect, admiration, and spoils of war. He is revered by his comrades and feared by his enemies. However, his heroic role also brings him immense pain. His hubris, his wrath, and his desire for glory lead to the loss of his beloved Patroclus, plunging him into deep sorrow and fueling his vengeance against Hector.
  • Social Standing:Achilles stands above the rest of society, a warrior who is both admired and feared. He is granted special privileges and often acts independently, challenging the authority of Agamemnon.

Specific Scene: Achilles’s rage after Patroclus’s death in Book 24 of the Iliad highlights his conflicted position as a hero. He refuses to bury Patroclus’s body, defying the divine order and the social norms of the time. His grief and anger are both a source of fear and a testament to his passionate nature, making him a formidable force for both good and evil.

Oedipus in Oedipus the King:

  • Earning Hero Status:Oedipus earns his initial status as a hero through his intelligence, courage, and his ability to solve the riddle of the Sphinx. He is revered as a savior, having delivered Thebes from the terror of the Sphinx.
  • Benefits and Burdens:Oedipus benefits from being revered as a wise and just ruler. He enjoys the love of his people and is hailed as a hero. However, his pursuit of truth, his relentless desire to uncover the mystery of the plague, ultimately leads to his own downfall. The truth exposes his horrific sins, causing him to be ostracized and to suffer a terrible fate.
  • Social Standing:Oedipus stands at the pinnacle of society, as the king of Thebes. He is initially beloved and respected, embodying the ideal of a wise and benevolent ruler. However, his own actions, driven by his heroic pursuit of truth, ultimately shatter his status, leading to his downfall.

Specific Scene: The moment of Oedipus’s realization of his own guilt in Oedipus the King showcases the burdens of his heroism. As he uncovers the truth, he understands the terrible consequences of his actions, sacrificing his own happiness for the sake of justice. This scene demonstrates the tragic consequences of his heroic pursuit of truth.

David in the Story of David and Goliath:

  • Earning Hero Status:David earns his hero status through his faith in God and his willingness to trust in God’s power. He defeats Goliath not through his own physical prowess, but through God’s grace and his unwavering belief in the divine.
  • Benefits and Burdens:David receives the benefits of fame and power. He is lauded as a hero, becomes a king, and enjoys the favor of God. However, his heroic journey is marked by challenges and trials, including battles against enemies, betrayals, and internal struggles.
  • Social Standing:David initially stands as an underdog, a shepherd boy who is overlooked and undervalued. However, his heroic actions elevate him to the highest position in society, making him a king and a symbol of God’s favor.

Specific Scene: David’s confrontation with Goliath in I Samuel 17 stands as a defining moment in his heroic journey. He rejects the conventional weapons of war and trusts in God’s power, representing a different form of heroism, one rooted in faith and reliance on the divine.

Comparison and Contrast:

  • Focus on Strength vs. Faith:While Achilles and Oedipus are renowned for their physical prowess and intellectual brilliance, David’s heroism rests primarily on his faith in God. This highlights the distinct approaches to heroism: one rooted in human capabilities and the other grounded in spiritual reliance.
  • Fate vs. Free Will:Achilles and Oedipus seem bound by fate, their actions leading to predetermined consequences. David, however, displays a greater sense of free will, choosing to trust in God’s power and acting with intention.
  • Glory vs. Humility:Achilles and Oedipus are driven by ambition and glory, leading to their own downfall. David’s heroism is marked by a sense of humility and selflessness, placing his trust in God’s will.

Conclusion:

These comparisons highlight the diverse ways in which heroism has been portrayed throughout history. The ancient Greek heroes Achilles and Oedipus represent a more human-centered view of heroism, emphasizing individual prowess, ambition, and the inevitability of fate. David’s heroism, rooted in faith and trust in God, offers a different perspective on heroism, one that values humility, selflessness, and reliance on divine power. These contrasts reflect the different values and beliefs of their respective cultures and offer a fascinating glimpse into the ever-evolving nature of the hero archetype.

 

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