HEROIC CODE
Homer’s Iliad is an ancient epic tale of Greek gods, mythical creatures, and larger-than-life heroes. It is a collection of legends and events that documents a thousand-year-old oral tradition of ancient storytelling extinct today. Throughout the epic, there is a central theme that centers on the ideas of heroism, honor, pride, revolving around a host of bickering gods and warring states. It begins when Paris, a handsome noble prince, kidnaps Helen, the most beautiful women and wife of one of the Achaian kings, Menelaos. The Achaians swear revenge and the return of Helen, laying siege to Troy. Achilles, one of the bravest warriors of the Achaians is a central figure in the epic. His legendary valor and prowess are well known among the Achaians and throughout the ancient Greece. The Achaian king wants Achilles to support him in battle against Troy, but the brave and powerful warriors refuses because he is wronged by the king and because the king is as dishonorable as his enemy. Yet, Achilles faces a dilemma that conflicts the tenets of the heroic code. He refuses blind loyalty to a dishonorable king, but in doing so, he also dishonors his brothers in arms by abandoning them when they need him most. He also knows he will die at this battle, if he decides to step in.
The Achaian king, Agamemnon, sends Odysseus to persuade Achilles to rejoin the battle against Troy. In Iliad 9.252-307 Odysseus pleads with Achilles and tried to convince him to return to battle. Odysseus gives an eloquent and persuasive speech, offering Achilles gifts, promising him much glory. Odysseus speaks about honor, an essential part of the heroic code and the main theme throughout Iliad. To convince Achilles, Odysseus asks him to forgo his pride and bitterness. Achilles, hurt and angry with Agamemnon, refuses to accept the grand gifts of treasure, slaves, and livestock. Although he is bound by the heroic code to rejoin the battle and remain loyal to his king and his fellow warriors, Achilles refuses to serve dishonorable men. There is a conflict in his wavering anger. By refusing to follow blindly those who do not deserve his loyalty, Achilles faces the prospect of noble obscurity. If he does rejoin the battle, he will face a certain death, but his name will live on in glory for years to come. Achilles is unwilling to follow Agamemnon because the king has robbed him, of his kleos. Even though he is offering him more in return, it can only be valid by forceful action. Agamemnon deprived Achilles of the woman who he may have loved and kept her as a slave. Achilles, true to his oath in Book I, refused to fight for someone who broke his promise. Odysseus promises that Agamemnon would return the woman to Achilles along with a very handsome treasure and many privileges. Achilles refuses the offer. When Odysseus asks him to consider his duty to other warriors whose lives depend on Achilles’ help, Achilles still refused to fight for them. He berates Odysseus with an equally convincing speech, explaining his reasons and in doing so, redefining the heroic code of honor common throughout the Iliad.
When Achilles voices his refusal in a speech, 9.307-429 he addresses Odysseus and his companions as dear friends. It is a heartfelt response with little formality and much emotion. Achilles states that he no longer values his glory and prefers a long life of obscure prosperity. He is angry because he was cheated and does not want to fight blindly anymore. Something changed within Achilles and he understands that his loyalty and sacrifice bring him little reward and much anguish. He sees that the Achaean leaders grow rich and arrogant, while the brave warriors sacrifice their lives for lies and leftovers. Achilles realizes that honor is more than blind loyalty and pursuit of glory. For him, the rewards blind loyalty no longer satisfies his personal sense of pride. He also wants to be appreciated and believes that the Achaian king should honor his warriors as much as they honor him. When Achilles was cheated and his kleos was taken from him, he realized that his dedication and loyalty meant little.
In the Iliad 9.252-307, Odysseus emphasizes material rewards. The heroic code is to fight for the glory and the cause, ignoring personal pride. Glory is the reward for valor and loyalty. Odysseus wants Achilles to attain glory and join the fight. However, Achilles responds by redefining the ideas of the heroic code. Returning his great treasures, privileges along with his woman is no longer an incentive. This dishonor of deceit forces Achilles to withdraw from battle. He states that he prefers to die of old age and without a glorious name rather than perish in battle and have legends told of his valor. This is contrary to what warriors generally feel. The heroic code does not tolerate quiet life and old age. Achilles understands the deceit, where brave men sacrifice their lives for dishonorable kings in the name of glory. Achilles challenges the warrior tradition. He is asking the questions no Achaian warrior ever considered. Why are we fighting? Are the leaders worthy of our loyalty? Glory and riches no longer provide incentive. He sees the leaders as dishonorable cheaters, not worthy of his sacrifice.
When Agamemnon confiscated his slave girl, Briseis, Achilles saw that his life and sacrifice had little value in the service of dishonorable leaders.
Later, in Book 9, Achilles returns to battle, but not for Agamemnon and not for glory. Rather, he returns because one of his dear friends has been killed fighting the Trojans. Achilles feels responsible and rejoins the battle. The heroic code is redefined again. Now, Achilles shows that he is willing to give his life for those who will do the same in return. The blind loyalty to the Achaians, which so far defined the Iliad, no longer carries any weight. Odysseus’ arguments and offers of ‘gold’, ‘Lesbian women’, ‘iron’, and ‘glory’ were empty promises for Achilles.
What Achilles did was very profound by refusing Odysseus. However, Achilles was not an ordinary warrior. He knew his worth as a fighter and he was of noble blood. Furthermore, he had a fleet of ships and his fleet had a strategic value, without which he could not take the position he did. It was because he could retire and live a safe, long, and prosperous life as a very rich noble that he could stand against Agamemnon. Without the power of his fleet, Achilles’ actions would have been meaningless and it is doubtful that he would have withdrawn from battle unless he had something to bargain with. He did not want anything from Odysseus or Agamemnon, but in a way he wanted a chance to return to battle without losing face in front of other Achaians. Returning on Agamemnon’s terms would have meant a loss of pride and a concession that would have made him seem like a weak man in the eyes of his fellow warriors.
The epic of Iliad presents the story of the Trojan War. Its heroes battle the enemies and their own convictions in a complex world of warring states, kings, queens, and gods. The theme of heroism is central to this book. Honor and heroic code are essential to the epic story. Achilles redefines the meaning of the heroic code and personal sense of honor and loyalty. As he realizes that blindly following his leaders makes little sense, his values change. He understands Agamemnon is not worth the loyalty and sacrifice of a real warrior and that glory and empty promises are not causes worth dying for. By considering his motives, Achilles realizes that his personal honor is more important than glory.
