Aristotle And Homers Tragic Hero - 1878 Words

In parts of the tragic anthology, Iliad, the author Homer allows the reader to distinguish the various types of heroes presented and the characters that each one of them shares. He succeeds in implementing stages of Aristotle’s poetic definitions of tragedy while shifting his characters to his own Epic Tragedy. The author also prepares the reader in comprehending the differences between his and Aristotle’s definition of the Tragic Hero. In this paper, principles in Aristotle and Homer’s Tragic Heroes will be presented in relation to Achilles and Hector. These two characters will also be compared and contrasted in order to highlight their tragic characters in the anthology. Achilles, a demigod with great strength focuses on his honor and†¦show more content†¦To emphasize, when Achilles pride is offended by the King of Achaeans, Agamemnon, Achilles decides to plot against his own army all in order to prove that Agamemnon is â€Å"a fool†¦ because he did not honor The best of all the fighting Achaeans (Achilles)† (pg. ). This shows to prove that, despite his marks as a great warrior, Achilles hot-headedness toward his companions comes forward as his major weakness which portrays him as a negative hero. On the contrary, Hector is viewed as a positive hero who is bestowed the honor by his countrymen to â€Å"fight in Troy’s first ranks† (pg.213) against the Achaeans, including the pride-seeking Achilles. Despite his infamous devotion to battles and wars, Hector’s tenderness and love for his family and companions grant him many admiration and honor from the people of Troy, although his main goal is to seek. This is in contrast to Achilles. To provide an example; The Trojans, upon Hector s arrival, were covered in joy as they â€Å"ran up to him† (pg. 208). He was shown to be an appreciated prince. Furthermore, as he meets with his parents, his mother offered â€Å"honey-sweet wine† to welcome his visit as well as pouring a â€Å"libation To Father Zeus first and the other immortals†.As she offers her son wine, she states: â€Å"and you are weary from defending your kinsmen†, contributing toShow MoreRelatedThe Fate Of The War1303 Words à ‚  |  6 Pageslabelled as ‘tragic hero’ in some sort. Aristotle’s sense of the tragic hero is: A virtuous man would not make a tragic hero; a total evil man cannot make a tragic hero; the tragic hero must fall as a result of a mistake he has made; the hero must recognize the mistake he has made(Poetics). Aristotle believes in reversal and recognition. A reversal is a change from one state of affair to it s exact opposite. A change from relatively happy circumstances to tragic ones. 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His most famous teacher was Aristotle, who taught him philosophy, ethic, politics, and healing, all of which became very important to him in later in life. Aristotle also gave Alexander his precious copy of Homers The Iliad, and this was the book that Alexander carried with him to India. It has also been said that Alexander looked up to him like a father. One point that the two differed on was the status of foreigners. Aristotle saw them as barbarians, like what most Greeks thought