Hector v. Achilles

In Book 6 we encounter Hector’s family. He spends his time before returning to battle by talking to Andromache. From their conversation, we acquire some insight into the personality of Hector. He appears extremely brave. He admittedly considers his own men above himself, demonstrating his selflessness. Hector claims that he would die fighting for his men, and he can’t bear the shame of showing cowardice. In comparison, Achilles fits the archetype of a ‘lone wolf’ or ‘loner.’ We feel a sense of hostility in Achilles’ speech, blaming his mother for conceiving him with a mortal father. He fits another archetype of the ‘man against the world,’ showing sometimes no regard for his superiors, including the gods and goddesses. Achilles doesn’t answer to anybody, he is confident in his fighting abilities, but refuses to fight over a war that he feels is pointless. Achilles is by no means, cowardly. His selfish attitude toward returning to the scene of battle may show this, but he values his mortal life over fighting in a war that was started by the abduction of Helen by Paris. In this way, Achilles can almost be regarded as a ‘bad’ guy, or the warrior with a ‘bad’ attitude. So, comparing Hector and Achilles illustrates to the reader a fight between good and bad. However, we gain insight into each character’s personal life, which reveals that these two rivals share similar traits and qualities. I think this is why the reader encounters certain conversations between characters as a means of gaining insight or perspective, instead of choosing to side with one character or another.