Iliad and Achilles Dearest Friend free essay sample

The definition of a tragic hero was a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy that was destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. A tragic hero was a literary character who made an error of judgment or had a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on tragedy. A tragic hero is usually good, but makes bad decisions, associated with a tragic flaw that haunts the character throughout the story. In the Iliad, Achilles played a large role in the battle between the Greeks and the Trojans. In the beginning of the book, Achilles’ prize possession was taken from Agamemnon. For much time, he was being childish, lamenting over his stolen lovely haired women. When the Greeks were in a battle with the Trojans, he was still too upset to come and fight with the Greeks. Agamemnon really wanted him to come, so he bribed him with towns, rivers, and more respect, but he still refused. We will write a custom essay sample on Iliad and Achilles Dearest Friend or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Later on in the story, Achilles’ friend died, Patroclus, so he came back to battle mainly to kill Hector, a Trojan. Though, Achilles was a tragic hero, he still was a great character who will always be remembered. Swift footed Achilles murdered several Trojans, scared off enemies, and killed Hector, an enemy of the Greeks. Achilles still remained a tragic hero because his flaw was to act selfish, mainly come to war to seek revenge, and didn’t return back to battle for the right, heroic reasons. Achilles was called a tragic hero because his flaw was to be selfish. A selfish person lacked consideration for others and was concerned with their own pleasure. In the Iliad, Achilles mostly cared about himself. For example, Agamemnon stole Achilles’ prize possession. For this reason, Achilles refused to join the war because he was angry with Agamemnon. Achilles stated, â€Å"But listen while I tell you exactly how I want things to be: ‘I want you to win me great honor and glory in the eyes of all Greeks, so that they give my lovely women back to me and provide splendid gifts as well (18:115). ’† When Achilles’ dearest friend, Patroclus, went to war with his army, Achilles wanted Patroclus to wear his armor because he would win him honor, glory, and some splendid gifts as well. Achilles flaw was to be selfish because he didn’t care about Patroclus as much as he should of; he mainly focused on winning himself glory and honor. Achilles was suffering rom his stolen woman because he didn’t come back to battle to help Patroclus in war. Knowing Achilles, he would’ve been the first one to Patroclus’ aid, but instead he chose to weep and sit at home. Achilles’ flaw interrupted him from doing what he should have been doing. He cared too much about a tragic loss that it got in his way of being a â€Å"true hero. † Before Patroclus had left for battle, Achilles mentioned to him that he would be in good hands with his army and they should be ready to battle. Achilles was in a state of downfall because he was suffering from loss or defeat, and let his selfish flaw get in his way from being heroic. Achilles was a still a hero, though a tragic hero, who was respected by the Greeks, yet repeatedly made mistakes. His pride, arrogance, and selfish flaw got in his way of his ability to resolve conflicts peacefully. For example, if Achilles tried to settle a fair agreement with Agamemnon that included Achilles fighting in the war in return for his prized possession, it would have been more â€Å"hero like. † Achilles’ stubborn personality, risked lives of other Greeks because Achilles was the â€Å"hero† and was not doing â€Å"his job† correctly. Achilles was a tragic hero because he was selfish, and mainly came back to war to get revenge. A Trojan, whose name was Hector, killed Achilles’ friend, Patroclus, in battle. Achilles was devastated and wanted to revenge on Hector by coming into the battle. Achilles strong- mindedly said, â€Å"Hector, no doubt you imagined, as you stripped Patroclus, that you would be safe. It was I, and I have brought you down (22:332). † Achilles was trying to say, Hector will not get away from what had done, and would do whatever it took to hunt down Hector until he was dead. If Achilles was not a tragic hero, he wouldn’t have let tragedy get in his way, by not joining the battle from the start because he was whimpering over a loss. Also, he would have showed the Greeks what a great hero he was; in defeat, rise to the occasion to help people in need of support. Although he killed many Trojans, and helped out his peers, his main purpose was to murder Hector. This quote goes relates to Achilles being a tragic hero because he was in a time of downfall and needed a reason to get back up. Achilles was a tragic hero because he was selfish, mainly came back to battle for revenge, and didn’t come back to war for the right, heroic reasons. If Patroclus had never died, Achilles would have still been weeping over his prize possession and be watching many of Greeks die. Bending over Patroclus’ dead body, Achilles said â€Å"So then, Patroclus, since I too am going below, but after you, I shall not hold your funeral till I have brought back here the armor and the head of Hector, who slaughtered you in your greatness. Achilles wouldn’t give up until he brought back Hector and his armor. He would have him killed no matter what circumstances and would even risk his own life to kill Hector. Achilles was a tragic hero because he was in a time of defeat, and suffered from losses that he wanted to end, but he returned for the wrong reasons; mainly to kill Hector because he murdered Patroclus and to let the Trojans get a taste of their own medicine. Also, he was not standing up for his people when he knew they needed help. If Achilles wanted to kill Hector because he had been killing so many of the Greeks and got in the way of winning the battle, it would make him more of a hero, instead a tragic hero. Swift footed Achilles was considered a tragic hero. He was selfish, came back to battle for revenge, and didn’t come back to war for the right, heroic reasons. If Achilles was a real hero, he would’ve tried to save lives and protect â€Å"his country. † The Iliad shows that there doesn’t always have to be great, heroic heroes, there also are tragic ones too. For example, spider – man is a true hero because he helps save lives of people who are in danger and protects â€Å"his town† from monsters. Even though he had a very hard life, he still helped people and wanted to make â€Å"his town† proud. This was an example of real hero, and the opposite of Achilles in the Iliad. If you compare spider – man to Achilles, they have a lot of similarities, but different approaches to what a real hero was.

Critical Events in 1968

Critical Events in 1968 1968 is described by historians as a â€Å"watershed year.† This is because of the major socio-political events that happened during this year in both Europe and the United States. A commendable number of lives were lost and innocent blood shed during this year in the United States. This paper investigates the events that made the year 1968, be described by historians as the â€Å"watershed year.†Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Events in 1968 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As stated above, the major historical events that happened in the year 1968 were ignited by the socio-political unrest that was prevailing at the time. The United States government had involved itself in the Vietnam War and there were a great number of people who were against the decision. This is because United States troops were being killed in increasing numbers in the war and the government had introduced a policy to b e forcing young boys to go to war after college to replace the troops. This was one of the main reasons why there were protests in the United States in this year (Trebay, 2004, p. 1). The protests were mainly conducted by students who were against the idea of going to war after college. These protests were countered by armed police who killed a number of innocent students. Although we had a couple of lessons to learn from these incidences of protests and innocent deaths, it is regrettable that innocent people had to die. Elsewhere in Germany, the students were not left behind (Fink, 1998, p. 51). They also protested the Vietnam War and extended their protests to reject their government. After attack by the police, the German students staged more protests against their government which led to the closure of universities in the country. In Britain, students also staged protests against the war and also against a speech made by a British politician about immigration. During the same ye ar, 1968, women in the United States began protests aimed at getting the same rights as men. This added to the already existing protesting masses of students in the streets. However, there were some positive things that happened during this year like the astronauts who circled the moon during the year (Fink, 1998, p. P. 43). Additionally, there was economic and political change brought about by major assassinations that were carried out in the year. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. were both executed in this year. Kennedy was assassinated in California after the announcement of his win of the primary of the state. The win, which was an indication that he would be the president, caused the assassination.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Among the political changes that took place following RFK’s death was the nomination of Richard Nixon by the Republicans who ev entually won the elections to become the president of the United States. Martin Luther was assassinated in Memphis after he was involved in negotiations meant to strike a deal between employees and management of sanitation workers who had gone on strike (Trebay, 2004, p. 1). The death of Martin Luther King Jr. also led to a number of protests. As evidenced in this discussion, the year 1968 was filled with protests initiated by a number of problems. These protests led to a number of innocent deaths which made the year enter in history books as one of the most tumultuous years in the history of the United States and Europe. Although most of the events that took place in 1968 are undesirable, we should be happy that they took place since they taught us many important lessons. Bibliography Fink, Carole. (1998). 1968: The World Transformed. California. Barnes Noble. Trebay, Guy. (2004). Ideas Trends; 1968: That was the year that was. The New York Times.

Leadership and the Symbolic Framework Assignment

Leadership and the Symbolic Framework - Assignment Example On the other side, when an ineffective leadership is considered, a symbolic leader is compared to a fanatic or a fool who leads through the use of smoke and mirror. This means, the symbolic leader, in this case, will be using false symbols that are ineffective in driving to effective leadership to the people. In an ineffective leadership situation, the leader is one that uses symbols in his leadership option but that only acts as a mirror since the leader does not emulate the symbols they suggest. In such a way, a symbolic leader becomes a leader who does not lead by example to make it ineffective. Symbolic leaders give organizations the view of being a theater or stage to play a given set of role so as to give impressions. Symbols are used by the leaders to catch attentions of the followers. Experiences are framed by the leaders organization by providing logical interpretations of the said experiences. As such, there is a vision that is discovered and is communicated by the leaders. As can be perceived very easily, transformational leadership style is one leadership style that imparts change into the organization. This kind of leadership style uses its characters and the traits of the leader to enforce change on the followers as well as on the organization. As can be seen from the above description of the symbolic framework, transformational leadership style closely parallels the framework. This can be seen from the way the symbolic framework is perceived to be inspirational.