Achilles
(Cathy B. and Midge M.)
Summary: Achilles is found on Page 200, lines 550-642!
Odysseus is in the land of the dead when he talks to Achilles, who is dead (of course.) Achilles asks Odysseus about his father, Peleus, and his son, Neoptolemos, and states that he would rather be alive and be a poor farmer than to be an important person in the underworld. Odysseus says he does not know anything about Peleus, but can tell Achilles the whole story of Neoptolemos. Odysseus tells Achilles that Neoptolemos came to fight with the Akhaians in the Trojan War. Neoptolemos spoke in all the of the councils at Troy and no one could beat him in debates, with the exception of Odysseus and Nestor, he continues on to say that during battle Neoptolemos fought gallantly, and was always brave. During the battle all the men were afraid and cried, but Neoptolemos was never scared or cowardly. After the battle at Priam, Neoptolemos took what he wanted, and was totally unharmed. After hearing this new, Achilles gleefully ran off, proud of his son.
Archetypes and Heroic Journey:
In The Odyssey Achilles is like the archetype Warrior. His fear is his weakness, the spot on his heel, and his goal is to win, because he wants to find out what had happened to his son. Achilles is a very strong person, he is referred to by Odysseus as,"Akhilleus, Peleus' son, strongest of all among Akhaians." (Book 21,Line 563) One characteristic of a warrior is strength and Achilles posses that.
Achilles can also represent the Father because he is dead and is living through Odysseus and his son Neoptolemos. He "rules by the sidelines" because he is dead and therefore cannot experience things firsthand and must ask about it instead. Achilles asks about his son Neoptolemos by saying, "Tell me, what news of the prince my son: did he come after me to make a name in battle or could it be he did not?" (Book XI, Line 582-584)
In Odysseus' heroic journey Achilles is part of the labyrinth, which is the part of the story when Odysseus is trying to complete his journey and it's partially completed. The land of the dead/underworld/Men of Winter place where Achilles encounters Odysseus represents the archetype underground, in that it is dark and mysterious and full of the DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!! The Land of the Men is described as a place where "never the flaming eye of Helios lights on those men." Book XI, Line 17)
Allusions:
Achilles has appeared in other
myths, besides the Odyssey, he is in the play by Sophocles called "Lovers of
Achilles", and many other books, including; Achilles: Lover of Chiron, Lovers Legends, and
Alexander the Great and The Trojan War, and The Fall of Troy by
Quintus. Additionally,
Achilles appears in pop culture. In 2004 Warner Brothers made the movie
"Troy," in the movie Achilles was played by Brad Pitt. Achilles also
appears in the doctor's office!!! Some athletes experience pain in the tendon in
their heel, which is called the Achilles heel, they
feel soreness, throbbing pain and sometimes surgery must be performed on their
heel. There is a company called Achilles which produces plastic film and
rolled products as well as inflatable boat products. There is a Led
Zepplin song called "Achilles Last Stand." One breed of Pomeranian dogs are
called Achilles Poms. In New York each year a marathon is held called the
Achilles Marathon in Central Park. Finally there is a there is a poem by
Louis Carrol called "What the Tortoise
said to Achilles." There are many other companies, and other things
that are named after Achilles too.
A Doctor examining an Achilles tendon. Brad Pitt playing Achilles in Troy
Links:
Links to More Links about Achilles and his Background
And here's a funny one:
