The cruel rejection by Achilles to the supplication of Lykaon in Book 21 represents a fundamental transformation in the attitude of Achilles. Achilles has become full of anger and self-loathing following the death of Patroclus. Achilles answers Lykaon’s supplication by stating, “I reject this childish plea for mercy, and I will accept no ransom. Until Patroclus died, I often spared suppliants, and sold them abroad; but now all Trojans I catch will die, especially all sons of King Priam! ” (Graves 1960 21:99).
Achilles blames himself for the death of Patroclus, his wrath is now deeply personal and he is now intensely brutal in combat.Achilles has become a tortured soul overwhelmed by guilt and grief. In Book 1 we witness the wrath of Achilles towards Agamemnon. As 9 years of warfare precede the opening of The Iliad we can only assume (at this point) that the grudge between Achilles and Agamemnon has a long history. We do learn that Achilles considers Agamemnon, “Son of Atreus, most lordly, greediest for gain of all men” (Lattimore 2011 1:120). Achilles believes Agamemnon fights merely for power and riches and that he has no compassion for the countless lives lost or those left behind to mourn.
We also learn that Achilles fights for personal glory of which he has obtained as he is much loved by the Achaeans. But Achilles is also fighting for the shared purpose and this shows that whilst Achilles has his own personal objectives he also has a heart. Achilles “cares about the whole army, not only himself and his Myrmidons; he is known for his medical knowledge; he respects the dead; he ransoms or sells prisoners rather than killing them. We certainly know that he is brave and unsparing of his own efforts on behalf of the common cause” (Shay 1995 123).By the end of Book 1 we are able to appreciate both sides of the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon. Ultimately, they are both fighting for personal gain but just of a different kind.
We can also empathise, although we may not agree with Achilles refusal to fight the Trojans after Agamemnon takes away his well-earned prize Briseis as compensation for the return of Chryseis. It is however quite clear that even though Achilles feels dishonoured at the taking of Briseis he manages to control his temper and he maintains a reasonable state of mind.This is evident when he speaks to his mother in tears at the loss of Briseis. Achilles “has not lost his humanity and can still be touched by emotions such as love” (Arieti 1985 195). The argument between Achilles and Agamemnon is a battle of egos and at this point we see no signs of the savage Achilles to come. It is only after the death of Patroclus when Achilles returns to the war in Book 19 in the spirit of revenge and we witness his altered state of mind.
The wrath of Achilles has escalated to such an extent that he loses all sense of moral conscience and becomes a heartless killer of the Trojans.Achilles withdrawal from fighting is on one hand understandable, he was dishonoured by Agamemnon and he despises him. Yet on the other hand, it can be seen as stubborn, selfish and even childish. Achilles is now profoundly aware of the wrongs of his actions and he blames himself for the death of his much loved friend. Achilles knows that if he was fighting Patroclus would still be alive.
Achilles is now deeply ashamed and he grieves for Patroclus like a father for a son. The wrath of Achilles is now not one based on a battle of egos like with Agamemnon but instead it is now intensely personal and painful.His rage is so overwhelming that he is no longer the level headed warrior he once was but instead he has become a mad man berserk on retribution. The transformation of Achilles state of mind from Book 1 to Book 19 can be likened in our modern times to soldiers suffering from the effects of ‘Post Traumatic Stress’. Achilles has been tipped over the edge by the blame he feels for failing his responsibilities and completely loses his grip on reality. Achilles no longer adheres to the moral and social standards that were previously so important to him in his quest for personal glory.
The old values Achilles held are no longer relevant and he has lost all sense of right versus wrong. Achilles atrocious acts are symbolic of the war raging inside his mind. In his vengeful slaying of the Trojans he is metaphorically trying to kill himself over and over again. At this point Achilles is completely obsessed on obtaining revenge by killing Hector and absolutely nothing will stop him achieving this aim. Achilles is now in a psychological traumatic state of mind.
Achilles wrath reaches its pinnacle when he kills Hector, as he declares, “at last I am avenged!” (Graves 1960 22:317).It would now be reasonable to expect that from this moment on Achilles anger would begin to subside with the relief of his revenge. We would rightfully expect to begin to see the return of the old Achilles as previously told, “but there is no gall in Achilleus’ heart, he is forgiving” (Lattimore 2011 2:240) however this is most certainly not the case. Instead Achilles anger is further and even more disturbingly demonstrated by his mutilation of Hectors body. Achilles has not found peace in his revenge whatsoever instead he becomes more deranged than ever.
The death of Hector only serves to further amplify Achilles self-hatred and not offer the resolution he so desperately sought. Achilles knows that his own death will quickly follow Hectors and his inhumane acts of incessantly mutilating Hectors’ body are representative of his own inner turmoil at still being alive. Once again Achilles in desperate fury is trying to kill himself. For Achilles the only answer to his misery is his own death.
It is only at the request of Zeus through his mother, Thetis because the Gods are so displeased by his mutilation of Hectors body that Achilles begins to reconcile his conscience.Achilles must surrender Hectors body to his family and it is through this process he returns to a more rational state of mind. When Achilles meets Priam he deeply touched, Priam mourns Hector, like he does Patroclus. Achilles also sees his own father, Peleus in Priam and through this solemn meeting his anger subsides. Despite all the trauma and adversity Achilles has faced he is able to recognise the common thread of humanity, morality and mortality in the eyes of his enemy.
Achilles is reformed by Priam, it is like a session between a therapist and a patient he finds answers as he is now able to deal with his emotions. Achilles returns Hectors body to Priam because he morally accepts how important it is for Hector to have a dignified burial, just as it was to him to give Patroclus a proper burial. Achilles rediscovers kindness, pity, compassion and respect on a far greater level than he has ever known before. Achilles has been rehabilitated and he is now at peace.
The transformation of Achilles and his profound personal growth in The Iliad make him the most marvellous hero.Considering the behaviour of Achilles throughout The Iliad it is clear that “Achilles doesn’t have to be perfect, in fact shouldn’t be. He just needs to be somewhat better than ourselves to be the best kind of tragic protagonist” (Shay 1995 122). Achilles is human, he is flawed and he is capable of extreme atrocities and generosities. In Aristotle’s words he is a “person who is in between the extremes. Such a person is neither preeminent in virtue nor falls into misfortune because of vice or depravity, but rather because of some hamartia” (Golden 1992 387).
This is what makes Achilles so remarkable and unlike any other character in book as we are privy to his fluctuating state of mind throughout the journey of reading The Iliad. We are the fortuitous observer of his resurrection from a troubled, tortured soul to one who finally finds peace and eternal glory. After an estimated three thousand years since the Trojan War Achilles has remained forever relevant. The story of Achilles, his changes in behaviour and attitude symbolise what it means to be human, to live, to evolve, to overcome adversity and to ultimately decide our own destiny.
