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10-Mark Question
Passage-based analysis from Homer's Iliad

Explain how Hector is shown in a heroic way in this passage.

Book 17 Hector Zeus Heroism Honour
10 marks

The Passage

When from afar Zeus who marshals the clouds
Divine Attention
"Zeus who marshals the clouds"
The fact that Zeus, king of the gods, is watching Hector shows his importance and heroic stature. Being worthy of divine attention elevates Hector above ordinary mortals and marks him as a significant hero.
 saw Hector equipping himself in the arms of godlike Achilles
Epithet/Status Symbol
"the arms of godlike Achilles"
Wearing the armour of the Greeks' greatest warrior shows Hector as victorious and powerful - he has defeated Patroclus who wore this armour. This associates him with elite warrior status and demonstrates his prowess in battle.
, he shook his head and said to himself: 'Unhappy man! Little knowing how close you are to death
Dramatic Irony
"'Unhappy man! Little knowing how close you are to death"
Zeus's knowledge of Hector's fate creates pathos but also shows Hector's heroic tragic status. The audience recognises him as a doomed hero, which is a traditional heroic archetype - fighting bravely despite inevitable death.
, you are putting on the imperishable armour of a mighty man of war, before whom all others tremble. And it was you that killed his comrade, brave and gentle Patroclus
Martial Achievement
"killed his comrade, brave and gentle Patroclus"
Zeus acknowledges Hector's greatest battlefield achievement - killing a major Greek hero. This demonstrates Hector's martial prowess and establishes him as a formidable warrior worthy of respect, even from the gods.
, and improperly stripped the armour from his head and shoulders. Well, for the moment at any rate I grant you supremacy
Divine Grant
"I grant you supremacy"
Zeus personally grants Hector temporary dominance in battle, showing divine favour. Being chosen by the king of gods for special empowerment demonstrates Hector's heroic importance and worthiness of divine intervention.
. But you must pay for it. There will be no homecoming for you from the battle, and your wife Andromache will never take the famous armour of Achilles from your hands.' The son of Cronus spoke and nodded his sable brows in confirmation
Divine Gesture
"nodded his sable brows in confirmation"
Zeus's formal gesture of confirmation emphasises the solemnity and importance of this moment. The fact that Zeus makes this binding gesture specifically for Hector shows the hero's significance in the cosmic order.
. The armour fitted Hector's body well
Visual Description
"The armour fitted Hector's body well"
The perfect fit suggests Hector is equal in stature to Achilles, the greatest warrior. This physical detail emphasises his heroic physique and suggests he is worthy of this legendary equipment.
, the savage spirit of the terrible War-god now entered him
Divine Possession
"the savage spirit of the terrible War-god now entered him"
Being possessed by Ares, god of war, shows Hector as the ultimate warrior - literally filled with divine martial power. The adjectives 'savage' and 'terrible' emphasise his ferocity, a key heroic quality in warrior culture.
 and power and fresh vigour filled his limbs
Physical Power
"power and fresh vigour filled his limbs"
The emphasis on superhuman strength and energy shows Hector at the peak of heroic capability. This divine empowerment elevates him to extraordinary status, making him more than merely human.
. Uttering his piercing war-cry
Heroic Sound
"Uttering his piercing war-cry"
The distinctive battle-cry is a traditional heroic attribute, marking Hector as fearsome and inspiring. The adjective 'piercing' emphasises its power and the terror it strikes in enemies.
, he went in search of his renowned allies and presented himself before all of them, resplendent in the armour of great-hearted Achilles
Visual Splendour
"resplendent in the armour of great-hearted Achilles"
The adjective 'resplendent' creates an image of visual magnificence and glory. Hector's brilliant appearance inspires his troops and demonstrates the heroic quality of appearing impressive and awe-inspiring in battle.
. To rouse their spirits he went up and spoke to each of them in turn
Leadership
"To rouse their spirits he went up and spoke to each of them in turn"
Hector's personal attention to each ally shows heroic leadership and care for his men. Going to them individually demonstrates respect and the ability to inspire - key heroic leadership qualities.
... '...What I wanted was men who would be fully committed to fighting the war-loving Greeks in defence of the women and little children of Troy
Defensive Purpose
"in defence of the women and little children of Troy"
Hector's motivation is protecting his city and family, showing him as a defensive hero fighting for a noble cause. This makes him admirable and sympathetic - he fights not for glory alone but for those who depend on him.
. That is why I impoverish my own people by demanding they supply you with gifts and provisions and so keep your courage high
Generous Leadership
"I impoverish my own people by demanding they supply you with gifts and provisions"
Hector demonstrates the heroic quality of generosity to allies, even at cost to his own people. This shows his commitment to the war effort and his understanding of what motivates warriors - typical of a great leader.
. 'Turn, then, and straight at the enemy, every one of you, to live or die! That is the intimacy of battle
Heroic Exhortation
"Turn, then, and straight at the enemy, every one of you, to live or die!"
The imperative mood and acceptance of death ('to live or die') shows Hector's fearless heroic ethos. His willingness to accept mortality and demand the same of others demonstrates true warrior courage.
. To the man who forces Ajax back and brings Patroclus, dead though he is, into the Trojan lines, I will give half the spoils, keeping the other half myself, so that he will share the glory equally with me
Honour and Generosity
"I will give half the spoils... so that he will share the glory equally with me"
Hector's willingness to share glory and spoils equally demonstrates heroic generosity and lack of selfishness. Offering equal honour shows he values his men's achievements, a mark of great leadership and heroic magnanimity.
.' So he spoke, and they lifted their spears and charged at the Greeks with full force, filled with high hopes of retrieving the body from Ajax son of Telamon.
Book 17, lines 198-215, 223-235

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Model Answer

A strong 10-mark answer should make 5 separate references to the text, explaining how Homer presents Hector's heroism through various techniques. Each point should include quotations and analysis.

Point 1: Worthy of divine attention

Hector is shown heroically through the attention of the gods. The fact that 'Zeus who marshals the clouds' watches him specifically elevates Hector above ordinary mortals - being worthy of observation by the king of gods marks him as exceptionally important. Zeus even grants him special favour: 'for the moment at any rate I grant you supremacy'. This divine empowerment shows Hector as chosen and exceptional. When 'the savage spirit of the terrible War-god now entered him' and 'power and fresh vigour filled his limbs', Hector literally becomes filled with divine martial energy. This possession by Ares demonstrates his status as the ultimate warrior, heroically empowered beyond normal human capability.

Point 2: Impressive martial achievement

Homer presents Hector's heroism through his battlefield prowess. Zeus himself acknowledges that 'it was you that killed his comrade, brave and gentle Patroclus' - having the king of gods recognise this achievement validates Hector as a formidable warrior. The fact he defeated a major Greek hero shows genuine martial excellence. Additionally, Hector now wears 'the arms of godlike Achilles', which he won from Patroclus. Possessing the armour of the Greeks' greatest warrior is a visual symbol of his victory and prowess. The detail that 'the armour fitted Hector's body well' suggests he is physically equal to Achilles, further emphasising his heroic stature and capability.

Point 3: Visually magnificent and inspiring

Hector is shown heroically through his impressive appearance. He 'presented himself before all of them, resplendent in the armour of great-hearted Achilles'. The adjective 'resplendent' creates an image of brilliant, glittering magnificence - Hector looks like a hero should look, inspiring and awe-striking. His 'piercing war-cry' is another traditional heroic attribute, demonstrating his ability to intimidate enemies and rally allies through sound alone. This combination of visual and auditory impact shows Hector as the complete heroic package - someone who both looks and sounds like a legendary warrior, fulfilling the heroic expectation of being impressive and terrifying on the battlefield.

Point 4: Heroic leadership and generosity

Homer presents Hector's heroism through his leadership qualities. He personally went 'up and spoke to each of them in turn' to 'rouse their spirits', showing he cares about inspiring his men individually rather than merely commanding from a distance. His offer to share glory demonstrates heroic generosity: 'I will give half the spoils, keeping the other half myself, so that he will share the glory equally with me'. The emphasis on 'equally' shows Hector is not motivated by selfish desire for honour but genuinely values his warriors' achievements. He also admits 'I impoverish my own people' to provide gifts for allies, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining morale even at personal cost. These leadership qualities - inspiration, generosity, and dedication - are all traditional heroic virtues.

Point 5: Defensive hero fighting for noble cause

Hector's heroism is enhanced by his motivation and acceptance of fate. He explains he wants men 'in defence of the women and little children of Troy', showing his heroic purpose is protecting his family and city rather than aggressive conquest. This defensive motivation makes him sympathetic and admirable - he fights for those who depend on him. His command 'Turn, then, and straight at the enemy, every one of you, to live or die! That is the intimacy of battle' shows fearless acceptance of mortality, a key heroic quality. The phrase 'to live or die' demonstrates he doesn't flinch from death but embraces it as part of warfare. Even Zeus's recognition that Hector is doomed ('Little knowing how close you are to death') contributes to his heroism - he is a tragic hero, fighting bravely despite inevitable doom, which makes him more rather than less heroic.

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