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

Explain how far you think Achilles is shown to be admirable in this passage.

Book 22 Achilles Hector Heroism Mortality
10 marks

The Passage

'Evil death is no longer far away; it is staring me in the face and there is no escape. Zeus and his Archer son must long have been resolved on this, for all their earlier goodwill and help. 'So now my destiny confronts me. Let me at least sell my life dearly and not without glory, after some great deed for future generations to hear of.' With these words Hector drew the sharp, long, heavy sword hanging down at his side. He gathered himself and swooped like a high-flying eagle that drops to earth through black clouds to pounce on a tender lamb or cowering hare
Epic Simile
"swooped like a high-flying eagle that drops to earth through black clouds to pounce on a tender lamb or cowering hare"
This extended simile presents Hector as a predator, creating dramatic irony as he will be the prey. The imagery foreshadows violence and emphasises the inevitable tragedy about to unfold.
. So Hector swooped, brandishing his sharp sword. Achilles sprang to meet him
Heroic Action
"Achilles sprang to meet him"
The verb 'sprang' shows Achilles as eager and unafraid, rushing towards combat. This presents him as brave and confident, traditional heroic qualities that make him admirable in warrior culture.
, his heart filled with savage determination
Emotive Language
"savage determination"
The adjective 'savage' suggests brutality and lack of mercy. This undermines admirability - Achilles is driven by animal-like ferocity rather than noble purpose, making him seem cruel and excessive.
. He kept his chest covered with his fine, ornate shield; his glittering helmet with its four plates nodded, and above it danced the lovely plumes that Hephaestus had lavished on the crest
Divine Favour
"Hephaestus had lavished on the crest"
Reference to divine craftsmanship shows Achilles is favoured by the gods. This elevates him above ordinary mortals and suggests he has special status, making him more admirable as someone chosen by the divine.
. Like a star moving with others through the night, Hesperus, the loveliest star set in the skies - such was the gleam from his spear's sharp point
Epic Simile
"Like a star moving with others through the night, Hesperus, the loveliest star set in the skies"
This beautiful comparison to the evening star creates an image of Achilles as brilliant and outstanding. The aesthetic beauty ('loveliest') makes him seem almost divine, enhancing his admirability through visual splendour.
 as he weighed it in his right hand with murder in his heart
Violent Intent
"murder in his heart"
The noun 'murder' is deliberately chosen over 'killing' - it suggests premeditated malice. This makes Achilles seem less like a warrior and more like an assassin, reducing his admirability by emphasising his vengeful cruelty.
 for godlike Hector
Epithet
"godlike Hector"
Hector receives the elevated epithet 'godlike', ironically making Achilles' opponent seem more noble. This contrast can diminish Achilles' admirability by association - he's attacking someone presented as worthy and heroic.
, searching that handsome body for its most vulnerable spot
Warrior Skill
"searching that handsome body for its most vulnerable spot"
This demonstrates Achilles' expertise and tactical thinking. The calculated approach shows him as a skilled warrior, which is admirable. However, the deliberate search for weakness could also seem cold and calculating rather than honourable.
. Hector's body was completely covered by the fine bronze armour he had taken from great Patroclus when he killed him, except for the flesh that could be seen at the windpipe, where the collar bones hold the neck from the shoulders, the easiest place to kill a man. As Hector charged him, godlike Achilles
Epithet
"godlike Achilles"
The epithet elevates Achilles to near-divine status, making him admirable through association with the gods. This traditional heroic epithet presents him as exceptional and worthy of reverence.
 drove at the spot with his spear, and the point went through Hector's soft neck
Graphic Violence
"the point went through Hector's soft neck"
The detail of penetration through 'soft' flesh creates a visceral, brutal image. The emphasis on physical destruction makes the violence explicit and potentially excessive, which may reduce Achilles' admirability.
, though the heavy bronze head did not cut his windpipe and left him still able to speak. Hector crashed in the dust
Contrast/Pathos
"Hector crashed in the dust"
The undignified collapse ('crashed') and the lowly 'dust' create pathos for Hector. This can make Achilles seem less admirable as we sympathise with his victim, especially since the violence was so calculated.
, and godlike Achilles
Epithet (repeated)
"godlike Achilles"
The repetition of 'godlike' maintains Achilles' elevated status even as he stands over his dying opponent. Homer continues to present him with the traditional heroic epithet, reinforcing his exceptional nature.
 triumphed over him: 'Hector, no doubt you imagined, as you stripped Patroclus, that you would be safe. You never thought of me.'
Direct Speech/Gloating
"'Hector, no doubt you imagined, as you stripped Patroclus, that you would be safe. You never thought of me.'"
Achilles' words are taunting and cruel, mocking a dying man. The gloating tone and reminder of Hector's 'mistake' in not fearing him shows Achilles as vindictive and lacking in compassion, significantly reducing his admirability.
Book 22, lines 300-333

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Model Answer

A strong 10-mark answer should make 5 separate references to the text, explaining how far Homer presents Achilles as admirable. This question requires evaluation - discussing both admirable and unadmirable qualities.

Point 1: Brave but savage (balanced evaluation)

Achilles shows traditional heroic courage when he 'sprang to meet' Hector, suggesting he is unafraid and eager for combat. The active verb 'sprang' presents him as bold and confident, which are admirable warrior qualities. However, this courage is undermined by the description that his heart was 'filled with savage determination'. The adjective 'savage' suggests animal-like brutality rather than noble purpose, making him seem excessive and cruel. The phrase 'murder in his heart' further damages his admirability - the noun 'murder' implies premeditated malice rather than honourable warfare. Therefore, whilst Achilles displays bravery, his excessive violence makes him only partially admirable.

Point 2: Divinely favoured and visually glorious

Homer makes Achilles admirable through references to divine favour and visual splendour. His armour was made by Hephaestus who 'had lavished' care on the crest, showing that the gods value him and have equipped him specially. This divine connection elevates Achilles above ordinary mortals. The epic simile comparing his spear to 'Hesperus, the loveliest star set in the skies' creates an image of brilliance and beauty. The emphasis on aesthetic glory ('glittering helmet', 'lovely plumes') makes Achilles seem magnificent and exceptional. These techniques present him as admirable through his god-given superiority and visual splendour, though this could be seen as superficial compared to moral qualities.

Point 3: Skilled but calculating

Achilles demonstrates impressive warrior skill when he is described 'searching that handsome body for its most vulnerable spot'. This tactical approach shows him as expert and competent, which is admirable in a warrior. His ability to identify and strike the exact weak point in Hector's armour (the throat) demonstrates mastery of his craft. However, this calculated search for weakness could also seem cold and ruthless. Rather than meeting Hector in a fair contest, Achilles deliberately hunts for an advantage, which might be seen as lacking in honour. Therefore, his skill is admirable from a practical perspective but potentially less so from a moral one.

Point 4: Godlike status vs ungodlike behaviour

The repeated epithet 'godlike Achilles' (used twice) continually elevates him and suggests exceptional status worthy of admiration. This traditional Homeric epithet associates him with the divine and marks him as outstanding among men. However, there is irony in calling him 'godlike' immediately after he gloats over his dying enemy. When Hector 'crashed in the dust', the undignified collapse creates pathos for the victim. Achilles' response - mocking Hector with 'no doubt you imagined... that you would be safe' - is cruel and vindictive. This gloating over a dying man contradicts the supposed 'godlike' nobility, making the epithet seem ironic and reducing his admirability significantly.

Point 5: Context of revenge

The reference to Patroclus in Achilles' final speech provides context for his behaviour. Hector had killed and stripped Patroclus, which motivates Achilles' vengeance. From this perspective, Achilles' violence could be seen as justified retribution for his beloved companion's death, making him more admirable as someone who honours his fallen friend. The detail that Hector wears 'the fine bronze armour he had taken from great Patroclus' emphasises the personal nature of this conflict. However, even with this justification, the extent of Achilles' cruelty - the 'savage' determination, the calculated killing, and the vindictive gloating - seems excessive. Therefore, whilst the revenge context makes Achilles' behaviour more understandable, it does not make it fully admirable. Overall, Homer presents a complex picture where Achilles has admirable qualities (courage, skill, divine favour) but his excessive violence and cruel behaviour significantly limit how far he can be considered truly admirable.

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