Hektor and Paris Essay

The Illiad is an ancient Greek epic poem which comprises of twenty-four books. It is believed to be composed in the 8th century BC. It describes the events of the Trojan War, a conflict between Greece and Troy that took place four centuries earlier. The initial cause of the Trojan War was the abduction of Helen, the queen of Sparta, by Paris, aTrojan prince. As the poem unfolds more and more is apparent as we are introduced to new characters, who we see develop in new situations. Distinctive characters are formed within the Illiad as Homer has made their importance and significance to the story apparent. Two such characters are Hektor and Paris, whom I am going to analyse thoroughly by referring to books three and six. Paris is the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, and brother to Hektor. He is also referred to as Alexandros in the Illiad. In Book three we are first introduced to Paris very early on, on the battle field, just as the Achaians are approaching. He is described as â€Å"Alexandros the godlike†. Throughout the Illiad Homer uses many references to refer to Paris. He refers to Paris as â€Å"the hero†, as â€Å"godlike† and even as â€Å"son of Priam†. Homer also uses the same technique in reference to Hektor. Hektor is also the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba as he is brother to Paris. Hektor is referred to as â€Å"the mightiest warrior in the Trojan army†. He is also referred to as â€Å"tall Hektor†, as â€Å"beloved of Zeus† and as â€Å"the slayer of men†. Although these references are insightful, they are vague. To understand these characters true personalities we must look closer at the text and the context in which they are present in. Paris’s character is apparent and definable from the context in book three alone. We learn a lot about him and how he is perceived, not just by his family, but also his people. Our first description of Paris in book three is in his armour as he is prepared for combat. He is described as â€Å"wearing across his shoulders the hide of a leopard, curved bow and sword; while in his hands shaking two javelins pointed with bronze.† This brief description is insightful as we can deduct a lot about his personality just from his attire. The fact that Paris is intending to use a curved bow in combat is significant. A curved bow was seen as a cowardly means of fighting as it involves attacking from a safe distance, as no physical combat is therefore necessary. This suggests that Paris has no real intention of fighting appropriately but is just present for show. The fact Homer has described his attire in so much detail further exemplifies this. The leopard across his shoulders is symbolic of the great Herakles whom fought and killed a leopard as part of his twelve labours. Perhaps Homer is suggesting that although Paris may appear to be of the same physical stature as Herakles, he certainly doesn’t posses the same courage and fighting ability. Paris’s cowardly nature is then confirmed as â€Å"when he saw Menelaos showing among the champions, the heart was shaken within him; to avoid death he shrank into the host of his own companions†. Although we do not get a direct insight into Hektor’s fighting capability in books three and six, he is constantly referred to as the â€Å"mightiest warrior of the Trojans† and â€Å"slayer of men†. We do however get an insight into Hektor’s leadership qualities, which Homer runs parallel and contrasts to Paris’s gutless nature. After Hektor confronted Paris on the battlefield he confronted the rest of the Trojan and Greek  army to inform them of how the battle could be resolved. â€Å"Hektor hearing his word was happy and went into the space between and forced back the Trojan battalions holding his spear by the middle until they were all seated. But the flowing-haired Achaians kept pointing their bows at him with arrows and with flung stones striving ever to strike him†. This point the situation is very perilous for Hektor as he is being attacked from all sides. Homer has to bring in Agamemnon to deal with the situation and calm his men down to hear what Hektor has to say. It is only after the men are calmed that we see Hektor’s great leadership qualities as he sustains the attention of both sides of the army and clearly presents them with an ulterior way of resolving the war. This scene is interesting as Hektor is portrayed strangely in a heroic light. Here Hektor is being confronted by the entire Greek army yet doesn’t stand down or hide away, he faces up to them in an attempt to get his message across. This situation mirrors Paris’s, when he fled and hid on the battlefield because he confronted by just one warrior. Although Paris appears to possess greater strength and courage, it is actually Hektor who does. Homer has clearly distinguished a difference in character between the two brothers here. Paris is portrayed as an effeminate character in comparison to the rest of the male characters in several ways. It has already been established that he is not a great warrior as he posses no courage or strength. The degree of precision which Paris takes in putting on his armour is humorous as his vanity shines through. â€Å"First he placed along his legs the fair greaves linked with silver fastenings to hold the greaves at the ankles†. Not only is the style in which he dresses himself effeminate but also the  extent of his armour. The fact that everything is trimmed with silver and that his helmet is â€Å"well-fashioned† illustrates this. The idea of Paris’s looks being his  distinguishing characteristic is again exemplified when he is being referred to by Aphrodite. â€Å"Shining in his raiment and his own beauty; you would not think that he came from fighting against a man; you would think he was going rather to dance, or rested and had been dancing late ly†. This description is very insightful as Homer is almost suggesting that Paris is only fit for and suitable for dancing, he is not made to fight, unlike his brother Hektor.