Raging Achilles: Achiles’ Tragic Flaw

In the Iliad, homing pigeons character Achilles embodies galore(postnominal) of the characteristics of a hero including strength, quickness, leadership, and particularly, endurance. During the Trojan War, Achilles scraps valiantly, destroying and sidesplitting every world in his row with emerge any sign of fear or retreat. No Achaean questions his abilities nor do they precariousness his bravery they cite him as maven of their greatest warriors without whom they would have lost the war. However, match to Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics, Achilles does non exemplify a hu homosexuals with true fearlessness at all referable to one sincere character flaw.Ironically, this acute flaw is manpowertioned in the first line of the Iliad his enlivened normalise. accord to Aristotle, a naughty impatience prevents desperate men, handle Achilles, from attaining a true fearlessness because it alters the intentions quarter their actions. C drop offr analysis of Achilles enliven temper and its consequences illustrates that by Aristotles definition, Achilles does non possess true courageousness, merely neverthe slight a resemblance of it. Aristotle begins his subscriber line by classifying a live temper as a quality similar to courage, claiming that displeasure propels a man to confront his fears.Aristotle states zilch makes a man as doctor to encounter d fussinesss as a spirited temper (3. 8. 1116b. 27), implying that a courageous man must(prenominal) be spirited. However, despite these claims, Aristotle counters, stating that possessing a spirited temper does non needs mean one automatically acquires true courage. He asserts that while a spirited temper ignore provide a really courageous man (one with statuesque intentions) with support, a spirited temper can as well deter a man from macrocosm real courageous by altering his motives and incentives.Since a spirited temper lends to anger and passion, these often replace tenableness and k this instantledge as the incentive behind the actions of courageous men, such as in the case of Achilles. These sensations then result in a variety of consequences for the owner, including blindness due to anger, a proportion to beasts, and an obsession with punish. A close examination of Achilles and his actions reveals how his spirited temper changes his motivation, and consequently inhibits him from being truly courageous in an Aristotelian sense. The basis of a spirited temper is anger, which Aristotle both praises and criticizes.On one hand, anger overcomes fear and gives man the courage to face his fears. However, anger can also influence mans major power to think and dominate his motivations and likings. Thus, anger can catapult man to institutionalise actions non out of courage, but out of passion. For example, in the Iliad, Achilles anger transcends his ability to understanding and consequently impels him to engage in competitiveness with the river god Scamander aft er being insulted. plane after almost being killed by the river, Achilles anger prevents him from leaving the river and so, he surges onwith high hurdling strides, charging against the river (21. 42-343). Aristotle states that anger must be experienced under the remunerate circumstances and with the honorable people, and also in the right manner, at the right time, and for the right length of time (4. 5. 1125b. 32-34). In Achilles case, he exhibits none of these. Achilles directs his anger for Hector towards the premature target, the river. In addition, he holds onto his anger long-acting than he should and simultaneously risks his breeding. According to Aristotle, Achilles is thusly short-tempered and does not possess a true courage.His anger overtakes his reasoning abilities, movement him to commit undesirable acts and leaving him without turnal intentions. Achilles anger also affects his perceived physiologic state of being and further alters his motives by fueling his desires for strike brook. In Aristotles argument, he explains that men provoked by spirited tempers are comparable to beasts and therefore not courageous. In the Illiad, Homer often describes Achilles resembling to an animal. During the bout, Achilles is depicted as rearing like some lion (20. 94) and thundering on, on like oxen broad in the brow (20. 560). These descriptions illustrate a escape of restraint and semblance to a hazardous beast, thus further supporting the argument that Achilles is not in fact courageous. Aristotle states that balmy beasts are motivated by tormentthus they are not courageous, because they are spurred bya roused temper to rush into jeopardy (3. 8. 1116b. 33-36). Achilles epitomizes this Aristotelian idea by acting in response to a base emotion anger. Rather than being motivated by reason or knowledge, Achilles allows his anger to stimulate him.Consequently, this anger causes Achilles to lose parts of his humanity and bringing him closer to his animalistic base, which is further reflected in descriptions of his actions. Homer describes how Achilles charged, uncivilized, hurtling toward Aeneas, loosing a savage cry (20. 327). non only does this portray a baser, less human side of Achilles, but it also supports Aristotles idea that those who rush into danger blinded by their anger do not foresee the perils in store. In this case, despite Aeneas inferiority in ability, he is able to take this opportunity of temporary blindness to attack Achilles.This example illustrates Aristotles argument that Achilles spirited temper makes him similar to nothing more than a wild beast privationing true courage. Aristotles definition of courage also states that strike back as motivation corrupts true courage and leaves only a resemblance of courage. Achilles exemplifies a man who allows anger to fuel his desire for vengeance to distort his natural courage and purpose, leaving only a likeness of courage. Homer describes explicitly t hat Achilles motivation to place down the battle lies in his desire for revenge.Upon skill of Patroclus death, Achilles immediately declares that he entrust draw in the battle. Achilles proclaims, Despite my anguish I will beat it down, the fury mounting inside(a) me, down by force. all the same now Ill go and meet that murderer head-on, that Hector who destroyed the dearest life I know (Homer 18. 134-138). After having stubbornly refused to enter the battle despite the promises of wealthiness and glory, Achilles allows his desire for revenge to propel him into battle almost instantaneously. In fact, as the battle progresses, Achilles desire for revenge begins to resemble an obsession.He refuses to release his anger towards Hector, stating his desire for revenge even halfway through the battle. Achilles says, But now, PatroclusI shall not bury you, no, not till I drag back here the gear and head of Hector, who slaughtered you (Homer 17. 387-390). This plagiarize illustrat es Achilles complete fixation with revenge. Thus, according to Aristotle, he no longer acts through courage, but through obsession. dapple it is arguable that Achilles lack of fear of death makes him courageous, his basic motivations, revenge and anger, again prevent him from being truly courageous in the Aristotelian sense. passim the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states mans incentive as the defining aspect in which to condition man. In Achilles case, his anger-fueled obsession with revenge motivates and supports his ability to match therefore, according to Aristotle, Achilles is not guide by reason, but by emotion (3. 8. 1117a. 8). Aristotle further explains that while revenge gives men support and pleasure, it does not imply courage. Aristotle states, Although those who fight for this motive are good fighters, they are not courageous, for it is not the incentive of what is terrific that makes them fight (Aristotle 3. 7. 117a. 5). Aristotle concludes his argument by stating that when pickaxe and true purpose guide a spirited temper, a man becomes truly courageous. Achilles, however, motivated by anger and revenge, does not resemble this truly courageous man. While Achilles does not fit this definition, he does nevertheless seem to have some form of courage arisen from his spirited temper. Aristotle defines this type of courage as a natural courage. Thus, Achilles does not possess true courage, but alternatively a natural courage governed by his base emotions.