Achilles occupies a central role of importance in the epic
poem. Consider the opening lines of the work as evidence of
this:
Sing, O
Goddess, the Anger of Achilles son of Peleus that brought countless ills upon the
Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it
yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the
day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one
another.
It is here that the
first inclination of Achilles' importance is evident. Achilles' skill at warfighting
allows him to transcend what others can do on the battlefield. Achilles is the
embodiment of the Classical warrior, whose arete, or greatness, on the battlefield is
the determination for success or failure. He fights for the Greeks against the Trojans
and his desire to be regarded as the best to ever take the battlefield. He recognizes
that his participation in the war against the Trojans is a way to cement this
legacy.
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