World Literary Masterpieces essay
Questions: Discuss the character of Achilles in Homer’s Iliad. What is the nature of the existential crisis in which he finds himself, and why is his relationship to both the gods and the other Greek warriors so unusual? What realizations does he arrive at during his period of withdrawal from the battlefield?What does it mean to say that he is probably the first true individual, as well as the first “problem character”, in Western literature? Finally, discuss the reader’s response to his behavior. In what says does Achilles repel our human sympathies? In what ways does he maintain or regain them? In this context you will certainly want to discuss his behavior toward Hector as well as his final meeting with Priam.