Friday, March 27, 2009

Achilles

The Iliad ends with Achilles returning Hector's body to his father, an act which essentially humanizes him as it cures him of his excessive pride or hubris. We know that Achilles will eventually be killed by Paris, who was a complete coward, and many consider this to be his ate, or ruin caused by hubris. But because Achilles was reformed of his former prideful self can it really be said that he suffered ate and was therefore ruined?