A Contradiction Between Nobility and Cruelty: An Analysis of the Duality of Achilles' Character in 'Iliad'
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A Contradiction Between Nobility and Cruelty: An Analysis of the Duality of Achilles' Character in 'Iliad'

Zimou Zhao 1*
1 Shenzhen University
*Corresponding author: 2022012021@email.szu.edu.cn
Published on 2 October 2025
Journal Cover
LNEP Vol.124
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-405-2
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-406-9
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Abstract

Achilles in Homer's epic 'Iliad' has created a lofty model of ancient Greek heroism. However, its glorious image is accompanied by its chilling cruelty: This kind of sharp opposition and strange coexistence of nobleness and cruelty makes Achilles transcend the thin heroic symbol and become an immortal contradiction full of internal tension. Although the academic community has achieved fruitful results in its dimensions such as heroism, honor concept, god-man relationship, anger theme and tragic fate, the existing research rarely systematically integrates this pair of extreme contradictions in his character, analyzes its psychological and cultural roots, and regards its contradiction as the core artistic means of Homer's ingenuity. In view of this, this paper aims to systematically integrate and deeply explain the dual extremes of Achilles ' character, explore the complex causes of its roots in ancient Greek heroic values, destiny cognition and personal emotional trauma, and reveal the artistic effects achieved by Homer by shaping this extreme contradiction. The following conclusions were drawn through research: Achilles' nobility stems from his individual-oriented consciousness, self-preservation, and the calming down after finding an anchor for his sorrow; his cruelty originates from the stress response of a narcissist being humiliated, the manifestation of his animal nature, and the contradictory psychology of "apologizing with death". Homer's portrayal of such an image aims to break the narrative of war violence, question the meaning of war and heroic ethics, and reveal the identity of human destiny.

Keywords:

Achilles, ‘Iliad’, character, double-sidedness, hero values

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Zhao,Z. (2025). A Contradiction Between Nobility and Cruelty: An Analysis of the Duality of Achilles' Character in 'Iliad'. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,124,1-8.

References

[1]. Qin, D. Y., (2023) Warrior's Not Withering Flowers - A Brief Analysis of the Image of Achilles in Ancient Greek Works. Writer Tiandi. 07: 82-84.

[2]. Homer. (1990) The Iliad. Tr. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin.

[3]. Arieti, James A. (1985) Achilles’ Guilt. The Classical Journal, vol. 80, no. 3, pp. 193–203.

[4]. Austin Emily. (2020) Achilles’ Desire for Lament: Variations on a Theme. Classical World. 114.1: 1-23.

[5]. Greene. (2015) Homeric Heroes, Narcissistic Characters. Psychoanalytic Inquiry 35.1: 101-116.

[6]. Sale, W., (1963) Achilles and Heroic Values. Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 86–100.

[7]. Li, L., (2013) Viewing the ethical feelings in 'Iliad' from the anger of Achilles. Literature Education ( I ).07: 36-37.

[8]. De, R., Claire-Fran, C., (2008) When the Divine Achilles Begins to Think: Anger, Despair and Pity in the Iliad'. Revue de l'histoire Des Religions, vol. 225, no. 2, pp. 223-41.

[9]. Levin, S., (1949) Love and the Hero of the Iliad. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, vol. 80, pp. 37–49.

[10]. Roland, A., (2003) Champagne. The Force of Achilles in the Iliad. Orbis Litterarum 58.1: 65-78.

[11]. Yin, Z. J., (2007) Exploration of the Heterogeneity of Eastern and Western Cultures - On Achilles' character'. Career circle. 21: 134 + 144.

[12]. The heart of Achilles: characterization and personal ethics in the Iliad. Choice Reviews Online 32.05(1995): 32-2553.http: //www.jstor.org/stable/20162854. Accessed 16 July 2025.

[13]. Wang Yishu. ' Three Personality Patterns of Heroes in Homeric Epics. ' Masterpiece Appreciation. 30 ( 2022 ) : 165-169.

References

[1]. Qin, D. Y., (2023) Warrior's Not Withering Flowers - A Brief Analysis of the Image of Achilles in Ancient Greek Works. Writer Tiandi. 07: 82-84.

[2]. Homer. (1990) The Iliad. Tr. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin.

[3]. Arieti, James A. (1985) Achilles’ Guilt. The Classical Journal, vol. 80, no. 3, pp. 193–203.

[4]. Austin Emily. (2020) Achilles’ Desire for Lament: Variations on a Theme. Classical World. 114.1: 1-23.

[5]. Greene. (2015) Homeric Heroes, Narcissistic Characters. Psychoanalytic Inquiry 35.1: 101-116.

[6]. Sale, W., (1963) Achilles and Heroic Values. Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 86–100.

[7]. Li, L., (2013) Viewing the ethical feelings in 'Iliad' from the anger of Achilles. Literature Education ( I ).07: 36-37.

[8]. De, R., Claire-Fran, C., (2008) When the Divine Achilles Begins to Think: Anger, Despair and Pity in the Iliad'. Revue de l'histoire Des Religions, vol. 225, no. 2, pp. 223-41.

[9]. Levin, S., (1949) Love and the Hero of the Iliad. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, vol. 80, pp. 37–49.

[10]. Roland, A., (2003) Champagne. The Force of Achilles in the Iliad. Orbis Litterarum 58.1: 65-78.

[11]. Yin, Z. J., (2007) Exploration of the Heterogeneity of Eastern and Western Cultures - On Achilles' character'. Career circle. 21: 134 + 144.

[12]. The heart of Achilles: characterization and personal ethics in the Iliad. Choice Reviews Online 32.05(1995): 32-2553.http: //www.jstor.org/stable/20162854. Accessed 16 July 2025.

[13]. Wang Yishu. ' Three Personality Patterns of Heroes in Homeric Epics. ' Masterpiece Appreciation. 30 ( 2022 ) : 165-169.

Cite this article

Zhao,Z. (2025). A Contradiction Between Nobility and Cruelty: An Analysis of the Duality of Achilles' Character in 'Iliad'. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,124,1-8.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceeding of ICIHCS 2025 Symposium: The Dialogue Between Tradition and Innovation in Language Learning

ISBN: 978-1-80590-405-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-406-9(Online)
Editor: Heidi Gregory-Mina, Enrique Mallen
Conference website: https://2025.icihcs.org/Huntsville.html
Conference date: 17 November 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.124
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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