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  • Essay / The Wrath of Achilles: The Wrath of the Father in the Iliad

    Christians believe that righteous anger is not evil, but that sinful anger must be reduced. Did Achilles feel righteous anger? No, his anger first came in response to his perception of being dishonored by Agamemnon. Then it grew as his own guilt surfaced at Patrokolos' death. Finally, with the perceived injustices of dishonor, accrued by Agamemnon, and of guilt, accrued by himself, rage drives Achilles to target Hektor as the source of his agony. It wasn't true, but when men are blinded by perceived injustices, they do bad things. In Achilles' case, it was a brutal attack on Hektor and the Trojans. The result of his anger was simply death. Achilles' argument with Agamemnon, the loss of a close friend, and the brutality that followed when he killed Hektor were the result of a flawed character and a sinful countenance. Achilles had already killed many warriors, but killing Hektor was the most important. Hektor's death fully fulfills Achilles' vengeance. Throughout the Iliad, Achilles was always ready to