Examination of Crucial Scenes from Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey with Focus on Reputation as a Major Motivation

Examination of Crucial Scenes from Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey with Focus on Reputation as a Major Motivation

Reputation, or kleos in ancient Greek, is a central theme in both The Iliad and The Odyssey. It serves as a key motivation for many characters, influencing their actions and shaping their destinies. In the context of these epic poems, reputation is tied to honor, glory, and legacy—qualities that are highly valued in the heroic world of Homeric society. The pursuit of reputation often drives characters to make difficult decisions, sometimes leading to great victories and, at other times, to tragic consequences. Below are analyses of crucial scenes from both epics where reputation plays a significant role in shaping character behavior.

1. The Iliad: Achilles’ Wrath and the Question of Reputation

• The Conflict Between Achilles and Agamemnon (Book 1): One of the most significant moments in The Iliad involves the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon over the war prize Briseis. Achilles is enraged when Agamemnon demands Briseis as compensation for having to give up his own prize, Chryseis. Achilles feels insulted, as his reputation as the greatest warrior in the Greek army is called into question by Agamemnon’s actions. His sense of honor, which is closely linked to his reputation, is more important than the immediate goals of the Greek army, and he withdraws from the battle in protest. In this moment, Achilles’ reputation is at the forefront of his mind, and he prioritizes personal honor over collective military success.

  Achilles’ Speech: Achilles says, “I will not fight for you, Agamemnon… for you have dishonored me and robbed me of my prize, so I will not fight for you again.” This declaration is driven by his desire to maintain his honor and reputation. He perceives Agamemnon’s behavior as a direct attack on his kleos—his renown as a warrior—and the idea that a leader would disrespect him in this way challenges his identity and pride.

• Achilles’ Return to Battle (Book 18-22): Later in the epic, Achilles’ sense of reputation is again brought to the forefront when he learns of the death of his close friend, Patroclus. Achilles is filled with grief and rage, and he decides to return to battle. His reputation, which had been tarnished by his earlier withdrawal, is now restored through his bloodlust and the brutal killing of Hector, Troy’s greatest warrior. Achilles fights not just for vengeance but to ensure that his reputation as the greatest of all warriors is solidified. The duel with Hector symbolizes Achilles’ need to reaffirm his kleos, and his treatment of Hector’s body, desecrating it and refusing a proper burial, further emphasizes the importance he places on his reputation.

  Achilles and Hector’s Final Duel: In this scene, Achilles is focused on ensuring that Hector’s death will be remembered as a monumental victory for him. The manner in which he kills Hector and the brutal defilement of Hector’s body reflect Achilles’ drive to secure his legacy through violent acts of retribution. His desire for kleos is so strong that it overrides the typical Greek practice of respecting a fallen enemy.

2. The Iliad: Hector’s Reputation and Duty to Troy

• Hector’s Dilemma and the Battle (Book 6, 22): Hector is the Trojan prince and the hero of the Trojan side. He is deeply concerned with his reputation as a warrior and leader, but his concern is also tied to his duty to protect his family and his city. Hector’s actions throughout the epic reflect his struggle between personal glory and his responsibility as a son, husband, and father. When Hector faces Achilles in the final battle, he knows that this duel could either solidify his kleos or lead to his tragic death. In Book 6, Hector’s farewell to his wife, Andromache, reveals how much his reputation as a warrior means to him, even as he is torn by his love for his family.

  Hector’s Final Speech to Achilles: Hector, aware of his impending death, tries to strike a bargain with Achilles, asking him to spare his body and allow it to be returned to Troy for a proper burial. He says, “I pray you by your life and knees, and by your parents, let not dogs devour me by the Achaean ships, but accept gold and bronze as ransom.” Hector’s plea is not just a desire for physical preservation but also a recognition of the importance of his reputation after death. He wants to ensure that his legacy as a defender of Troy and as a hero will be honored by proper burial rites. However, Achilles, focused solely on avenging Patroclus and restoring his own kleos, refuses, showing the conflict between the two heroes’ motivations.

3. The Odyssey: Odysseus and the Desire for Kleos

• Odysseus’ Reputation in The Odyssey: Odysseus’ journey is, in part, about maintaining and restoring his reputation. Early in The Odyssey, we see him as a hero of great renown, but his journey home is long and filled with missteps. His encounters with the gods, particularly Poseidon, and his trickery in the form of disguises and cleverness (such as the use of the Cyclops’ blindness) show how Odysseus navigates the tension between his personal desire for glory and the consequences of his actions.

• The Cyclops (Book 9): In the famous encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus, Odysseus demonstrates his wit and cunning by introducing himself as “Nobody.” When Odysseus and his men blind the Cyclops and escape, Odysseus is momentarily driven by the desire to boast of his cleverness. As they sail away, he shouts his real name to Polyphemus, seeking personal recognition for his victory. This moment of hubris—his desire to secure kleos even at the expense of his men—leads to Polyphemus praying to Poseidon to curse Odysseus’ journey home, showing how Odysseus’ concern for his reputation often backfires.

  Odysseus and the Return to Ithaca (Book 23): When Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, his concern with restoring his reputation as king is evident. He must regain control of his home, which has been overtaken by suitors who have besieged his wife, Penelope. His actions in killing the suitors are motivated by a combination of retribution and the desire to reassert his dominance and reputation as a rightful king. The recognition of his identity by his son, Telemachus, and the reunion with Penelope, further reinforce the theme of restoring his honor and securing his legacy as a hero.

4. Contrasting Motivations in The Iliad and The Odyssey

While both Achilles and Odysseus are concerned with their reputations, their motivations differ significantly:

• Achilles is primarily focused on immediate, tangible kleos. For him, achieving glory in battle and maintaining his status as the greatest warrior is paramount. His withdrawal from battle and his return to fight after the death of Patroclus are both actions deeply tied to his reputation. His actions reflect a desire for recognition in the here and now.

• Odysseus, on the other hand, is concerned with a more lasting legacy, but he often balances this with personal survival and returning home. Odysseus is more cunning and calculating in his approach to kleos, whereas Achilles is more straightforward, often letting his emotions and impulses drive his pursuit of honor.

5. Conclusion: Reputation as a Driving Force

In both The Iliad and The Odyssey, reputation is a major motivating factor for the characters’ behavior. For Achilles, reputation is closely linked to immediate glory and personal honor, while for Odysseus, it is more complex, entangled with the need for survival, personal identity, and the restoration of his home. The pursuit of kleos shapes the paths of both heroes, but the consequences of their actions highlight the complexities of striving for a lasting legacy in a world where personal honor and reputation often conflict with the larger needs of community and family. Ultimately, the contrasting ways in which Achilles and Odysseus navigate these tensions reflect the diverse expressions of heroism in Homeric epic poetry.