Mason A.
asked 03/23/18Can someone give me a little help with this question from "The Death of Hector"?
List three examples of hubris, or extreme pride, you see in the story or hear about happening before the story begins. How does this hubris affect Hector’s ultimate fate.
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1 Expert Answer
Hubris (or extreme pride or overconfidence) is a huge part of Ancient Greek tales, and the Death of Hector highlights this theme.
Here are three examples from the text of Hubris:
- Ignoring the pleas/warnings of his parents: Priam and Hecuba (Hector's parents) plead with Hector to retreat behind the city walls and reject Achilles demand for single combat. Wise counselors also warn him of an ill fate, such as the counselor, Polydamus, who sees the eagle as an ill omen for the Trojans. Hector ignores all of their warnings in his quest for glory and defeating the famous Achilles, thus showing hubris.
- Accepting Achilles' Demand for Single Combat: At this point during the war, it was clear that a strategic retreat would be the best option for the Trojans. Hector, being the son of King Priam, holds a high rank in the Trojan army and is admired by his people. By choosing to fight Achilles, he decides to pick his own pride and desire for glory over the good of his people. His death greatly harms the morale of the Trojans and removes the greatest defender from Troy.
- Putting on the Same Armor He Stole From Patroclus: This can be seen as an example of Hubris for when Hector goes to fight Achilles, Homer specifically mentions that he wears the same armor that he stole from Patroclus after killing him. This armor originally belonged to Achilles, but Patroclus wore it to motivate the Greeks to fight the Trojans and instill fear into the Trojan troops. This act by Hector shows that he believes he can kill Achilles with the same ease as he killed his friend. He is also directly mocking Achilles' strength and believes himself superior and worthier of the armor. In addition, Hector, wearing the same armor he stole from Patroclus, enrages Achilles further, causing Achilles, in his grief, to not just kill Hector but desecrate his body.
As in most Greek tales, Hector is punished for his hubris with not just a sudden and violent death, but his body is desecrated by Achilles in front of his kingdom and family.
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Mark M.
03/23/18