Thursday, September 6, 2012
An Iron Heart
Twice Priam is told, "The heart in you is iron." The first time by his wife, Hekabe, as she is pleading with him not to go before Achilles. The second time Achilles himself makes an identical statement to Priam. In the first instance one might see this phrase an assume it means that a persons heart is stubborn and hard; it does not necessarily seem like a compliment. Yet upon Priam's humbling himself before Achilles, this phrase seem less like an insult and more like a a statement of wonder. The reader sees Priam no longer as a weak man, but a man of courage revered by Achilles, the strongest of men. As we discussed in class today, it seems as if Homer is getting at the true definition of courage. It requires a little bit of stubbornness and determination, but even more it requires humility. This makes Priam a true hero, for instead of causing more strife through his courage he makes peace.
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I love your thoughts on this, and I absolutely agree. Priam may have had an iron heart but like you said, in this case, that is a good thing. He is a brave, courageous leader and to a good leader of men, toughness like this is essential.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts on Priam. I never thought of Priam as a hard kind with no feeling when I read the words, "The heart in you is iron." Priam is probably one of the most courageous men in The Iliad. In order to make peach with Achilleus to get Hektor's body, Priam is able to put aside his anger and hatred and kiss Achilleus' hands. Most men would kill first and ask questions later if they met the man who murdered their son. But Priam intentionally seeks out Achilleus. It takes an iron heart to do the right thing sometimes.
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