In Homer's Iliad, the epic poet's
heroes are often motivated by kleos, a Greek word which can carry
meanings such "good reputation", "fame", and "glory." In the opening of
Iliad 5, for example, goddess Athena inspires Diomedes so that
"he’d stand out and win heroic glory [kleos]" (A.S. Kline
translation). In Iliad 9, after Achilles withdraws from the
fighting, we find him in his tent singing (ironically) of the glorious deeds of other
warriors. Thus, for Homeric heroes such as Diomedes and Achilles, the achievement of
glorious deeds is a significant motivation. Failure to achieve such deeds would make
them rather ordinary men.
As for the concept of
nostos, which means "return" or "return home," this is a theme
dealt with more frequently in the Odyssey than the
Iliad. The Odyssey focuses almost entirely on
Odysseus' nostos. Still, nostos versus
kleos is a choice that Achilles must face. At Iliad
9.413, Achilles must decide between going back to Greece and living to old
age, or remaining at Troy and dying young, but gaining everlasting glory. Hector's
onslaught against the Greek camp and his threatening to set fire to the Greeks' ships
will take away Achilles' nostos (Iliad 16.82),
so Patroclus begs Achilles to let him lead their troops into battle. When Achilles
agrees and Patroclus goes into battle and is killed by Hector, this event seems to seal
the fact that Achilles will not return home, but will stay at Troy, kill Hector, and
gain everlasting kleos.
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