Odysseus and Achilles in The Odyssey by Homer - Essay Example

In terms of internal structure, it is easy to see that the passage observed is a dialog between Odysseus and Achilles since it moves from person to person as each not only describes his current situation but also gives each other some news. The lamentation of Achilles of not being able to help his father is a haunting image which also shows how the society of the time valued sons helping their fathers when they came to old age. This is certainly something Telemachus would do later on in the story when he would help Odysseus not only defeat the suitors but also show himself to be a good son.

The irony in the passage comes across quite clearly when we realize that Achilles was indeed the mightiest of warriors and essentially had god-like qualities of strength and bravery. However, in death, he is little more than a weak spirit who is helpless to assist his father or even to know how his son is doing. The finality of death and of losing your abilities which you had once is an allusion to how mortality is perhaps is the ultimate answer to hubris as all living humans, regardless of their strength, abilities or heroics, must die.

The external connections of this passage are varied and many since they not only describe the parentage of Achilles, they also discuss his progeny. Achilles is noted by Odysseus to have been quite a hero who was revered as much as the gods themselves. The passage also reminds us that Odysseus has not yet reached home which is the seemingly never-ending quest he is engaged in. Rugged Ithaca eludes him as much as the news about the son of Achilles eludes Achilles. Thus the passage certainly refers to earlier parts of the same tale while pushing the idea that Achilles is an important character in some other story.

That story, of course, is the Iliad which is a part of the greater tale of the Battle of Troy itself. It also shows the great respect that Odysseus had for Achilles since even after his death Odysseus considers Achilles to be a prince amongst the dead. The most moving element of the entire passage is that even though Achilles is dead, he does not want to be so since he has lost all that he had and the realm of the dead has nothing to offer him. Moreover, his lack of information about his lordly son and even his dear father certainly troubles him since he does not know if his father has managed to keep a hold of the empire he had or if he has lost it due to old age and a weakening of the body.