Week V: Hektor
Loyalty, Courage, and Shame
October 21, 6:00 PM - 7:30 pm
Reading: Iliad, 3.15-76; 6.73-118, 237-529; 7.1-312; 12.49-87, 195-293, 13.723-788, 15.716-726, 18.243-313; 22.1-363.
Hektor is arguably the most just and lovable character in Homer because of his love for his wife and son, and his unflagging loyalty to his country—in stark contrast to Achilles, who sulkily withdraws from the fighting, endangering the Greeks. Hektor’s devotion is more steady and less doubting than Achilles.
Does Hektor’s sense of the absoluteness of duty go along with a certain harshness and unsubtlety in judging others, especially Paris and Poulydamas? What difference does shame have in the case of Hektor and that of Achilles (22.98-110)? What about Hektor protects or prevents him from having the same radical doubts about justice that Achilles expressed?
What understanding of a good man, his virtue and justice, is behind Hektor’s rebuke of Paris (3.39)? Though Paris is presented as a something of a coward, what noble qualities does he display in his reply that Hektor lacks?
Paris suggests a duel to end the war. Why has this been suggested only now, ten years into the war?
How can the Trojans’ abduction of Helen have been a “delight” to their enemies (3.50-51)? What might this suggest about the true causes of the war?
Why does Helen have such contempt for her husband Paris? How does this affect him? Does such contempt vindicate Hektor’s view of the duties or demands a real man must fulfill? Does Hektor’s tragic fatalism (6.241, 367-368, 447-449, 487-489), support his dutifulness and bravery?
What is Andromache’s plea to Hektor to stay by and defend the walls (6.431)? The men agree with Hektor that it is necessary to fight outside the walls (18.310-313), but Poulydamas (18.243-313, 22.101-102) and Hektor’s parents (22.37-92) do not support that view. Why does Hector believe it is necessary, and yet also that Troy will be destroyed and his wife enslaved (6.440-465)? Is it noble to fight for a doomed cause, or is it selfish pursuit of glory?
What is the relationship between Poulydamas’ cautiousness and his doubt about Zeus’ support (12.67), and between Hektor’s rejection of Poulydamas’ advice and his confidence in Zeus (12.241, 15.719-721)?
Why does Hektor not return behind the walls of Troy once he realizes that he has ruined his own people (22.98-110)? Is being ashamed of being reproached simply moral or good? On the other hand, isn’t shame a necessary element of courage and so of a good man?
What understanding of the gods comforts Hektor as he faces death (22.296-305, also 22.129-130, 166-173)? What would be the alternative? Could Zeus save Hektor, or override fate?