The Iliad: Book 22 Flashcards
World of the Hero (MSD) (14 cards)
Summary
Achilles chases Hector around Troy, as Hector flees in fear.
Athena tricks Hector into turning and fighting, disguised as his brother.
Achilles kills Hector, in a brutal one-on-one duel.
Achilles dishonours Hector’s body, dragging it behind his chariot.
Troy mourns their champion, who fought bravely to the end.
What is the structural focus of Book 22?
It features the climactic duel between Achilles and Hector—the final showdown between heroic equals.
How are similes used to emphasise character dynamics?
Hector is likened to a fawn and Achilles to a predator, using predatory imagery to heighten tension and contrast.
What do Hector’s and Achilles’ speeches reveal about their characters?
Hector pleads for a proper burial, showing humanity; Achilles coldly refuses, highlighting his ruthless menis.
What is the main irony in this book?
Athena tricks Hector by pretending to be his ally (by disguising as his brother helping him on the battlefield)—he is doomed by divine deception, not just skill.
How does Hector embody heroic death in Book 22?
He faces his fate bravely, making a final stand and accepting death—an ideal model of heroic conduct.
How does Achilles demonstrate menis and hubris?
He desecrates Hector’s corpse by dragging it—his rage becomes excessive, even unheroic.
What impact does Hector’s final stand have on his kleos?
Despite defeat, Hector’s courage and loyalty preserve his kleos, securing honour after death.
How is fate portrayed through Hector’s actions?
Hector accepts his death calmly, acknowledging that mortals cannot escape fate.
How is the family affected by Hector’s death?
Priam and Hecuba mourn their son—domestic sorrow interrupts the epic violence, adding emotional depth.
What role do the gods play in Hector’s downfall?
Athena deceives Hector, proving that divine interference, not just skill, determines outcomes.
How does Hector initially react when facing Achilles in Book 22?
Hector runs away in fear, circling Troy three times before standing his ground—showing the tension between human fear and heroic expectation.
What does Hector’s flight reveal about his character and the heroic code?
His moment of hesitation humanises him but also clashes with the heroic ideal of meeting fate head-on.
How does Homer use Hector’s flight to build dramatic tension?
The extended chase delays the duel, increasing suspense and symbolising the inevitability of fate catching up.
