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Achilles' Character Arc and the Burden of War in Homer's Iliad

In this essay on the Iliad, the student analyzes the character arc of Achilles, tracing his transformation from hotheaded warrior to a more mature leader following the deaths of Patroclus and Hector. The student emphasizes the role of Priam's desire for Hector's body in Achilles' growth, as well as the poem's use of graphic imagery to convey the horrors of war.
PAGES
3
WORDS
770
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This essay received a B by one of Kibin's paper graders. Click here to see what was done well and what needs improvement.

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This essay received a B by one of Kibin's paper graders. Click here to see what was done well and what needs improvement.

More essays like this:

character analysis
Not sure what I'd do without @Kibin
- Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University
Exactly what I needed.
- Jenna Kraig, student @ UCLA
Wow. Most helpful essay resource ever!
- Chris Stochs, student @ UC Berkeley

View other essays like this one:

Bridget's feedback:

"Your use of opinion and reflection is a nice reminder of how these characters continue to resonate with modern readers. I do feel there is room for a little more work with the diction to balance personal voice and formal word choice (e.g., "mom").

Page 2 shows a lot of summary; look for opportunities to streamline plot description -- for example, consider this revision for the last paragraph's opening: "Zeus sends Hector's father, King Priam, to retrieve the body for proper burial. At first, Achilles refuses to return the body, but Priam changes Achilles' mind by showing him the pain, suffering, and destruction killing has, as well as Priam's own pain as a father." This boils down the plot summary (Priam wants the body, Achilles refuses at first) so the paragraph can move into the emotional and thematic content (pain, suffering, destruction) sooner, spotlighting the analysis you already have down on the page."

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