Discussion Question 3 - The Iliad

The Iliad opens, "Sing goddess, the anger of Peleus' son Achilleus / and its devastations, which put pains thousandfold upon the Achaians" (70). Indeed, Achilles spends much of the story raging, moping, acting like a big baby. So in what ways is he heroic? What characteristics do you think the ancient Greeks associated with the hero? How does the story fit (in part) the hero adventure outlined by Joseph Campbell?