Pride Kills All

After reading Homer's "The Iliad", I was inspired to write a poem about the inward struggles of the main protagonist, Achilles.

Strong, authoritative,

Bold, and courageous,

Is the man

Whose pride is outrageous.

 

Son of a spirit,

Or so he’s been told,

Covets armour of brass

Not that of gold.

 

Shield made from scratch

The hands of divine,

Used only for battle

Breaking limbs and spine.

 

Fate understood

To be dark and grim,

Yet phases it not

When avengeth he him,

 

Who killed his dear brother

Patroclus dead

And stole brass covered helmet

From wounded head.

 

Anger and sadness

Feed into his soul

Yet pride and honour

Are his main goal.

 

For charging with might

Making glorious sight,

All the men and the lads

Filled with fear or tidings glad,

When they saw him charge out

With a hell-shaking shout.

 

Though vengeance was won

And Hector’s body marred,

Achilles’ fate now

From life of living barred.

 

O son of Thetis,

Why do you proclaim

Great riches and glory

Rain down on your name!

 

Beloved of Zeus

How blind can you be

Hades waits at your side

To take breath out of thee!

 

Achilles, strong spirit

Brave soldier and man

Pain and blood of war

Do you now understand?

 

Honour and glory

Is not yours to gain

If you cover your pride

With another one’s pain.

 

Pride, ah pride!

The death of us all.

Sends warriors, fighters,

Down the dark halls.

 

Most deadly of all

The gods in Olympus,

Make mortals to fall

With blood-stained nimbus.

Author's Note

Let me know if I accurately depicted Achilles' character, and any other comments you might have.