Lecture - Achilles and the figure of the hero

What did it mean to be a “hero” in ancient Greece? How did this figure differ from our modern idea of heroism? This lecture explores two of the greatest heroes in Homer’s Iliad—Achilles and Hector—, whose stories and values reveal two contrasting models of heroism.

Achilles, for his part, embodied an excessive heroism driven by anger, the quest for glory, and a sense of brutality. Hector, on the other hand, was guided more by duty, responsibility, and family values. These two fascinating figures reveal a concept of heroism that is both rich and surprising.

With Marie-Hélène Mainguy, Lecturer in the Department of Literature, Theatre, and Film at Université Laval. After earning a bachelor’s in classical studies, Marie-Hélène Mainguy received her master’s in Latin literature at Université Laval in 2006. She then began a doctorate in Greek literature, for which she has completed all coursework. She has taught at this institution since 2012 with a focus on ancient Greece, mythology, and Greek and Latin literature.