1. Neoptolemus is described through Odysseus' memory in Book 11 (p. 266, line 576). At this point in the book, Odysseus is in the House of Death...the underworld. He is talking to the "ghosts" or spirits of many men who have died in war. Although Neoptolemus never actually appears in the book, memories of him are recalled at this time.
2. Neoptolemus is Achilles' son who fought at Troy with Odysseus. Odysseus has met with Achilles in the underworld, who has asked him for news about his "gallant" son (559). Achilles wants to know if his "boy" became a champion, and from Odysseus's description, it is clear that he has. Neoptolemus was a leader who never gave up. He was a strong and loyal soldier, always ready and willing to put himself in the line of fire. This description of Neoptolemus makes Achilles happy and proud of his son. Since coming to the underworld, he has always wondered about his son, and Odysseus now put all his questions and worries at ease.
3. Neoptolemus can be compared to Telemachus because they are both described, in one way or another, as transforming from a boy to a man. In Books 1 and 2, Telemachus is a boy, whereas in Books 3 and 4, we see that he has grown to be a powerful man. This is similar to the information we get about Neoptolemus. Achilles asked Odysseus about the status of his son because he wanted to know if the young boy he once knew turned into a strong man. This is proved to be true when we read about all of his triumphant battles, his committment, and his leadership as a soldier. Along with this, both Neoptolemus and Telemachus have powerful, heroic fathers that they are compared to (Odysseus and Achilles). Knowing this makes us think about the pressure they both had in combat since they were the sons of strong and powerful men. In many ways, they had to be courageous to keep the fame and prove themselves.
4. Neoptolemus is a hero because he is not only powerful and brave, but he is also someone who "saved the day." He is shown to be brave when Odysseus said he was a soldier who would "always charge ahead" (585). Also, when the other men were scared and crying during tough times, Neoptolemus remained strong and eager to win. His courage made him stand above the rest and overcome the obstacles that the men faced. Odysseus described how he "never flicked a tear" and always "begged" to go out and fight (602,603). Then, once he had saved the day and "sacked King Priam's craggy city" (607), he left on his ship without any war wounds. This young boy that Achilles once knew certainly turned into a powerful hero that remains in the memory of Odysseus.
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BA#3 comment
Although we don't get alot of information about Neoptolemus, we get just enough to tell us what kind of person he is. Overall Neoptolemus fits my description of a hero. He is brave, and fearless,"Never once did I see his glowing skin go pale" (11.601). "Not a wound from a flying spear or sharp sword (11.610). He fought great battles and killed many many men. Neoptolemus is also mentioned as gallant and glorious (11.617) which means he is noble and polite. With what we were told we could consider him a hero, but what about the things we weren't told? Everyone has their faults, what were Neoptolemus's?
I also agree with what was said about Neoptolemus being compared to Telemachus. They have alot of things in common such as great heroic fathers, they both go from boys to men, and they are both brave. I also notices some differences, for example, Telemachus has never fought in a battle where as Neoptolemus has and has killed many men, and Telemachus is getting alot of help from the gods and we don't exactly know if Neoptolemus got any help from the gods or not.
I too would agree that Neoptolemus is a hero. In the reading it is stated that he "always spoke up first"(11.2581), "never hang back"(583), and "always charged ahead"(584). This shows that he was a true team player and that he was brave. He would do what ever it took to help his men to victory, even if it meant risking his life to do so. I believe these are true acts of a hero.
I am not altogether sure that Neoptolemus is a hero just because he remained strong and eager to win. Because of Odysseus' description of Neoptolemus, one would think that he mimics Odysseus himself. He is not courageous, but confident. This confidence reminds me of Odysseus and his overreaction to freedom from the Cyclops. It almost foreshadows a possible future confrontation (in his memory of events).
Brave, honest, fearless, outgoing, and some one to look up those are a few good qualities in a hero. After reading about Neoptolemus in Book 11.580 it is clear that he posses most of these qualities. We learn that he his very strategic… “Debating battle tactics”, he always spoke up, and was always ready. Also as we continued to read we learned that he was very fearless, he always took charge, and that he killed many men. But does that absolutely make you a hero? After reading book 11, I would not agree that Neoptolemus was a hero. Even though he did a lot of good deeds I felt as if he did it for self-fulfillment. Everything he did I think he did it to better his name so his legacy and prophecy could live on. Another reason why I don’t think that he is a hero is because he his living out the life his father wants him to live not his own. I also felt that Neoptolemus was very arrogant some what like Odysseus. “He kept on begging me …book 11.603, he was just so anxious to make a name for his self.
BA#3 Comment #2
According to our class description of what defines a hero, I believe Neoptolemus is hero because "he'd always charge ahead" (11.585) which shows him being brave, "battling for the Argives" (11.589) shows that he was selfless, he was fighting for other people, "kept on begging me there to let him burst from the horse" (11.603) this shows that he was willing to face death and he was brave. Odysseus never does mention any negative aspects about Neoptolemus, but I still believe he was a hero because he was willing to fight for the Argives.
I agree that Neoptolemus is a hero by our class’ definition. It is true that he has fought valiantly beside Odysseus, and made his mark as a leader. Neoptolemus fearlessly defeated innumerable “scores of men… in bloody combat” (11.590), which dictates his insatiable thirst for blood that was shed during the war. We also learn that Neoptolemus is a brave soldier, and Odysseus commends him on his courageous image. On further inspection, Odysseus “never… see[s] his glowing skin go pale” (11.601), which further reinforces Neoptolemus gallantry during a wartime situation. In today’s war on terror, we can call any soldier who is “over there” a hero. Neoptolemus is a dedicated soldier who takes pride in his standing in the army, and is willing to shed blood for his cause; just as a present soldier must take into account when his or her life is in danger. Neoptolemus does not think twice on the task that is hand, and is ready to erupt from the wooden horse even before he is instructed.
Neoptolemus is seen as a hero because of his endless bravery and his innate ability to be fearless and lead during battle. “Keen to loose his fighting fury against the Trojans” (11.605). I believe that by our standards in class for a hero that Neoptolemus is a hero. During battles he would storm ahead risking his own life for others and that is extremely heroic. Personally I see that characteristic as being the most heroic, risking your own life for others. It is a very selfless action.
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