After Agamemnon decides that he will only return the girl if he receives another in return, Achilles states, "Son of Atreus, most lordly, greediest for gain of all men,/ How shall the great-hearted Achaians give you a prize now/ No, for the present give the girl back to the god; we Achaians/ Thrice and four times over will repay you, if ever Zeus gives/ Into our hands the strong-walled citadel of Troy to be plundered" (Homer, 1.122-129). This excerpt exhibits Achilles honor and nobility as a warrior because although this confrontation may put him in an unfavorable position with Agamemnon, he takes the chance for his dying comrades, thus making it a truly selfless act. This reading also exhibits a tremendous amount of confidence Achilles has in himself and the Achaian army that he assures Agamemnon of the victory over Troy as compensation for a compromise. This confidence of a victory exemplifies Achilles own faith in the cause and in his men, an ideal characteristic for any heroic leader. Though Achilles does hold key characteristics of a hero, these characteristics are subject to rapid change and are inconsistent for the majority of the book. .
After having been offended by Achilles' suggestion at giving up his prize without fair compensation, Agamemnon declares that he will only give up Chryseis if in return he can have Achilles prize, Briseis. Knowing that he cannot refuse his kings request, Achilles does what he is told. Out of spite, he decides to remove himself from battle until his honor is restored. With intent to fully prove his point, he calls forth his mother, Thetis, goddess of the sea. Upon her arrival he explains the situation and asks for her to appeal to Zeus for a favor. Achilles then states, "If perhaps he might be willing to help the Trojans,/ And pin the Achaians back against the ships and the water,/ Dying, so that this they may all have profit of their own king,/ That Atreus' son wide-ruling Agamemnon may recognize his madness,/ That he did no honor to the best of the Achaians" (Homer, 1.
