The Iliad

Hector is a more noble character than Achilles

In "The Iliad", Hector is a valiant warrior while Achilles is a talented warrior. Hector kills Patroclus (Achilles's friend) in war under the impression that he was Achilles. As retaliation Achilles kills Hector, but then drags his body around the city practically disgracing his memory. Hector and Achilles are both killers. They both did evil things that can't be undone but, the way they acted afterwards was completely different. Hector tries to redeem himself, while Achilles' only thought is revenge.

As James Weigel says, "Achilles' life seems tragic, Hector's life is one of pathos, but the pathos of a man fighting heroically against overwhelming odds". One can see how Achilles' life was doomed from the start, but that does not excuse his unforgivable actions after he enacted his vengeance. Hector knows that if he fights Achilles he will die, but he doesn't back down. As said by Hector, "I would not die without delivering a stroke, or die ingloriously, but in some action memorable to men in days to come". Hector wants to die with some honor and dignity. Achilles takes this, his one dying wish, away from him. Achilles states, "Hector, I'll have no talk of pacts with you". He is disrespectful even in this time of war, when honor and respect is all you can possibly hope for.

Mr. Weigel comments about Achilles,"His tragic flaw lies in the savage intensity of his emotions". Achilles doesn't know how to be rational. He goes with his first instinct and it's not always the right one. On the other hand, Hector is very rational. He is smart and realistic. He knows his defeat is inevitable, yet he perseveres. Hector represents the good side of human kind. James Weigel states, "Humans, finally, have more dignity than the gods because they choose their actions in the face of death, while the gods have no such necessity, being immortal." In other words, humans can be seen as more dignified than the gods, because they have overcome challenges with the knowledge that doing so could kill them, but the gods don't have to worry about that, so therefore in this sense they cannot be more dignified. If you compared Achilles and Hector like this you can see that because Achilles has the better skills at fighting, facing Hector is no problem; but Hector facing Achilles takes bravery because he knows that he can't win. Hector's actions take nobility. 

This is why when asked the question, who is a more noble character between the two, my answer is Hector. Hector knows where to draw the line, even in a time of war. Achilles breaks these cardinal rules of war. Achilles has no morals or ideals when it comes to his revenge on Hector. Hector has the courage to fight to the end, while Achilles brags and boasts about his "accomplishment". His fighting in a blind rage is not commendable. Hector is someone that you can admire for his actions, and furthermore his valor.