What is "anger of pride"??

Question

This is a topic of discussion from the Greek book, The Iliad.

Answer 1

Achilles The Tragic Hero

[Taken from Richmond Lattimore's translation of the Iliad]

The function of Achilles in the Iliad of itself necessitates certain qualities. The necessary man must be a supreme warrior, but in station and as a king he ranks below Agamemnon. As a hero of tragedy, he is great, but human and imperfect. His tragedy is an effect of free choice by a will that falls short of omniscience and is disturbed by anger. In the Iliad his supremacy as a warrior is scarcely challenged, and is insisted upon at all times. But his supremacy is powered by gods who favor, strengthen, and protect him. Achilles is not in any sense immortal. He is closer to the gods than other heroes, but defers to them generally. Achilles is prescient beyond others, but his knowledge has limitations, and his character can be invaded by the human emotions of grief, fear, and above all, anger. It is the anger of pride, the necessary accompaniment of the warrior's greatness, that springs the tragedy of the Iliad. Despite his rage, he is a man of culture and intelligence. Above all, Achilles is a real man, mortal and fallible, but noble enough to make his own tragedy a great one.