The Illiad Creative Response

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#4 Hector’s Dilemma – Inner Monologue (Book 22)

Moaning, groaning, creaking, the sound of the gates behind me as if they carry the weight of Troy. My people watch. My wife, my son, “What will they remember me as? Brave… or just a fading memory?”

Achilles. His name is Thunder. His fury burns brighter than the sun at noon. I see him approaching, feet that never go weary, hands soaked in Patroclus’ blood.

But I stay. Gods help me, I stay.

Could I run? Should I run? My legs jerk with the urge. Live to fight again, live to hold Andromache once more, live to kiss my boy’s brow. But what is a life won through shame?

If I run now, all I’ve vowed to protect falls apart. Honor, the bond that holds a man together, would unravel in the rubble behind me.

Yet I know the truth, don’t I? The gods have already spoken. I am but a chapter in their war script. My destiny was knitted long ago by Moira’s fingers. I feel it pulling tight around my chest.

But let the Fates spin as they must. Let Achilles charge with his god-forged rage.

No! I will not run. I will stand. Not for praise. For Troy. For my people behind the wall. For the boy too young to understand why heroes fall.

I chose to write Hector’s inner monologue because it exposes the pressure between personal fear and public duty. In epic poetry, heroes are not only warriors, they are symbolic figures who must struggle with fate, shame, and the expectations of their people. Hector’s choice to face Achilles reflects the genre’s focus on honor, mortality, and legacy.

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Hey Jhianaag, I really enjoyed reading your monologue you beautifully captured Hector’s inner conflict between fear, duty, and honor. The way you described Achilles as “Thunder” and the weight of Hector’s decision felt so vivid and true to the epic tone. You really brought out the tragic beauty of his choice. Can’t wait to read more of your work!

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Hi! Writing Hectors inner monologue is one of the options that I did not feel very confident in but I love how you did it. This was very creative and well written. I also really liked the part where you acknowledged that heroes also have their own struggles.

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Achilles is waiting for me. Even in my fiercest of battles, I’ve never felt fear like this. Everything in my being is telling me to run, to get out of here. But in my heart, I know I have to stay. This is the biggest moment of my life. What kind of man would let others die for him while hiding away?
My father is on the wall, watching me. My mother is praying. I can still feel Andromache’s hands on me from this morning. She begged me not to go, but how could I not? Is honor even worth it if I end up being killed? My name would be a joke if I didn’t go out there. I couldn’t live with myself.
I have to face Achilles, even if it means my end. If I die at the hands of Achilles, at least I will meet my end with courage. I must face him.

I thought that the “Hector’s Dilemma” prompt stood out to me because I would be able to illustrate what was going on in Hector’s mind before going out to fight Achilles. I really like the idea of knowing what a character is thinking before acting. It gives me a better understanding of the story.

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Thank you so much Chasity! Your words truly mean a lot to me. I really tried to tap into Hector’s emotional struggle and show that even the strongest warriors wrestle with fear and love. I’m glad the “Thunder” metaphor for Achilles stood out—it felt like the right way to express the power and pressure he brought into that moment. I appreciate your encouragement, and I’m looking forward to reading more of your work too!

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I completely understand what you mean about feeling unsure; I felt the same way at first! But I’m so glad you connected with the idea that even heroes have their own struggles. It’s something that really stood out to me while reading the text.