Iliad Books 5-6 Question #7
While the battles raging outside the walls of Troy describe a physical conflict between two peoples, the meeting between Hector and Andromache represents a conflict of social values. Hector represents the warrior values of honor, in his wish to go out and fight alongside his brethren even if it leads to his death, and Andromache represents familial values in that she wishes for Hector to stay safe for the sake of his family. He places greater value on the respect of his comrades at arms, while she places it upon father- and husband-hood. For this reason, Andromache reproaches Hector for his disregard for his own safety in his aggressive, emotional style of fighting. When she pleads with him to take pity on her, she means that his death would be a punishment to her and their son, and so he should take pity and try to keep himself safe. Her plea is both justified and selfish. While their son needs a father, and Hector is the only family Andromache has left, without Hector’s fighting, the Trojans would retreat and suffer greater losses, causing other women to lose their husbands and other sons to lose their fathers. She is not morally justified in her request because while she can advise Hector, in the end it is his life to live and his city to protect.