# Achilles — Troilus and Cressida character guide

> Achilles in Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the Greeks Achilles, Achilles Old Nestor, The large Achilles, the hart Achilles, god Achilles, Achilles Patroclus, Achilles Thou, Achilles Peace, Achilles Ay

**First appearance:** 0005-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

Greece's greatest champion, sulking in his tent and refusing to fight, stung by the way his fellow commanders now pass him by.

## Who they are

Achilles has withdrawn from battle, and the Greek lords — Agamemnon, Nestor, Menelaus, Ajax — walk past him with pointed indifference. He feels his greatness slipping and reads his own decline in their cold looks, musing that 'greatness, once fall'n out with fortune, must fall out with men too.' His wounded pride and refusal to fight paralyze the Greek cause, and his strange, hungry scrutiny of Hector at the feast signals the danger he still represents.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Proud Greek warrior who is the target of Ulysses' scheme to humble him by sidelining him from the combat.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Intervenes in the fight, reveals Hector's challenge, and dismisses it as 'trash'.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Remains in his tent, refuses to see the Greek commanders, and is described as proud and self-absorbed.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Feels slighted by the Greek commanders' coldness and is provoked by Ulysses' words to consider action.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Confronts Hector with threats and challenges him to a fight tomorrow, but agrees to be friends for the night.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Receives a letter from Queen Hecuba and his Trojan love, vowing to honor his oath over the Greek cause.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Enters demanding Hector, vowing to face him in anger.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi)

Challenges Hector but withdraws, claiming his arms are out of use.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vii)

Commands his Myrmidons to surround and kill Hector.

### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/chapters/act-v-scene-viii)

Achilles leads the Myrmidons in ambushing and killing the unarmed Hector, then orders his body dragged behind his horse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters/achilles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/troilus_and_cressida_se/characters