But it is usually overlooked that, for all his heroism and for all his adherence to principles, Hector is depicted in Homer with all those psychological weaknesses, with all those constant vacillations and uncertainty, with all that rashness, expansiveness and impulsiveness, sometimes even naïve pride and self-conceit, which can be found in the smallest and most narrow-minded man. Those who like to schematize and turn Homer into a boring and monotonous epic have always practiced mainly on Hector. However, this is not justified by anything if you do not approach Hector with a bias and if you carefully read Homer.

Hector thinks that it costs nothing to seize the golden shield of Nestor and the variegated armor of Diomedes, made by Hephaestus himself (VIII, 191-197). But, of course, nothing comes of it. He is so confident of his victory over the Achaeans that he is ready to compare himself with Apollo and Pallas Athena (537-541), although he himself knows perfectly well that it is not the Achaeans who must perish, but Troy (VI, 548 ff.). It costs him nothing to promise Dolonus the horses of Achilles, and even to swear by the names of Zeus and Hera (X, 329-331). From the retreat of Agamemnon, he immediately again concludes that he was sure to win over the Achaeans (XI, 286-290). But now (XVIII, 254-283) we read the speech of the wise and judicious Poulidamantes, the same age and companion of Hector, as to why it is not necessary to remain on the plain and wait for the appearance of the enraged Achilles.

What does Hector answer him? He was again deceived by his approach to the Achaean ships, again forgot about the impending destruction of Troy, and literally forcibly silenced Pulidamantes (285-297). He is not moved by the heartbreaking sobs and requests not to oppose Achilles, which he hears from his closest and dearest people (XXII, 38-91). But when he saw Achilles, he, who had never feared anyone, suddenly trembled and began to run away, so that he ran around Troy three times in pursuit of him (136-207). Only the deceitful intervention of Pallas Athena convinced him to stop. But even when he meets Achilles, when he speaks to him, he is also torn apart by internal vacillations. Therefore, the lie of the lazy Paris, who, not wanting to fight, compares the warrior spirit of Hector to an indestructible axe (III, 60-63) is all too obvious.

Hector's tragedy is terrible. Meeting Achilles after the chase, he is not at all at a loss and enters into a duel with great courage. However, he very quickly becomes convinced that he was deceived by Pallas Athena and that he was left alone by Deiphobus, in the image of whom this goddess appeared. However, even before that, Homer sternly and inexorably declares (XXII, 5 ff.):

Hector was shackled by a fatal fate, and he was the only one left

In the same place, near the Scaean Gate, in front of the strong city wall.

He, who had always placed so much hope in the gods, is now convinced of their treachery and treachery, and utters words that are full of courage and despair at once (297-305):

Woe is me! To death, as I see, the gods call me!

I believed that the hero Deiphobus was near me, [248]

Он же внутри, за стеной, а меня обманула Афина!

Близко теперь предо мною зловещая смерть, недалеко!

Не убежать от нее! Уж давно это стало угодней

Зевсу и сыну его Дальновержцу, которые раньше

Мне помогали всегда. Сегодня судьба настигает!