In Homer's Iliad, there are many victims of war such as Sarpedon, Patroclus and Hector, who all die. However, there is another victim of this war who is less talked about, Andromache. Andromache, Hector's wife, highlights the effects of the war on those who remain at home and who must live with its consequences. The epic poem presents her history with Achilles, how caring she is, and how tragic her future will be. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayAchilles, who is often seen as the hero, is truly a villain in Andromache's eyes. Achilles killed his father, his mother and his seven brothers. “I lost my father. Mom left too. Father…the brilliant Achilles struck him down” (Homer 6.491-2). Even though Andromache considers Achilles a villain, she also has a certain respect for him. Achilles inflicted pain on her, but she still respects him. Andromache describes him in a positive light, and is even grateful to him: "He killed Eetion, not that he stripped him of his equipment, he at least had some respect." As a result of Achilles' actions against her family, she is terrified that he will strike again and take the rest of her family. Despite the tragedy in her life, Andromache is still a good-hearted person. The first time she is mentioned is when Hector tries to find her to say goodbye one last time. Without success, he asks a servant: "Where has Andromache gone?... The sanctuary of Athena where the noble Trojan women gather to conquer the great and sinister goddess?" One of the first places she went to was the temple to help with the war. After Hector returns to battle, he gives a speech about his kindness to the horses. “The loving care that Andromache, the generous daughter of Eetion, has lavished on you in abundance.” She gave the horses extravagant food and drink and looked after them before caring for Hector. This shows how caring she was towards others. At the end of the poem, Andromache laments the future that awaits her. Achilles killed Hector as she feared and now she and her child must face the consequences of the soon-to-be-lost war. She cries: “my child will follow me to work, somewhere, in hard and degrading work, enslaving under the gaze of some heartless master.” She had no other way to go because women had very limited options. Andromache continues with the fate of her child very different from her own. “An Achaean marauder will grab you by the arm and throw you from the ramparts – a horrible death.” The fate of her child adds to the tragedy that awaits her.Keep in mind: this is just a sample.Get a personalized article now from our expert writers.Get a personalized essayIn conclusion, Andromache is the real victim of The Iliad. Every member of the family, except their child, killed by Achilles and eventually his child will be killed. And then, to add to that, she had to face a bleak future. Andromache, however, is not the only one to experience this fate. The other women of Troy would have suffered a similar fate. They would be slaves or trophies while their husbands, brothers and sons would be killed. Ultimately, it is women like Andromache who are the true victims of war in Homer's Iliad..