Achilles Heel
The phrase “Achilles heel” refers to a weakness or vulnerability despite overall strength. It signifies a point where someone, or something, can be defeated, despite appearing invincible. This weakness can be physical, emotional, or a character flaw. The phrase carries a weight of inevitability, suggesting that even the strongest can fall due to a single, critical vulnerability.
Origin of “Achilles Heel”
The origin of this evocative phrase lies in Greek mythology, specifically the story of Achilles, a legendary warrior in the Trojan War. Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a sea nymph, attempted to make her son immortal as an infant. She dipped him into the River Styx, the river separating the world of the living from the underworld. This act was believed to grant invulnerability. However, Thetis held Achilles by one heel during the immersion, leaving that part of his body untouched by the magical waters. This heel remained vulnerable.
During the Trojan War, Achilles proved to be an unstoppable force, a formidable warrior who led the Greeks to many victories. However, he was ultimately slain by an arrow shot by Paris, guided by Apollo, which struck his unprotected heel. This tragic event cemented the heel as the symbolic weak point, the single vulnerability that brought down a seemingly invincible hero.
The first documented use of the phrase in English appears in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s essay, published in Friend in 1810. Coleridge wrote about Ireland as “that vulnerable heel of the British Achilles,” demonstrating an early metaphorical application of the myth to political vulnerability. Over time, the phrase has evolved from a detailed allusion to the myth to a widely understood idiom for any critical weakness.
Analysis of “Achilles Heel” in Literature
The enduring power of the “Achilles heel” phrase in literature stems from its rich symbolism. It’s not simply about physical vulnerability; it speaks to the universal human condition of imperfection. Even the most heroic figures, the most seemingly powerful forces, harbor a hidden weakness. This creates dramatic tension and allows for compelling character development.
The “Achilles heel” isn’t always immediately obvious. A character’s vulnerability may be deeply buried, a secret shame, a hidden fear, or an ingrained character flaw. Revealing this weakness or witnessing it exploited often forms the climax of a narrative. It’s a powerful literary device for creating empathy and highlighting the fragility of power.
Example 1: “Complaint of Achilles’ Heel” by Charles Jensen
Everyone’s so quick to blame my
tenderness. My wound opening like a mouth
to kiss an arrow’s steel beak.A beautiful man, now, plants his face
in Trojan sand while I tell
the secrets of his body—make the ground red with truth.
Red with the death of Achilles, felled
by an arrow’s bite when nothing—nothing—could puncture his Kevlar skin.
Everyone skips ahead to the moral: don’t
be a heel. For just one day I feltsun where the chafing bonds of sandal
should have been. Without me, he’d be
just more fodder for the cannon.I made him a hero, Troy’s poster
boy. Everyone forgets I was part of him,
I needed him—that even as he died,I tasted each pulse—
that I could not hold back its rush of red
birds or the season to which they flew.
In this poem, Charles Jensen cleverly inverts the traditional interpretation of the myth. He identifies himself with the wound and the Achilles heel rather than with the hero. He argues that his capacity for empathy and vulnerability is seen as the flaw. The poem suggests that society often vilifies vulnerability while ignoring that it is an essential part of being human and that it allows for connection. The poem is a meditation on the price of strength and the overlooked value of weakness.
Example 2: The Achilles Heels by Karyn Rae
Karyn Rae’s suspense novel utilizes the phrase “The Achilles Heels” to highlight the concealed vulnerabilities of her characters. The story centers around a woman unraveling a conspiracy after her husband’s supposed accidental death. The title suggests that everyone harbors secret weaknesses—hidden fears, past mistakes, or compromised relationships—that can be exploited. The narrative revolves around uncovering these “Achilles heels” to reveal the truth and expose the perpetrators. The use of the plural “Heels” emphasizes that vulnerability is a common human trait, not limited to a single individual.
Example 3: “Achilles Heel” – written by Joseph Washbourn and sung by Toploader
Goodbye to the sky
You know I can’t fly but I feel love
Do you know how I feel
You are my Achilles heel
Hello to below
I feel love flow like a river
I’m standing still
You are my Achilles heel
Feeling free yeah what about me
Well you gotta give it up cause I feel love
Do you know how I feel
You are my Achilles heel
Goodbye to the sky
You know I can’t fly but I feel love
Do you know how I feel
You are my Achilles heel
But there’s a child in our eyes
And the child never dies
So keep the dream alive
When the air I suck inside
I can push with all my might
And the statue in the sky
With my Achilles heel.
This song uses the phrase metaphorically to represent the intoxicating power of love. The singer acknowledges that love is his vulnerability and his weakness, and that it could potentially bring him down. The repetition of “You are my Achilles heel” emphasizes the all-consuming nature of this love. The song beautifully illustrates how even a positive force like love can simultaneously be a source of strength and vulnerability.
Beyond Literature: Usage and Nuances
The phrase “Achilles heel” extends far beyond literary analysis. It’s a common idiom used in everyday language to describe any critical weakness or vulnerability. It can be applied to individuals, organizations, systems, or even abstract concepts.
Here are a few examples of its usage in sentences:
- “The lack of a strong defense is this country’s Achilles heel.”
- “His stubbornness is his Achilles heel; he refuses to listen to good advice.”
- “Poor customer service is the Achilles heel of this company.”
- “Her fear of public speaking is her Achilles heel, preventing her from advancing her career.”
The phrase often carries a sense of inevitability. It suggests that even a seemingly invincible entity will eventually succumb to its weakness. This makes it a powerful and evocative idiom that resonates with audiences across cultures and contexts.