The Achilles Heel: A Myth of Vulnerability

Bhargav Sen Bhowmick
Jul 2, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Nov 23, 2024

Summary: The phrase 'Achilles Heel' comes from Greek mythology and refers to Achilles, a hero who was invulnerable everywhere but his heel, where he died. It is comparable to the Mahabharata, and it offers us all a reminder that we need to recognize our weaknesses and act on them. If we let them burden us, those weaknesses can ultimately help us develop resilience and humility, transforming our Achilles heel into a source of strength.

Introduction:

We’ve all heard about this “Achilles Heel,” right? But who the hell is Achilles, and why is his heel such a big deal?

Well, I certainly have, and being as curious as anyone else, I wanted to dig deeper. After some research, I discovered that the history behind this saying is far deeper than I had anticipated. So, let’s dive in, shall we?

The Myth of Achilles Heel:

Achilles, a Greek hero, was the son of King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis. According to a prophecy, Achilles was destined to die in the Trojan War. To protect him, his mother dipped him into the River Styx, which made him invincible—except for the heel she held him by. That heel remained his only vulnerability.

In the War of Troy, Achilles was ultimately killed by an arrow shot by Paris, guided by Apollo, which struck his unprotected heel.

Why is it Relevant Now?

The Achilles heel is more than just an ancient myth—it’s a timeless lesson that resonates with our lives today. It holds a deeper, philosophical meaning, symbolizing our inherent frailties and insecurities. It reminds us that no matter how perfect or invincible we might appear on the surface, we are all human and have our vulnerabilities.

Drawing parallels from Indian Epics:

A similar story exists in the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Like Thetis, Queen Gandhari sought to make her son, Duryodhana, invincible. Through severe penance, she gained divine powers. Before the Kurukshetra battle, Duryodhana sought her blessing for invincibility. Gandhari instructed him to appear naked before her for the blessing to take full effect.

However, Krishna intervened and advised Duryodhana to cover his privates. As a result, Gandhari’s divine gaze hardened Duryodhana’s body like a diamond—except for his thighs, which were covered. During the war, Bhima, guided by Krishna, struck Duryodhana on his thighs, leading to his downfall.

Understanding our own Achilles heel:

Recognizing our vulnerabilities is essential to navigating life’s challenges. Like Achilles and Duryodhana, we all have weaknesses that, if ignored, can lead to significant consequences. The concept of the Achilles heel serves as a lasting reminder of humility, self-awareness, and the importance of confronting our vulnerabilities.

Embracing our weaknesses allows us to grow and build resilience. Reflect on your own Achilles heel and consider how to transform it into a source of strength. These ancient myths and daily experiences teach us that acknowledging and addressing our vulnerabilities is key to thriving in adversity.

Citations:

Rubens, P. P. (ca. 1630–1635). Death of Achilles. [Painting]. Alamy. Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://www.alamy.com/peter-paul-rubens-the-death-of-achilles-image432870145.html
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Achilles. Britannica. Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Achilles-Greek-mythology
Biswas, A. (n.d.). Answer to "What happened when Gandhari opened her eyes to give power to duryodhan?". Quora. Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://qr.ae/p28kDI