Final answer:
Achilles's act of desecrating Hector's body was a breach of Greek warfare ethics, highlighting the values of honor and respect. His eventual return of Hector's body represents reverence for battle decorum and divine will. These actions exemplify Greek emphasis on heroism and the importance of reputation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significant act of Achilles desecrating Hector's body in the Iliad was a serious breach of ancient Greek values surrounding warfare and respect for the dead. This act is significant because it goes against the Greek expectation of showing honor to a fallen enemy by providing him with a proper burial, which was essential for the deceased's soul to find peace. Furthermore, public excellence and fear of shame were driving forces in Greek culture, emphasizing the importance of one's actions and reputation.
When Achilles chooses to return Hector's body to the Trojans, it is partly due to divine intervention, emphasizing the belief in the gods' role in human affairs, and revealing that, despite moments of intense personal grievance or rage, there remained an underlying expectation for certain codes of behavior to be ultimately respected. The act also reinforces heroic values such as nobility and compassion, even towards one's enemies, as part of the Greek heroic code.
Moreover, Achilles's earlier life and the fate of other Greek heroes like Ajax demonstrate the cultural values surrounding heroism and the hero cults that arose from worshiping fallen warriors. These cults and the tales from Homer's Iliad convey the Greek emphasis on public performance, strength in battle, and eloquence in rhetoric as forms of dominance and excellence.