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ACHILLES HEEL
In Case You Didn’t Know
Achilles Heel
The term "Achilles' heel" refers to a person's point of greatest vulnerability, despite their overall strength. Its origin lies in Greek mythology, particularly in the story of Achilles, one of the greatest warriors of the Trojan War. According to myth, Achilles' mother, Thetis, tried to make him immortal by dipping him into the River Styx. However, she held him by his heel, which did not get submerged in the water, making it his only vulnerable spot.
Achilles grew to be a formidable warrior, seemingly invincible. However, during the Trojan War, he was struck in the heel by an arrow shot by Paris, guided by the god Apollo. This injury proved fatal, leading to the term "Achilles' heel" symbolizing a critical weakness in an otherwise strong entity.
Some examples in Literature are Homer's "Iliad".:While the original "Iliad" by Homer does not detail Achilles' heel specifically, it does chronicle his prowess and eventual downfall, which later myths and interpretations built upon.
William Shakespeare's "Troilus and Cressida".:In this play, Shakespeare references the death of Achilles, contributing to the legend of his heel being his point of vulnerability.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge used the phrase "Achilles' heel" in his writings, helping to popularize the term in English literature.
In modern literature and popular culture, the phrase "Achilles' heel" is frequently used to describe a significant vulnerability. For instance, in Agatha Christie’s "The A.B.C. Murders", a character refers to another's Achilles' heel to denote their weakness.
Similarly, there are phrases whgich bear resemblance in meaning to the term “Achilles Heel” such as "Chink in the armor": This phrase similarly denotes a small but significant vulnerability in someone who is otherwise strong and well-protected.
There is also "Weak link": Used to describe the most vulnerable part of a system or chain of events. Yet another example is the phrase "Soft spot": A term often used to indicate a point of tenderness or vulnerability in an otherwise tough individual.
The concept of the Achilles' heel has permeated various aspects of culture beyond literature. It is used in everyday language to describe a variety of situations where an otherwise strong entity has a critical weakness. The term has also been employed in psychology and medicine, particularly in studies of human vulnerabilities and stress points.
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