Hektor is the undisputed commander of the Trojan army. No other Trojan warrior approaches Hektor's courage and valor. He is also viewed as the future king of Troy, and as such, he already shows his responsibility to the community. His concern for the Trojan women and for the Trojan community in general define him as a "norm" for Homeric society.
Unwittingly, however, Hektor (the Trojans' best warrior) acts as an agent to bring back Achilles (the Achaians' best warrior) into battle, because after Hektor kills Patroklos, Achilles believes that he has no choice except to revenge Patroklos by killing Hektor. As a result, Hektor will shortly become the victim of Achilles. But it should be stressed that Hektor is trapped by the illusion of a Trojan victory, a victory that was seemingly guaranteed by Zeus himself. That is, Hektor continues a fight that everyone, including himself, knows is doomed by fate because he grasps at the illusion of Trojan victory.
Throughout the epic, Hektor functions largely as a comparison and contrast (or a foil) to Achilles. As a mature man with a family and with strong feelings about his responsibilities, Hektor is a contrast to Achilles' frustrations and passionate outbursts of emotion. Hektor has dedicated his life to the service of others; he is an example of a "model" Homeric man. In contrast, Achilles seems superhuman because of his extremes and excesses. However, both are great warriors and the leading soldiers on their respective sides.
