When Odysseus speaks to Achilles, the great warrior, in the Underworld, he tells him not to "'grieve at having died'" because he is was as honored as the gods while he lived, and now he is "'a mighty lord among the dead [...].'" In other words, Achilles should not mourn the loss of his life because he is so respected and powerful, even in death.
However, Achilles tells Odysseus, "'Mock not at death [...]. Better to be the hireling of a stranger, and serve a man of mean estate whose living is but small, than be the ruler over all these dead and gone.'" In other words, it is better to have a lowly life and be without consequence or fortune than to be dead, no matter how powerful one might be in death. Further, the great sadness of the other shades confirms Achilles's words as truth.
Thus, the theme here is that any life, even a relatively low and powerless one, is far better than even the most honorable death. Life is to be valued.
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