Human Agency Is Nonexistent Throughout The Books

In Song of Achilles Patroclus and Achilles face the fact that knowing their fate doesn’t scare them; it enhances their perception of the war and their relationship; while their own free will makes the book compelling and down to earth as we read it in their own perspective.

In the modern world, people, as a society, have always given themselves a goal or goals that they would like to attain at some point during their lifetime. Many people seek to attain riches, love, happiness or high stature within society. When we people set that goal, we tend to mold our lifestyles around it. As people work throughout their lives to achieve this ultimate goal, it becomes apparent to others what it is we are working so hard for. Just as this pattern is evident in modern society, it can also be seen in the times of Homer, particularly in the great Greek epic, the Iliad. This distinct pattern can be seen in Achilles, one of the most vital characters in the story. Achilles, being the ultimate most powerful warrior of all

Patroclus’ death drives Achilles to seek revenge and Achilles rejoins the battle, vowing to kill everyone related to Hector. The Greek Army, led by Achilles fight their way to Troy, where ultimately Achilles and Hector find themselves alone. Hector, backed into a corner, vows to fight, but loses his nerve as he faces the greatest

Patroclus wants to fight in the battle because the Greeks are losing, so he goes to Achilles crying and requests Achilles to let him fight. Patroclus suggests that he should fight with Achilles’ armor, and Achilles agrees on one condition which is that Patroclus should only drive the Trojans off their ship and not go any further.

Hector has killed good Patroclus and many other friends. May such anger, which upsets the wisest, no longer affect the deathless gods and mortal men!” (145). All of these great qualities Achilles possesses both start two different behavior cycles that start at different times in the epic poem.

Hector’s pride caused him to be clouded with negative thoughts in his quest for revenge as he brutally slaughtered the Trojans and excessively tortured Hector. Nevertheless, Priam’s sorrow causes Achilles to empathize since he could imagine what it would be like if his father had to go through a similar situation like Priam. This change of heart causes Achilles to forgo hatred in exchange for compassion. Although Achilles shows flaws in his character, his heroism even in the brink of death along with this transformative change as a person demonstrates the cultural expectations of strong leadership in terms of taking physical and emotional qualities into strong consideration.

Hector is revered and looked up to by his people, and his status as Prince bolsters this. The Trojan’s admiration in his bravery is what keeps him fighting, knowingly putting himself in great danger and in the hands of death.

In book 22, Hector becomes an instrument of fate and is shown no mercy by Achilles. Hector was consistently tricked by Apollo into fighting the battle even though there was no hope of winning. At the end of the book, as Achilles is bounding towards the city of Troy with Hector standing out front. Despite all of the encouragement to come back inside the city walls, Hector remains outfront and faces his death. Ultimately his pride gets the best of him and he would rather stay out and accept his fate of death, then to come inside and receive shame for leading his people into a losing battle in the first place. Hector chooses to leave his city to fend for itself without its greatest warrior to save himself from shame. The parallel between Hector and Achilles leads to a greater understanding of the theme of freedom vs. fate. Hector gives into his pride and accepts the “fate that awaits us all” and Achilles is motivated by freedom and seeks the revenge of his friend ultimately escaping death. Homer makes an excellent statement of this connection between the two men when he writes: “They ran by these springs, pursuer and pursued, a great man out front, a far greater behind” (book

The fact that Achilles had bravery in times of adversity shows that he should be given glory as a hero. In spite of the fact that Patroclus had died, and it was immensely hard for him to accept the loss of his friend, Achilles decided that Patroclus would have wanted him to be courageous. Achilles rejoined the war, resolved to kill those that had killed his beloved friend. He was not afraid of dying or being badly wounded, but he wanted to make up for his impulsive absence in the war.

This extract from Book 6 of Homer’s The Iliad comes at a point where the Trojans are heavily losing to the Achaeans. Hélenus, son of Priam has instructed Hector to return to the city to gather the elders to tell them to offer prayers to the gods so that goddess Athena may pity Troy. It is interesting that Homer should choose Hector to deliver this message rather than an unimportant character; Homer uses it as a devise to develop Hector and make him a more (if not the most) sympathetic character. He shows his contrasting sides; his family oriented side as opposed to the cruel warrior. The interaction with his child, Astyanax, brings a moment of tenderness and humanises Hector.Hector’s contrasting aspects to his character can be explored through

He then returns the body to Priam and feels guilty about his friend. “Feel no anger at me, Patroclus, if you learn--- even there in the House of Death--- I let his father have Prince Hector back” (Homer). Achilles wants his friend to forgive him and once again has succumbed to the intense emotions he feel that are out of his control. These emotions have Achilles act on rage and impulse.

Achilles knew that the Achaians could not win the war without him. His alienation was the catalyst for the destruction awaiting the Achaians. He was aware of this, but, because of his pride, he did nothing to stop it. When Priam visited Achilles to redeem the body of his son Hektor, Achilles showed a more humane side of himself. “So [Priam] spoke, and stirred in [Achilles] a passion of grieving for his own father” (488; bk.24, ln.507). Priam appealed to Achilles’ human emotions by speaking of his father; he provoked sympathy in Achilles. Achilles had integrated himself with humanity once more and had begun to see life from a mortal point of

Patroclus was, as of what we know, one of Achilles' few friends, and his lack of companions gave him little reason to miss out on the war. His lack of close family also may have led him to pursue his true talents. His father Peleus, king of the Myrmidones had already passed away, and his mother's constant protective nature may have only aided in pushing Achilles away. At his passing, the king of the Myrmidones had left Achilles with great wealth and a great legion of men to command, but possessions seemed to mean little to Achilles; his love was being on the battlefield.

Nestor attempts to influence Patroclus by telling him about his past, hoping that as a result, Patroclus will return to being the soldier and leader that he is inside. Nestor first talks to Patroclus about Achilles himself, but smoothly transitions into his time as a soldier. Nestor tells this story in an attempt to show Patroclus his capabilities by mentioning what other people said to him when he was younger. Nestor intends to help him realize that he should “Let the whole Myrmidon army follow your command - \ you might bring some light of victory to our Argives!” (11.952). From the way Nestor talks about Achilles, it’s implied that he thinks of him as someone who is strong and energetic, using adjectives like “fiery” to describe him, but he uses this to support his case.

His false sense of protection given to him by Achilles leads him to slaughter many Trojans and strengthens his psychological bravery. Patroklos is driven in battle by Achilles’ selfish words, “Don’t come back to me, my brave Patroklos, until you have stripped the blood-stained shirt from Hector’s body!” His loyalty to Achilles keeps Patroklos fighting fiercely, making it difficult for even Hector to defeat him. () Zeus delays Hector’s attack upon Patroklos by reducing Hector’s bravery. Zeus brings Patroklos safety when the first two Trojan spears fall upon him and then takes Achilles’ armor from him because it is not “God’s will that this plumed helmet should be fouled in the dust…”