The Death Of Achilles

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.

Many people have heard of Achilles, whether in Greek Mythology or when referring to the tendon in their foot. He is well known in the Iliad as the main force for the Achaeans in the Trojan War, dubbed the “swiftest warrior,” “Achilles dear to Zeus”, and “brilliant runner.” However many do not know the story of Achilles when he walks away from the Achaean campaign over a scuffle of war prizes. His action cripples the Achaean army, costing the lives of many. The story of the Trojan War is one where Achilles ultimately leads the Achaeans to Troy and kills Hector outside Priam’s walls. However, it was Patroclus, Achilles’ brother-in-arms, who should be accredited with the Achaean victories and know for his success against the Trojans in the

The death of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest and most beloved companion, causes Achilles to be driven into a rage so intense and so focused at the source of his fury that he loses all common decency towards his target. After Hector slays

The shield is unique for the engravings it bears on its surface, however, its greater significance lies in what it represents, especially to Achilles’ being. At her son’s birth, Thetis knew that Zeus had fated Achilles to die if he spilled Hector’s blood. Despite warning him of this, Thetis could not sway her son’s decision to avenge Patrocles and kill Hector. Therefore, it is known from this point on that Achilles would soon die. Once he puts on the new armor, Achilles accepts his impending doom, and even accepts it earlier as he speaks to his mother, saying,

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.

Achilles mission is to slaughter Patroclus’ killer, prince Hector. After a game of ‘hide and seek’, Hector decides to confront

Patroclus: A Hero For my Hero essay I chose to write about Patroclus. Patroclus was friend of Achilles who went into battle to fight in place of Achilles. He had all the courage, he showed us how to do the things we might be afraid of but we know need to be done. He was faithful until the end, never backing down or giving up even when things were hard. Most importantly he died doing what he believed in, anyone who does that will be considered a hero.

Once Achilles decides to go after Hector to seek revenge for his fallen comrades death, he seals his fate of living a short life full of glory, rather than going back home to live a quiet, uneventful life in peace. This shows a dramatic reversal in Achilles character as his desire to defend his loved ones overcomes his pride from defying Agamemnon. In honor of Patroclus, Achilles comes out from the Achaean ships and

Thetis returns and presents the armor she had promised Achilles and he agrees that no mortal could have produced a product of that quality. In fact the armor was so bright that no one dared look directly at it. Achilles still mourning the death of his friend is promised by Thetis that the body would be protected. With that settled Achilles, now armed, is ready to jump into battle and claim the blood of Hector, however Odysseus convinces him to allow the men to eat first. Brisies also mourns the death of the friend, which makes Zeus feel bad, so Zeus sent Athena to fill Achilles stomach with nector so that he would not be weak during battle. Afterwords Achilles prepares for battle with armor and chariot

The major war, at the Bronze Age, end of thirteenth century is described in the epic Iliad by Homer that underlines suffering as a major theme as the effect of battles. It happened in the city of Troy due to avenge the abduction of Helen, daughter of Zeus and wife of one of the Greek kings, by a Trojan prince. Many characters in the epic go through a lot of suffering. Achilles, king of Phthia, greatest warrior in the poem fights in the battles, loses his best friend while his honor and integrity means so much to him and this dilemma causes him suffering. Priam, king of Troy, suffers crucial loss of his most beloved son, Hector that is killed by Achilles in madness. Helen, as many other women in this epic watch helplessly as their loved ones

Achilles’ insolent pride backfires on him when he becomes ultimately responsible for the death of his best friend Patroclus. Although Achilles still refuses to fight, he allows Patroclus to where his armor into battle. The sight of what the Trojans think is Achilles terrorizes them at first, but Apollo pushes him down and knocks off Patroclus’ armor. Hector sees the injured imposter on the ground and delivers a fatal wound. Only now, out of personal grief, does Achilles return to the battle.

I was privy to many discussions and arguments that took place behind the backs of the soldiers’ leadership as to why they should do what they were being commanded to do by them. All too often soldiers begin to become complacent when they feel over taxed by their leadership or taken advantage of and become pathos driven when they cannot see the fruits of their labor coming to fruition during war or even peacekeeping missions; especially long deployments such as Iraq, Afghanistan or Kosovo. Achilles speech in “The Envoys Plead with Achilles” is pathos driven because it exemplifies aspects of emotionally driven complacency experienced in war due to selfish deceitful leadership, length of deployments, and a feeling

The link that the book The Song of Achilles holds with many audience members is held in the way Achilles and Patroclus click like puzzle pieces. One thing is that many readers of the book see the relationship and the hardships that the two main characters experience and understand it. Achilles and Patroclus lived in a time where their level of dependency and love was frowned upon greatly. On page 369 there is a quote that perfectly describes the extravagance of the two men's love; "In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun." The link the narration creates between characters and reader also changes the entire atmosphere

Patroclus has been Achilles’ best friend ever since they were children. They were constantly together, whether it was simply enjoying each other’s company or in the fray of battle. However, when Achilles decides to sit out of the war, Patroclus goes to battle alone. Achilles lends Patroclus his armor, but tells him not to go past the ships. Patroclus, caught up in battle, ignores Achilles and continues to show off by

In the book The Iliad, by Homer, the main character, Achilles, is a Greek warrior who is part divine and part human. During the story, Achilles undergoes the steps in becoming a hero. Each of these steps prepares him for the final moment, when he becomes a hero. Achilles is a hero because he goes through many of the steps necessary in the path to becoming a hero.