Achilles, although not completely responsible for the death of his friend, also holds liability in Patroclus
Patroclus
In Greek mythology, as recorded in Homer's Iliad, Patroclus was a close friend and wartime companion of Achilles. He was the son of Menoetius, grandson of Actor, King of Opus.
How does Achilles feel about Patroclus'death?
For Achilles, the death of Patroclus is personal; he regards the actions of Hector in killing Patroclus as an insult to him. So even when he finally returns to the fray, Achilles is fighting to avenge the death of his fallen friend and comrade, not for the greater glory of the Achaeans in their seemingly never-ending war with the Trojans.
How does Patroclus die in the Iliad?
Patroclus succeeds in beating back the Trojan forces, but is killed in battle by Hector. News of Patroclus’ death reaches Achilles through Antilochus, which throws him into deep grief. The earlier steadfast and unbreakable Achilles agonizes, touching Patroclus’ dead body, smearing himself with ash and fasting.
How does Achilles die in the Iliad?
Achilles is enraged when Patroclus is killed by Hector. Achilles will not eat or drink until he exacts revenge upon Hector, even though he knows killing Hector will result in his own death. Achilles' mother tries to help him by having Hephaestus make a new armor for him, but Achilles will die soon anyway.
Who was responsible for Patroclus death?
Who is Responsible for Patroclus' death in the Iliad? Although Hector drove the spear home, it can be argued that Zeus, Achilles, or even Patroclus himself, was ultimately responsible for his death. Zeus determined Patroclus would fall to Hector after Patroclus killed his own son on the battlefield.
What happened to Achilles when Patroclus died?
After his death, Achilles is cremated, and his ashes are mixed with those of his dear friend Patroclus. The Odyssey describes a huge tomb of Achilles on the beach at Troy, and Odysseus meets Achilles during his visit to the underworld, among a group of dead heroes.
Who is guilty of killing Patroclus?
Paris Was the Brother of Trojan Prince Hector Trojan Prince Hector – Paris' brother – killed Achilles' closest friend Patroclus. Achilles enacted his revenge on Hector, first by brutally murdering him, and then by ruthlessly dragging Hector's body around Patroclus' grave three times.
Who dies first Achilles or Patroclus?
One of the most substantial moments in the Iliad that many use to support the idea of a romantic relationship is how Achilles reacts after Patroclus dies. His death occurs because Achilles refuses to fight to protect his honor, so Patroclus dresses up in Achilles' armor and goes out to the battlefield.
Did Achilles sleep with Patroclus corpse?
In the end, Achilles will be cleansed of the blood that covers him only after he lays Patroclus on the pyre and cuts his own hair (Iliad 23.44–46).
Was Achilles A top or bottom?
Achilles was def the bottom. No way Greece's mightiest, nigh unkillable demigod didn't just wanna lay back, relax, and have someone else do the grunt work for a change.
Why did Achilles give Patroclus his armor?
Patroclus wanted to wear Achilles' armor to intimidate the Trojans and lead the Greeks to victory, but Achilles had his mom ask Zeus to support the Trojans since he was shamed and wanted the Greeks to lose. He even thought Patroclus sounded whiny when asking to wear his armor.
Does Patroclus disguise himself as Achilles?
Because Achilles refused to help the Achaeans battle the Trojans, a discontented Patroclus took the matter into his own hands by requesting activation into battle disguised as Achilles in the hope of sending the Trojans into a full retreat from the sight of him.
Are Achilles and Patroclus buried together?
Achilles would refuse to allow the body of Patroclus to be buried, and Thetis, the mother of Achilles, anointed the body with ambrosia to prevent it from decomposing. Eventually the ghost of Patroclus came to Achilles, to ask for proper funeral rites so that he might continue his journey in the Underworld.
Did Patroclus cheat Achilles?
There are some scenes which seem a bit odd and don't really sit comfortably with the rest of the narrative - the river-god-fighting, and a very odd scene in which Patroclus has sex with Achilles' wife, thereby cheating on his boyfriend by committing adultery with his boyfriend's wife, which seems Not Okay to me - but ...
What did Achilles call Patroclus?
Achilles says that he had forgotten to say that he wishes for Patroclus as his companion, or therapon. Therapon was the word he used. A brother-in-arms sworn to a prince by blood oaths and love.
Why is Patroclus death important?
Patroclus is important because his death leads to a chain of events that ultimately ends in the deaths of many people, including the Trojan warrior Hector and Achilles himself. Patroclus is a disposable character in that he largely exists to spur Achilles into action.
What does Achilles say after Patroclus died?
Thetis wept and answered, “Then, my son, is your end near at hand—for your own death awaits you full soon after that of Hector.” Then said Achilles in his great grief, “I would die here and now, in that I could not save my comrade.
Did Achilles really ask to be buried with Patroclus?
Achilles did not allow the burial of Patroclus' body until the ghost of Patroclus appeared and demanded his burial in order to pass into Hades. Patroclus was then cremated on a funeral pyre, which was covered in the hair of his sorrowful companions.
Why did Achilles give Patroclus his armor?
Patroclus wanted to wear Achilles' armor to intimidate the Trojans and lead the Greeks to victory, but Achilles had his mom ask Zeus to support the Trojans since he was shamed and wanted the Greeks to lose. He even thought Patroclus sounded whiny when asking to wear his armor.
How did Achilles grieve Patroclus?
When Patroclus is slain, the pivotal moment of grief for Achilles, Achilles is thrown into despair. Then, he emerges from it, doom-driven and furious, to exact revenge upon Hector and his kin, those who took Patroclus from him.
What is Patroclus' liability?
Patroclus main liability lies in his hubris when he approaches Achilles regarding the use of his armor. His original presentment of himself to Achilles was much like that of a baby throwing a tantrum. He yearns to have the glory of his good friend on the battlefield and hopes that he can achieve this honor by wearing Achilles’ shining armor. “…let me go at least…put your armour upon my shoulders, and perhaps the Trojans may think it is you…and it will be easy for us…to drive weary men from our camp away to their city.” (Page 188) This excerpt from Patroclus’ foolish prayer for Achilles’ shield shows the reader that Patroclus believes that with the armor upon his shoulders he may easily be as great as Achilles’ in battle. His pride led him to beg his friend for the special privilege, eventually goading him into relinquishing the prized shield. Achilles mentions to Patroclus that he is “crying like a baby”, allowing the reader to see that even Patroclus’ best friend can sense his hubris. Although Achilles warns his best friend of the dangers in parading himself as someone with super-human strength, Patroclus “lost no time” (page 190) in putting on the magnificent armor.
What is a tragic hero?
The definition of a tragic hero was a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy that was destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. A tragic hero was a literary character who made an error of judgment or had a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on tragedy. A tragic hero is usually good, but makes bad decisions, associated with a tragic flaw that haunts the ...
What does Achilles do when Hector kills Patroclus?
Achilles is enraged when Patroclus is killed by Hector. Achilles will not eat or drink until he exacts revenge upon Hector, even though he knows killing Hector will result in his own death. Achilles' mother tries to help him by having Hephaestus make a new armor for him, but Achilles will die soon anyway. Achilles' anger is so great that he goes on a murderous rampage, killing so many Trojans that the river Scamander is overflowing with the dead bodies of Trojan warriors. Killing Hector isn't enough for Achilles, however; he then drags his body back to the Greek camp in front of Hector's family.
What is Achilles' grief at the news?
Achilles's grief at the news is intense, and when it begins to evolve it turns to blind rage. If Achilles's prior motivation in the Trojan War had been to earn glory, he now has a personal reason to defeat the Trojans, and specifically Hector. Grief and "ruinous" anger (and likely some self-incrimination for allowing Patroclus to fight without him) find expression in Achilles's vengeful pursuit of Hector, whom he not only kills but also desecrates, dragging his body around the gates of Troy and taking it back to the Greek camp.
Who was Achilles' best friend?
To prevent seemingly imminent defeat, Achilles' best friend (and, in some readings, his lover), Patroclus, begs Achilles to let him use Achilles' famous armor in battle. Achilles reluctantly lets him use it, and Patroclus staves off defeat before dying in battle with Hector.
Who did Hector kill?
Hector, thinking he was encountering Achilles, ends up killing Patroclus. When he discovers he has killed the wrong man, Hector seems to glory over Achilles, suggesting that Achilles was not powerful enough to protect Patroclus (Book 16). Achilles's grief at... (The entire section contains 5 answers and 956 words.)
What did Achilles do to avenge the death of Patroclus?
Achilles was distraught about the death of his friend. He vowed to avenge the death of Patroclus and re-entered the battle by challenging Hector to single combat.
Why did Patroclus ask Achilles to borrow armor?
As the Trojans pushed toward the Greek ships, Patroclus tried another tactic. He asked to borrow Achilles armor so he could enter the battle looking like Achilles. He said that the Achilles' helmet would hide his face and no one would realize it was not Achilles. His goal was to inspire the Greek army and turn the tide of battle. Achilles reluctantly agreed and loaned Patroclus his armor, but he also asked Patroclus to be careful. He warned Patroclus to only push the Trojan army away from the ships and not get carried away with the battle.
What was the Trojan War?
Homer's epic poem the Iliad records the events of the Trojan War. The war lasted ten years with the Greek army laying siege to the city of Troy. As a warrior, Patroclus was not considered one of the greats like his best friend Achilles, but Patroclus played a major role in the Greek victory over the Trojan host. The death of Patroclus was one of the major turning points in the ten-year siege, and it prompted the hero Achilles to challenge the Trojan hero Hector to single combat.
How did Agamemnon try to entice Achilles to fight again?
Agamemnon tried to entice Achilles to fight again by sending three of the Greek heroes to return Briseis and offer other incentives for Achilles to enter the battle. Achilles refused to fight for the Greeks.
What was the turning point in the Trojan War?
The death of Patroclus, friend to the famed hero Achilles, was a major turning point in the Trojan War. Explore an overview of the mythology of the Trojan War and discover the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, the importance of Agamemnon and Briseis, and how Patroclus' death spurred Achilles's vengeance. Updated: 09/14/2021
Why did the Greek army conduct funeral games?
One of these rites included competitive games. The purpose of the games was to bring together enemies in a common celebration. The funeral games for Patroclus served as a healing opportunity for the Greek army.
Who defeated Hector in the Trojan War?
The battle between Achilles and Hector marked the beginning of the end of the city of Troy. Achilles defeated Hector and, in an act of vengeance, dragged Hector's body around the walls of Troy three times tied to the back of a chariot. The death of Hector, the greatest of the Trojan heroes, led to the downfall of the city. But it was the death of Patroclus that began the series of events that ended the Trojan War.
Who is Patroclus' mother?
Patroclus was the son of Menoetius in Greek mythology, and best friend of the heroAchilles. His father was one of the Argonauts, while many different women have been mentioned as Patroclus' mother; Polymele, Sthenele, and Periopis.
Who killed Clysonymus?
When he was young, Patroclus had an argument with one of his friends, Clysonymus, while playing dice; in the heated argument that followed, Patroclus accidentally killed him. To evade the wrath of Clysonymus' family,Menoetius took Patroclus and they both fled to Phthia, where King Peleus reigned. There,Patroclus met Achilles with whom they formed a deep friendship, a
What book does the emperor hear the reaction of the emperor?
When he finally heard, his reaction was fairly emotional, as you can read at the beginning of Iliad Book 18.
What did Damiens say on the day of his execution?
On the morning of his execution, as he was announced the terrible sentence given to him, he reportedly answered : “Gonna be a tough day!”.
Who were the suitors of Helen when she got married?
Both Patroclus and Achilles were prospective suitors of Helen when she was about to get married; thus, they both took the Oath of Tyndareus, according to which all suitors of Helen would protect her and her future husband from any threat or danger. When Helen eloped with Paris, prince of Troy, Menelaus, who had married Helen, invoked the Oath of Tyndareus, thus getting the support of all previous suitors, including Patroclus and Achilles. This was the start of the Trojan War.
When was Damiens executed?
Sounds exciting? You bet! So exciting that when Louis XV, the king of France announced that such a great event was to be thrown on March 28th 1757 to execute Robert-François Damiens, who failed to assassinate him, the whole city came to watch! Some people even even paid money to get a better view. Because yes, that was public.
Did Bose die in a plane crash?
So According to this book Bose was of course was not dead in a plane crash in 1945 .
Who was responsible for Achilles' death?
No one else made the decision to attack, therefore, only Patroclus is to blame for his narrow-minded decision which led directly to his untimely demise. Finally, because of Patroclus ’ inferiority to Achilles in battle, he was responsible for his own death. An example can be derived from a passage in Book XVI from Apollo to Patroclus,
Why did Achilles want Patroclus to lead the Myrmidons in an attack against the Trojans?
In explanation, Achilles was saying that he wanted Patroclus to lead the Myrmidons in an attack against the Trojans to drive them away from the ships. Once that was done, he wanted Patroclus and the army to return because imminent death surrounded Troy, antagonized by Zeus and Apollo.
What risk did Patroclus take?
In doing so, Patroclus took an enormous risk that the Trojans would fall for his trick, a risk with his life as the stakes. Essentially, while pleading to Achilles for battle, it was his own dark death for which he pleads.
Why was Patrocles responsible for his own death?
First of all, Patrocles was responsible for his own death because he requested his insertion into the battle, fully knowing that the Achaeans were being unmercifully defeated. In Book XVI , Patroclus said,
Who defeated Hector's driver?
Another example took place after Patroclus defeated Hector’s driver, Cebriones. While trying to strip the armor from the body, Patroclus and Hector began to fight over the corpse. Instead of following Achilles’ orders and returning to the ships, Patroclus went for the nucleus of the Trojan army and tried to defeat Hector, as no other Achaean could do.
Who was Achilles' friend?
It seems that no one could escape an agonizing fate. Of these deaths, the most interesting and intriguing death of all is that of Achilles’ dear friend Patroclus. Although his life was taken by the mighty Hector’s spear, who was truly liable for his death? Could it have been Zeus or Hector or the mighty Achilles to blame for this horrible death?
Who is to blame for the death of Patrocles?
The only person to blame for the death of mighty Patro cles was himself.
Overview
In the Iliad
Achilles and Patroclus quarter together in a tent near their Greek allies fleet of ships. King Agamemnon realizes that Achilles, due to his heroic reputation, needs to enter the fight, but Achilles, having been disrespected by Agamemnon, refuses. Agamemnon sends an envoy to change his mind. In BOOK IX (lines 225 to 241) the diplomats, Odysseus and Ajax, hear Achilles playing the lyre and si…
Classical views in antiquity
In the 5th and 4th centuries BC, the relationship was portrayed as same-sex love in the works of Aeschylus, Plato, Pindar and Aeschines.
In Athens, the relationship was often viewed as being loving and pederastic. The Greek custom of paiderasteia between members of the same-sex, typically men, was a political, intellectual, and sometimes sexual relationship. Its ideal structure consisted of an older erastes (lover, protector), …
Post-classical and modern interpretations
Commentators from the Classical period on have interpreted the relationship through the lens of their own cultures. The post-classical tradition shows Achilles as heterosexual and having an exemplary platonic friendship with Patroclus. Medieval Christian writers deliberately suppressed the homoerotic nuances of the figure.
See also
• Homosexuality in ancient Greece
• Homosexuality in the militaries of ancient Greece
• Nisus and Euryalus