Students are to complete the following assignment for Hw:
The Iliad-“Patroclus Fights and Dies” Book 16-20pts
Examine the dialogue between Patroclus and Achilles. Explain each man’s argument in your own words. What is the tone of each man? Why does Achilles think the Trojans are winning? How does this both add and detract from his image as a hero? What is the significance of Achilles’ warning to Patroclus?
While the men kept on fighting at the well-decked ships,Patroclus went to Achilles, his people's shepherd,shedding warm tears, like a fountain of dark waterwhose stream flows over the lip of a sheer rock face.Looking at him, swift-footed, godlike Achillesfelt pity. So he spoke to him—his words had wings:
"Why are you crying, Patroclus, like some girl,an infant walking beside her mother,asking to be picked up. She pulls the robeand stops her mother strolling on ahead, 10looking up at her in tears, until the mother [10]lifts her up. You're crying just like that girl,Patroclus. Is there something you need to sayto the Myrmidons or me? Some newsfrom Phthia that only you have heard?People say Menoetius, Actor's son,is still living, and Peleus is alive,Aeacus' son, among his Myrmidons.If these two had died, then we'd have somethingreal to grieve about. Or are you feeling sad 20 for Argives as they're being obliteratedamong the hollow ships for all their pride?Speak up. Don't conceal what's on your mind.Then we'll both understand."
With a heavy sigh,horseman Patroclus, you then replied: [20]
"Achilles,Peleus' son, by far the strongest of Achaeans,don't be angry with me. Such great despairhas overcome the Argives. For all thosewho used to be the bravest warriors are lying at the ships with sword and spear wounds— 30powerful Diomedes, son of Tydeus,hit by a spear, famous spearman Odysseuswith a stab wound, and Agamemnon, too.An arrow struck Eurypylus in the thigh.Many healers, exceptionally skilledin various medicines, are with them now,tending their wounds. But it's impossibleto deal with you, Achilles. I hope angerlike this rage you're nursing never seizes me. [30]It's disastrous! How will you be of use 40 to anyone in later generations,if you won't keep shameful ruin from the Argives?You're pitiless. Perhaps horseman Peleuswas not your father, nor Thetis your mother—the gray sea delivered you, some tall cliff,for you've an unyielding heart. If your mindshuns some prophecy, or your noble motherhas told you news from Zeus, at least send me,and quickly, with the others in our troopof Myrmidons. I could be a saving light 50for the Danaans. Give me your armour [40]to buckle round my shoulders, so Trojans,mistaking me for you, may stop the fight.Then Achaea's warrior sons could get some rest.They're worn out. War doesn't offer much relief.We're fresh, so we should easily repulsethe Trojans tired of the battle noiseback from our ships and huts towards the city"
Patroclus finished his entreaty. How wrong he was!He was praying for his own death, his dreadful fate. 60Swift-footed Achilles, with some heat, replied:
"My dear divinely born Patroclus,what are you saying? I'm not concernedwith any prophecy I know about, [50]nor has my noble mother said a thingfrom Zeus. But dreadful pain came in my heartand spirit when that man wished to cheatsomeone his equal and steal away that prize, and just because he's got more power.That really hurt, given that I've suffered 70in this war so many pains here in my chest.Achaea's sons chose that girl as my prize.I won her with my spear, once I'd destroyedher strong-walled city. Lord Agamemnontook her back, out of my hands, as if I weresome stranger without honour. But let that be— [60]it's over, done with. Besides, my spiritdidn't mean to stay enraged for ever,although I thought I wouldn't end my angeruntil the cries of warfare reached my ships. 80Come, put my famous armour on your shouldersand lead war-loving Myrmidons to battle, since black clouds of Trojans now surround the ships,expecting victory, and Argives standcrammed in by the sea shore, with little space, while a city full of Trojans comes at themwithout fear, because they don't see near them [70]my helmet with its glittering front. Soon enough,they'd be running back, filling the gullieswith their dead, if mighty Agamemnon 90treated me with kindness—but now they fightall through our camp. For there's no spear ragingin the fists of Diomedes, son of Tydeus,to protect Danaans from disaster.I've not heard the voice of Agamemnoncrying out in his vile head. As for Hector,that man-killer's voice echoes everywhere,shouting at Trojans, who fill all the plainwith their noise, as they defeat Achaeansin this battle. Even so, Patroclus, 100 [80]you must stave off disaster from the fleet.Go after them in force—they may fire those shipsand rob us of the journey home we crave.Now, pay attention to what I tell youabout the goal I have in mind for you,so you'll win me great honour and rewards,so all Danaans will send back to methat lovely girl and give fine gifts as well.Once you push Trojans from the ships, come back.If Zeus, Hera's mate, who loves his thunder, 110gives you the glory, don't keep on battlingthose war-loving Trojans with me absent. [90]You would decrease my honours. Don't letthe joy of fighting and of killing Trojanslead you on to Ilion, just in casesome deathless Olympian god attacks you. Apollo, the far-worker, loves his Trojans.So make sure you come back here again, once your saving light has reached our ships.Let others keep on fighting in the plain. 120O Father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo—if only no single Trojan or Achaeancould escape death, and just we two alonewere not destroyed, so that by ourselveswe could take Troy's sacred battlements!"
What is the significance of Achilles’ prayer? Is he being realistic?
"Zeus, king, lord of Dodona, Pelasgian,you who live far off, ruling cold Dodona,around whom live the Selli, your prophets, 280with unwashed feet, who sleep upon the ground, you heard me when I prayed to you before.You gave me honour then by striking hardat the Achaean army. So grant me nowwhat I still desire. I intend to staybeside this group of ships, but I'm sending outmy comrade and my many Myrmidons. [240]Send glory with him, all-seeing Zeus.Strengthen the heart inside his chest, so Hectorsees if Patroclus can fight on alone 290or if his hands are always conqueringonly when I'm with him in the raging war,in the centre of the havoc Ares brings.But when he's pushed the fight and battle noiseback from the ships, let him return to me,here at my hollow ships, without a scratch,with all his weapons and companions,men who battle in the killing zone."
What mistake does Patroclus make?
Patroclus then called to his horsesand to Automedon to pursue the Trojans,the Lycians, as well. How blind he was, poor fool! 800If he'd done what the son of Peleus had told him, he'd have missed his evil fate, his own dark death.But Zeus' mind is always stronger than a man's.He can make even a brave man fearful, rob himof his victory with ease. And Zeus can rouse a manfor battle, as he did then, putting desire to fight [690]into Patroclus' chest.
Explain who you feel is more responsible for the death of Patroclus. Achilles or Hector?
Explain the significance of the dialogue between Hector and Patroclus. What is the subject of Patroclus’ dying words?
Then Patroclus charged the Trojans, intent on slaughter. Three times he assaulted them,like war god Ares, with terrific shouts. Three timeshe killed nine men. But when he attacked a fourth time,then, Patroclus, you saw your life end. For Phoebus, a terrible god, in that grim fight came up against you.Patroclus failed to see Apollo, as he movedthrough the confusion, for he advanced towards him [790]hidden in thick mist. Apollo stood behind him.Then with the flat of his hand, he struck Patroclus 920on his back, on his broad shoulders—that made his eyes lose focus. Next, Phoebus Apollo knocked the helmetfrom his head. The horsehair crest rolled with a clatterunder horses' feet. The dust and blood then stainedthe helmet's plumes. Up to that time, gods had not letthat helmet with its horsehair plume get smudged with dirt,for it was always guarding godlike Achilles' head,his noble forehead, too. Later Zeus awarded itto Hector to carry on his head, as his death loomed. [800]In Patroclus' hands, his heavy long-shadowed spear, 930thick and strong, with its bronze point, was completely smashed. His tasseled shield and strap fell from his shouldersdown on the ground. Next, Apollo, Zeus' son, loosenedthe body armour on Patroclus. His mind went blank,his fine limbs grew limp—he stood there in a daze.From close behind, Euphorbus, son of Panthous,a Dardan warrior, hit him in the back,with a sharp spear between the shoulder blades. Euphorbus surpassed all men the same age as himin spear throwing, horsemanship, and speed on foot.He'd already knocked twenty men out of their chariots, 940 [810]and that was the first time he'd come with his own chariot to learn something of war. Euphorbus was the firstto strike you, horseman Patroclus, but he failedto kill you. Pulling the spear out of Patroclus' flesh,Euphorbus ran back again to blend in with the throng.He didn't stand his ground, even though Patroclushad no weapons for a fight. So Patroclus,overwhelmed by the god's blow and spear, withdrew,back to the group of his companions, avoiding death.
But when Hector noticed brave Patroclus going back, 950wounded by sharp bronze, he moved up through the ranks, stood close to Patroclus and struck him with his spear, [820]low in the stomach, driving the bronze straight through.Patroclus fell with a crash, and Achaea's armywas filled with anguish. Just as a lion overcomesa tireless wild boar in combat, when both beastsfight bravely in the mountains over a small springwhere they both want to drink, and the lion's strengthbrings down the panting boar—that's how Hector,moving close in with his spear, destroyed the life 960of Menoetius' noble son, who'd killed so many men. Then Hector spoke winged words of triumph over him:
"Patroclus, you thought you'd raze our city, [830]robbing our women of their life of freedom,taking them in ships to your dear native land.You fool! In front of them, Hector's horses,swift of foot, came out to fight. With the spearI'm the very best war-loving Trojan,and I've saved them from their fatal day.Now vultures will eat you here. You poor wretch, 970even Achilles, for all his courage, was no use to you. Though he stayed behind,he must have given you strict orders as you left, 'Don't return to me, horseman Patroclus,at the hollow ships, until you've slashed blood [840]all over man-killing Hector's tunicfrom his own chest.' That's what he must have saidto win you over to such foolishness."
Then you, horseman Patroclus, your strength all gone,replied:
"Boast on, Hector, for the moment. 980Zeus, son of Cronos, and Apollo have given you victory. They overcame meeasily, for they personally removedthe armour from my shoulders. If twenty mencame to confront me, just like you,all would have died, slaughtered by my spear.But deadly Fate and Leto's son have slain me—and Euphorbus. So you're the third in line [850]at my death. But I'll tell you something else—bear this in mind—you'll not live long yourself. 990Your death is already standing close at hand, a fatal power. For you'll be destroyedat brave Achilles' hands, descendant of Aeacus."
As Patroclus said these words to Hector,the finality of death flowed over him.
