The following is due for HW tomorrow:
The Iliad-Book 22 “The Death of Hector”-20pts
What do Priam and Hector’s mother want from him? Considering the expectations of a warrior, what does this say about Achilles?
Meanwhile, old Priamwas the first to catch sight of Achilles, as he dashedacross the plain, blazing like that star which comesat harvest time— its light shines out more brightlythan any of the countless lights in night's dark sky.
With a cry, old man Priamstruck his head with his hand, then, reaching up,with many groans, he called out, pleading with his son,who was still standing there before the gates,firmly resolved to fight Achilles. The old man,hands outstretched, appealed to Hector's sense of pity:
"Hector, my dear son, don't stand out there alone,facing that man with no one else to help you,or you will quickly meet your death, slaughteredby Peleus' son, who's much more powerful. 50 [40]Don't be obstinate. If only the godswould love Achilles just as much as I do,then dogs and vultures would soon gnaw at himas he lay there. And then my heart might shedits dreadful sorrow, for he's taken from memany valiant sons. Some he's butchered.Others he's sold in islands far away.Right now, I can't see two of my young sons,Polydorus and Lycaon, among thosewho've gathered with the Trojans in the city, 60both delivered to me from Laothoe,queen among women.
Come here, my child,inside the walls, so you can help to saveTrojan men and women. Don't give that man,that son of Peleus, great glory. He'll takeyour own dear life. Have pity on me, too.Though full of misery, I still can feel.Father Zeus will kill me with a cruel fate [60]on the threshold of old age, once I've seenso many dreadful things—my sons slaughtered,my daughters hauled away, their houses ransacked, 80their little children tossed down on the groundin this murderous war, my daughters-in-lawled off captive in hard Achaean hands.In the end, I'll be ripped by ravenous dogs,in front of my own doors when some man strikes mewith his sharp bronze or throws his spear in me,robbing my limbs of life—the same dogs I raised,at home beside my table to guard the doors.They'll drink my blood, then lie there at the gates, [70]their hearts gone mad. When a young man dies in war, 90 lying there murdered by sharp bronze, that's all right.Though dead, he shows us his nobility.But when the dogs disfigure shamefullyan old man, chewing his gray head, his beard, his sexual organs, that's the saddest thing we wretched mortals see."
As the old man spoke, his hands tugged his gray hair and pulled it from his head. But he could not sway Hector's heart. Beside Priam, Hector's mother wept. Then she undid her robe, and with her hands pushed out her breasts, shedding tears. 100 [80]She cried out, calling him—her words had wings::
"Hector, my child, respect and pity me.If I ever gave these breasts to soothe you,remember that, dear child. Protect yourselfagainst your enemy inside these walls.Don't stand out there to face him. Stubborn man,if he kills you, I'll never lay you outon your death bed or mourn for you, my child,my dearest offspring—nor will your fair wife.Far away from us, beside Achaean ships, 110their swift dogs will devour you."
Does Hector fail as a hero in this scene? How does he not live up to the heroic ideal?
Achilles was coming closer, like Enyalius,the warrior god of battle with the shining helmet.On his right shoulder he waved his dreadful spearmade of Pelian ash. The bronze around him glitteredlike a blazing fire or rising sun. At that moment, 170as he watched, Hector began to shake in fear. His courage gone, he could no longer stand there.Terrified, he started running, leaving the gate.Peleus' son went after him, sure of his speed on foot.
Hector ran 180under the walls of Troy, limbs working feverishly. They ran on past the lookout and the wind-swept fig tree,some distance from the wall, along the wagon track.Then they reached the two fair-flowing well springs,which feed swirling Scamander's stream.
They ran fast,for this was no contest over sacrificial beasts,the usual prizes for a race. They were competing [160]for horse-taming Hector's life.
that's how these two men raced,going three times round Priam's city on their sprinting feet.
Examine the dialogue between Hector and Achilles. Is Achilles being unreasonable? Explain. Is this a fair fight? Explain.
Athena left him. 280She came to Hector in the form of Deïphobus, with his tireless voice and shape. Standing beside him,she spoke—her words had wings:
"My brother,swift Achilles is really harassing you,with his fast running around Priam's city [230]in this pursuit. Come, we'll both stand here,stay put, and beat off his attack."
Then Hector of the shining helmet answered her:
"Deïphobus, in the past you've always beenthe brother I loved the most by far 290of children born to Hecuba and Priam. I think I now respect you even more,since you have dared to come outside the wall,to help me, when you saw me in distress,while others all remained inside."
With these words, Athena seduced him forward.When they'd approached each other, at close quarters,great Hector of the shining helmet spoke out first:
"I'll no longer try to run away from you, [250]son of Peleus, as I did before, going 310three times in flight around Priam's great city. I lacked the courage then to fight with you,as you attacked. But my heart prompts me nowto stand against you face to face once more,whether I kill you, or you kill me.So come here. Let's call on gods to witness,for they're the best ones to observe our pact,to supervise what we two agree on.If Zeus grants me the strength to take your life,I'll not abuse your corpse in any way. 320 I'll strip your celebrated armour off, Achilles, then give the body back againto the Achaeans. And you'll do the same."
Swift-footed Achilles, with a scowl, replied: [260]
"Hector, don't talk to me of our agreements.That's idiotic, like a faithful promisebetween men and lions. Wolves and lambsdon't share a common heart—they always sensea mutual hatred for each other.In just that way, it's not possible for us, 330for you and me, to be friends, or, indeed, for there to be sworn oaths between us,till one or other of us falls, glutting Ares,warrior with the bull's hide shield, on blood.You'd best remember all your fighting skills.Now you must declare yourself a spearman,a fearless warrior. You've got no escape. [270]Soon Pallas Athena will destroy youon my spear. Right now you'll pay me back,the full price of those sorrows I went through 340when you slaughtered my companions."
With these words, Hector balanced his long-shadowed spear,then threw it. It struck the shield of Peleus' son, [290]right in the centre. That spear didn't miss its mark.But it bounced some distance off the shield. Hector,angry that the spear had flown from his hand and missed,stood dismayed, for he had no substitute ash spear.So he shouted out, calling to Deïphobus,who carried a white shield, asking him with a yell 370 to pass him his long spear. But Deïphobuswas nowhere to be seen. Then Hector in his heartsaw everything so clearly—he said:
"This is it, then.The gods are summoning me to my death.I thought warrior Deïphobus was close by.But he's inside the walls, and Athenahas deceived me.
As Hector charged, noble Achilles struck him there, 410 driving the spear point through his tender neck.But the heavy bronze on that ash spear did not cuthis windpipe, so he could still address Achillesand reply to him. Hector fell down in the dust. [330]Lord Achilles then cried out in triumph:
"Hector,I suppose you thought you could safely stripPatroclus, without giving me a thought,since I was far away. That was foolish!By our hollow ships he'd left me behind,a much greater man, to take out my revenge. 420I've drained strength from your limbs—now dogs and birdswill tear you into miserable pieces, while Achaeans are burying Patroclus."
His strength fading, Hector of the shining helmetanswered Achilles:
"By your life, I beg you,by your knees, your parents—don't let dogs eat meby Achaean ships. No, you should accept [340]all the bronze and gold you want,gifts my father and lady mother give you,if you'll send my body home again, 430so Trojans and Trojans' wives can bury me,with all the necessary funeral rites."
Scowling at Hector, swift-footed Achilles then replied:
"Don't whine to me, you dog, about my kneesor parents. I wish I had the heart and strengthto carve you up and eat you raw myselffor what you've done to me. So there's no onewho'll keep the dogs from going at your head,not even if they bring here and weigh outa ransom ten or twenty times as much, 440with promises of more, or if Priam, [350]son of Dardanus, says he'll pay your weightin gold. Not even then will your motherset you on a funeral bed and there lamentthe son she bore. Instead, the dogs and birdswill eat you up completely."
Then, as he died,Hector of the shining helmet said to Achilles:
"I know you well. I recognize in youwhat I expected—you'd not be convinced.For your heart and mind are truly iron. 450 But think of this—I may bring down on youthe anger of the gods that very daywhen Paris and Phoebus Apollo,in spite of all your courage, slaughter you [360]at the Scaean Gate."
As Hector spoke,death's final end slid over him. His life slipped out,flying off to Hades, mourning his fate to have to leavesuch youthful manliness. Over dead Hector,godlike Achilles then cried out:
"Die there.As for my own death, I accept it 460whenever Zeus and the immortal godssee fit to bring it to me"
Why is it not over when Hector is dead? Why doesn’t Achilles’ anger cease?
Saying this,He pulled his bronze spear from the corpse, set it aside, and stripped the blood-stained armour from the shoulders. Then the rest of Achaea's sons came running up.They gazed at Hector's stature, his handsome body. [370]All the men who came up to the corpse stabbed it,looking at each other, saying:
"Look here, it's easier for us to deal with Hector now than when his fire burned our ships."
Achilles finished. Then on noble Hector's corpsehe carried out a monstrous act. He cut throughthe tendons behind both feet, from heel to ankle,threaded them with ox-hide thongs, and then tied theseonto his chariot, leaving the head to drag behind.He climbed up in his chariot, brought on the splendid armour,then lashed his horses. They sped off eagerly, 500 [400]dragging Hector.
