The students are to complete the following assignment for HW:
The Iliad-book 24 “Achilles and Priam”-20pts
Explain Achilles’ daily routine. Why is he doing this?
What is happening to Hector’s corpse?
Once the funeral gathering broke up, the men dispersed,each one going to his own ship, concerned to eatand then enjoy sweet sleep. But Achilles kept on weeping,remembering his dear companion. All-conquering Sleepcould not overcome him, as he tossed and turned,longing for manly, courageous, strong Patroclus,thinking of all he'd done with him, all the painthey'd suffered, as they'd gone through wars with other menand with the perilous sea. As he kept remembering,he cried heavy tears, sometimes lying on his side, 10sometimes on his back or on his face. Then he'd get up, [10]to wander in distress, back and forth along the shore.He'd see Dawn's approach across the sea and beaches,then he'd harness his fast horses to their chariot,tie on Hector and drag him behind, drivingthree times around the tomb of Menoetius' dead son.Then in his hut he'd rest again, leaving Hectorstretched out, face down in the dust. But Apollo,feeling pity for Hector, though he was dead,guarded his skin from any lacerations, 20 covering his whole body with the golden aegis, [20]so as Achilles dragged him, he did not tear his skin.
How does Achilles show growth in this scene? What does he display in this scene that he has not displayed throughout the entire story? Has he changed completely? Explain. What agreement is reached?
He came up to Achilles, then with his fingersclasped his knees and kissed his hands, those dreadful hands,man-killers, which had slain so many of his sons.Just as sheer folly grips a man who in his own land 590 [480]kills someone, then runs off to a land of strangers,to the home of some rich man, so those who see himare seized with wonder—that's how Achilles thenlooked on godlike Priam in astonishment.The others were amazed. They gazed at one another.Then Priam made his plea, entreating:
"Godlike Achilles,remember your own father, who's as old as me,on the painful threshold of old age.It may well be that those who live around himare harassing him, and no one's there 600to save him from ruin and destruction.But when he hears you're still alive, [490]his heart feels joy, for every day he hopeshe'll see his dear son come back home from Troy.But I'm completely doomed to misery—I fathered the best sons in spacious Troy,yet I say now not one of them remains.I had fifty when Achaea's sons arrived—nineteen born from the same mother's womb,others the women of the palace bore me. 610Angry Ares drained the life of most of them.But I had one left, guardian of our city,protector of its people. You've just killed him,as he was fighting for his native country. [500]I mean Hector. For his sake I've come here,to Achaea's ships, to win him back from you.And I've brought a ransom beyond counting.So Achilles, show deference to the godsand pity for myself, rememberingyour own father. Of the two old men, 620I'm more pitiful, because I have enduredwhat no living mortal on this earth has borne—I've lifted up to my own lips and kissed the hands of the man who killed my son."
Priam finished. His words roused in Achillesa desire to weep for his own father. Taking Priam's hand,he gently moved him back. So the two men thereboth remembered warriors who'd been slaughtered.Priam, lying at Achilles' feet, wept aloud [510]for man-killing Hector, and Achilles also wept 630for his own father and once more for Patroclus.The sound of their lamenting filled the house.
When godlike Achilles had had enough of weeping,when the need to mourn had left his heart and limbs,he stood up quickly from his seat, then with his handhelped the old man to his feet, feeling pityfor that gray head and beard. Then Achilles spoke—his words had wings:
"You unhappy man,your heart's had to endure so many evils.How could you dare come to Achaea's ships, 640and come alone, to rest your eyes on me, [520]when I've killed so many noble sons of yours?You must have a heart of iron. But come now,sit on this chair. Though we're both feeling pain,we'll let our grief lie quiet on our hearts.For there's no benefit in frigid tears.That's the way the gods have spun the threadsfor wretched mortal men, so they live in pain,though gods themselves live on without a care.
Old godlike Priam then answered Achilles:
"Don't make me sit down on a chair, my lord,while Hector lies uncared for in your huts.But quickly give him back, so my own eyescan see him. And take the enormous ransomwe've brought here for you. May it give you joy. 690 And may you get back to your native land,since you've now let me live to see the sunlight."
With an angry look, swift-footed Achilles snapped at Priam:
"Old man, don't provoke me. I myself intend [560]to give you Hector. Zeus sent me herea messenger, the mother who bore me,daughter of the Old Man of the Sea.And in my heart, Priam, I recognize—it's no secret to me—that some godled you here to the swift Achaean ships. 700No matter how young and strong, no living manwould dare to make the trip to our encampment.He could not evade the sentries or push backour door bolts—that would not be easy.So don't agitate my grieving heart still more,or I might not spare even you, old man,though you're a suppliant here in my hut. [570]I could transgress what Zeus has ordered."
Achilles spoke. The old man, afraid, obeyed him.Then Peleus' son sprang to the door, like a lion. 710Not alone—his two attendants went out with him,warrior Automedon and Alcimus, whom he honouredthe most of his companions after dead Patroclus.They freed the mules and horses from their harnesses,led in the herald, the old man's crier, sat him on a stool.Then from the polished wagon they brought inthat priceless ransom for Hector's head, leaving theretwo cloaks and a thickly woven tunic, so Achilles [580]could wrap up the corpse before he gave it backfor Priam to take home. Achilles then called out, 720ordering his servant women to wash the body,and then anoint it, after moving it away,so Priam wouldn't see his son, then, heart-stricken, be unable to contain his anger at the sight.Achilles' own spirit might then get so arousedhe could kill Priam, disobeying Zeus' orders.Servants washed the corpse, anointed it with oil,and put a lovely cloak and tunic round it.Achilles himself lifted it and placed it on a bier.Then together he and his companions set it 730 [590]on the polished wagon. Achilles, with a groan,called to his dear companion:
"O Patroclus,don't be angry with me, if you learn,even in Hades' house, that I gave backgodlike Hector to his dear father.He's brought to me a fitting ransom.I'll be giving you your full share of it,as is appropriate."
Godlike Achilles spoke,then went back once more into the hut and saton the richly decorated chair he'd left 740by the opposite wall. Then he spoke to Priam:
"Old man, your son has been given back,as you requested. He's lying on a bier. [600]You'll see him for yourself at day break,when you take him. We should think of eating.But come, royal old man, let's think of food.Later you can lament for your dear son,when you have taken him to Ilion, [620]where you'll shed many tears for him." 770
Old godlike Priamthen said in answer to Achilles:
"If you're willing [660]for me to give lord Hector a full burial, then, Achilles, as a personal favour,there is something you could do for me.You know how we're restricted to our city.It's a long way to the mountains to get wood.Besides, the Trojans are especially fearful.We'll mourn Hector for nine days in our home. 820On the tenth day we'll have his funeral.Then there'll be a banquet for the people.On the eleventh, we'll make his burial mound.The twelfth day, if we must, we'll go to war."
Swift-footed Achilles then said to Priam:
"All right, old Priam, things will be arrangedas you request. I'll suspend the fighting [670]for the length of time you've asked for."
Why does the story end with this scene? Is this appropriate? Explain. Who is the hero of the story?
Andromache said this in tears. The women all wailed with her. 920Then Hecuba took her turn in leading their laments:
"Hector, dearest by far of all my children,loved by the gods, as well, when you were living.Now, at your death, they still take care of you. [750]When swift Achilles took my other sons,he'd ship them off across the boundless seas,to Samos, Imbros, or foggy Lemnos.When his long-edged bronze took away your life,he dragged you many times around the moundfor his comrade Patroclus, whom you killed. 930Yet even so, he could not revive him.Now you lie here in our house, fresh as dew,like someone whom Apollo of the silver bowhas just come to and killed with gentle arrows."
As she spoke, Hecuba wept. She stirred them on [760]to endless lamentation. Helen was the thirdto lead those women in their wailing:
"Hector—of all my husband's brothers,you're by far the dearest to my heart.My husband's godlike Alexander, 940who brought me here to Troy. I wish I'd diedbefore that happened! This is the twentieth yearsince I went away and left my native land,but I've never heard a nasty word from youor an abusive speech. In fact, if anyoneever spoke rudely to me in the house—one of your brothers or sisters, some brother's well-dressed wife, or your mother—for your father [770]always was so kind, as if he were my own—you'd speak out, persuading them to stop, 950using your gentleness, your soothing words.Now I weep for you and for my wretched self,so sick at heart, for there's no one elsein spacious Troy who's kind to me and friendly.They all look at me and shudder with disgust."
Helen spoke in tears. The huge crowd joined in their lament.Then old Priam addressed his people:
"You Trojans,you must fetch some wood here to the city.Don't let your hearts fear any ambush,some crafty Achaean trick. For Achilles, 960when he sent me back from the hollow ships, [780]gave me his word they'd not harm usuntil the twelfth day dawns."
Priam finished.The people hitched up mules and oxen to their wagonsand then gathered before the city with all speed.For nine days they brought in wood, an immense amount.When the tenth dawn came, they brought brave Hector out,then, all in tears, laid his corpse on top the funeral pyre.They set it alight. When rose-fingered Dawn came up,they gathered around that pyre of glorious Hector. 970Once they'd all assembled there together, [790]first they doused the pyre with gleaming wine, every partthat fire's strength had touched. His brothers and comradescollected Hector's ash-white bones, as they mourned him—heavy tears running down their cheeks—and placed themin a golden urn, wrapped in soft purple cloth.They quickly set the urn down in a shallow grave,covered it with large stones set close together,then hurried to pile up the mound, posting sentrieson every side, in case well-armed Achaeans 980attacked too soon. Once they'd piled up the mound,they went back in, gathered together for a splendid feast,all in due order, in Priam's house, king raised by Zeus.And thus they buried Hector, tamer of horses.
