Mythology

Delahoyde & Hughes

 

HOMER'S ILIAD:

BOOK XVI: Patroclus Fights and Dies

Questions for Book XVI:

Explain the meaning of the sunless ocean and the towering blank rocks (16. 39-40).

Why does Achilles agree to Patroclus' request?

Why doesn't Zeus save his own son, Sarpedon?

In what sense is Patroclus responsible for his own death?

Patroclus pleads for Achilles to send him into battle to protect the fleet. Achilles starts beating the proverbial dead horse, ranting again about the girl and Agamemnon:

that son of Atreus! Treating me like some vagabond,
some outcast stripped of all my rights . . . Enough.

Let bygones be bygones now. Done is done.
How on earth can a man rage on forever? (16.67-70)

Achilles seems to recognize his emotional impasse and catches himself up, but this glimpse of awareness does not change the fact of his remaining rage. Ironically, Achilles preaches restraint to Patroclus. We know that Patroclus will risk himself and not return alive even though Achilles tells him to come back after he turns the tide of war. Achilles evidently understands the "flush and fire of triumph" and warns Patroclus not to burn for war against the Trojans.

We get the formulaic scene of Patroclus' arming for battle which is interesting to contrast to the Arming of Hera before she seduces Zeus. Achilles prepares the Myrmidons; they are however eager for blood, hungry as wolves. What does this extended simile of a wolf pack bringing down a big antlered stag tell you about the Myrmidons? (16. 186-194) How do you think they felt about Achilles' withdrawal from the war?

Achilles prays to Zeus. Patroclus will win back the ships, but Zeus denies Achilles' prayer that his friend return safely. The Myrmidons and Patroclus move out, swarming like wasps from a roadside nest. The simile here is in particular interesting. The implication is that the Trojans have stirred up a nest of wasps.

Zeus laments that his son Sarpedon is fated to die at the hands of Patroclus. He considers sweeping his son up out of the battle. Hera protests. What is the nature of fate? Is fate something separate from the gods' control? Why do the warriors fight for Sarpedon's body? The Death of Sarpedon: his speech underlines the tragic pattern in the Iliad (16. 590-91), (compare this speech to the dialogue between Achilles and his horses, (19.500-501 ).

Apollo warns Patroclus: Back--Patroclus, Prince, go back! It is not the will of fate that the proud Trojans' citadel fall before your spear . . . . Again Homer includes fate as a formidable and undeniable force at work on mortals. Patroclus is killed in a strange combination of events--Apollo comes up behind him--a crushing blow knocks his helmet off. What is the significance of Achilles' helmet which is picked up and worn by Hector? Hector will bring Patroclus down, but before Patroclus dies he tells Hector that Achilles will soon kill him.

What is Hector's reaction to Patroclus' prophecy?