Analysis of a Quote from the Iliad
Murat Genç
HUM 111-2
Daren Hodson
Analysis Paper 4
Analysis of a Quote from The Iliad
Theme:
Fate
Quote:
“One more thing-take it to heart, I urge you
You too, you won’t live long yourself, I swear.
Already I see them looming beside you-death
and the strong force of fate, to bring you down
at the hands of Aeacus’ great royal son…
Achilles!” (p. 440, Book 16)
Homer, Robert Fagles, and Bernard MacGregor Walker. Knox. The Iliad. New York: Penguin, 1991. Print.
Context:
This quote is taken from the end of Book 16, where Patroclus tells his final words to Hector after Hector killed him with his spear. Hector kills Patroclus easily after Patroclus is wounded by Apollo. In his final speech, Patroclus claims that Hector would not be able to kill him without Apollo’s help. The most significant part of the quote is where Patroclus foretells Hector’s death, at the hands of Achilles.
Analysis:
In the quote, Patroclus begins his words by praising Hector, and Hector’s victory over him. Yet, Patroclus humiliates Hector by granting his success to Zeus and Apollo in the following sentences of his speech. Patroclus claims that the Gods have changed his own fate since they standed by Hector instead of him.
Gods do not only change Patroclus’ fate, but also change Hector’s and Achilles’. Achilles learns about his fate in the first book, and it influences Achilles’ decision of refusing to fight with the Achaeans. He prefers to live a long life instead of living a short, glorious life. After Patroclus is killed, Achilles reviews his decision and decides to take his beloved friend’s revenge.
On the other hand, Hector does not change his decision of fighting in the war after he learns about his fate. Patroclus tells him that he is going to be killed by Achilles, but Hector still chooses to fight against the Achaeans knowing he’ll die at the end.
If the Gods hadn’t helped Hector, Achilles would not
HUM 111-2
Daren Hodson
Analysis Paper 4
Analysis of a Quote from The Iliad
Theme:
Fate
Quote:
“One more thing-take it to heart, I urge you
You too, you won’t live long yourself, I swear.
Already I see them looming beside you-death
and the strong force of fate, to bring you down
at the hands of Aeacus’ great royal son…
Achilles!” (p. 440, Book 16)
Homer, Robert Fagles, and Bernard MacGregor Walker. Knox. The Iliad. New York: Penguin, 1991. Print.
Context:
This quote is taken from the end of Book 16, where Patroclus tells his final words to Hector after Hector killed him with his spear. Hector kills Patroclus easily after Patroclus is wounded by Apollo. In his final speech, Patroclus claims that Hector would not be able to kill him without Apollo’s help. The most significant part of the quote is where Patroclus foretells Hector’s death, at the hands of Achilles.
Analysis:
In the quote, Patroclus begins his words by praising Hector, and Hector’s victory over him. Yet, Patroclus humiliates Hector by granting his success to Zeus and Apollo in the following sentences of his speech. Patroclus claims that the Gods have changed his own fate since they standed by Hector instead of him.
Gods do not only change Patroclus’ fate, but also change Hector’s and Achilles’. Achilles learns about his fate in the first book, and it influences Achilles’ decision of refusing to fight with the Achaeans. He prefers to live a long life instead of living a short, glorious life. After Patroclus is killed, Achilles reviews his decision and decides to take his beloved friend’s revenge.
On the other hand, Hector does not change his decision of fighting in the war after he learns about his fate. Patroclus tells him that he is going to be killed by Achilles, but Hector still chooses to fight against the Achaeans knowing he’ll die at the end.
If the Gods hadn’t helped Hector, Achilles would not