The Cause Of Death In Homer's The Iliad
Homer’s The Iliad is a timeless epic that reveals the events during the Trojan War around twelfth century BC. The Iliad is an epic that has stood constant through thousands of years and is used in modern life. The Iliad provides questions and produces stories throughout the epic and some have never been answered. The cause of Patroklos’ death has been debated and questioned throughout history; however, the cause of Patroklos’ death is due to the anger and selfishness of Achilleus.
In the beginning of the epic, Agamemnon steals Briseis which sends Achilleus into a whirlwind of emotions, and anger becomes his focus. Anger is an emotion which causes Patroklos’ death. Throughout the epic Achilleus begins to enjoy his anger more, causing him to …show more content…
If Achilleus acted more mature and reconciled with Agamemnon instead of becoming in love with his anger, Patroklos would have no reason to fight for the Achaians. From the beginning of the epic we see that Achilleus is the cause of Patroklos’ death because his request is the reason for Patroklos to fight and die. When Patroklos fights for Achilleus, he asks if he can borrow Achilleus’ armor. Borrowing the armor signifies Achilleus allowing Patroklos to commit suicide. On the Trojan side, everyone knows to target Achilleus when and if he decides to fight. When Patroklos steps onto the battlefield in Achilleus’ armor, he places a target on his back. The Trojans know Achilleus is the best warrior and his armor is very valuable; Achilleus knows this as well, but he still allows Patroklos to fight in the battle. Not only does Achilleus’ armor kill Patroklos because it is a beacon in the battle, but also because it seems to give Patroklos some of Achilleus’ childish traits. Throughout the epic we see that Achilleus feels as if he is better than the gods. The most similar display of Achilleus-like traits is when Patroklos ignores Apollo and continues to attack the Trojans:
Three times Patroklos tried to mount the angle of the towering wall,/ and three times Phoibos Apollo battered him backward… As Patroklos/ for the fourth time, like something more than a man, came at
In the beginning of the epic, Agamemnon steals Briseis which sends Achilleus into a whirlwind of emotions, and anger becomes his focus. Anger is an emotion which causes Patroklos’ death. Throughout the epic Achilleus begins to enjoy his anger more, causing him to …show more content…
If Achilleus acted more mature and reconciled with Agamemnon instead of becoming in love with his anger, Patroklos would have no reason to fight for the Achaians. From the beginning of the epic we see that Achilleus is the cause of Patroklos’ death because his request is the reason for Patroklos to fight and die. When Patroklos fights for Achilleus, he asks if he can borrow Achilleus’ armor. Borrowing the armor signifies Achilleus allowing Patroklos to commit suicide. On the Trojan side, everyone knows to target Achilleus when and if he decides to fight. When Patroklos steps onto the battlefield in Achilleus’ armor, he places a target on his back. The Trojans know Achilleus is the best warrior and his armor is very valuable; Achilleus knows this as well, but he still allows Patroklos to fight in the battle. Not only does Achilleus’ armor kill Patroklos because it is a beacon in the battle, but also because it seems to give Patroklos some of Achilleus’ childish traits. Throughout the epic we see that Achilleus feels as if he is better than the gods. The most similar display of Achilleus-like traits is when Patroklos ignores Apollo and continues to attack the Trojans:
Three times Patroklos tried to mount the angle of the towering wall,/ and three times Phoibos Apollo battered him backward… As Patroklos/ for the fourth time, like something more than a man, came at