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Tues. Aug. 22

After the death of Patroclus, Achilles and Agamemnon reconcile, with the mutual aim of revenge and ending the war. They blame the quarrel, and their own anger, on the gods and fate, not on each other, saying they had little choice but to do as they have done, given the warrior’s code they live by. Barry Powell, a modern translator of the Iliad, notes that the entire theme is the “anger” of Achilles (it’s the first word of the poem) and the disastrous consequences that follow for both the Greeks and Trojans. The Tragedy of Achilles could be an alternate title. 

Achilles must take his vengeance on humans, however, not the gods. He vents his wrath on Hector because he administered the final death blow to Patroclus, but also I think  because Hector is his most noble and worthy adversary, by whose killing he will gain the most fame and honor. 

Agamemnon satisfies the requirements of the feud by making the promised gifts to Achilles, including the return of an “unspoiled” Briseis, suggesting she still has value as a sexual slave. I think it’s odd that Briseis mourns Patroclus as a friend because he rescued her when her three brothers were killed by the Greeks in battle. He didn’t spare her brothers though, and his kindness was only to deliver her as a prize to his friend Achilles. This seems a victor’s rationalization, not a true depiction of a victim’s feelings.  Compare The Trojan Women, by Euripides, where the victims bitterly mourn their fate and captivity.