Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad Part B

The story continues with a fierce fight for the body of Patroclus. King Menelaüs kills the Trojan who wounded Patroclus. Hector spoils the body of Patroclus, but Ajax defends the body. They call out Hector for his cowardly and slimy behavior, but he responds that he only fears to go against the will of Zeus. Zeus saw the situation and thought "these arms will cost Hector dear." The Greeks said to themselves: "It were better that the earth should open her mouth and swallow us up alive than that we let the Trojans carry off the body of Patroclus." Zeus sees Achilles immortal horses weeping for Patroclus and feels bad for them. Ajax says to have Nestor's son carry the news to Achilles.

Menelaüs doesn't know if Achilles will come because he doesn't have any armor. The Greeks would have taken the city, but Apollo stepped in. Agénor decides his best option is to stand at the gates and wait for Achilles because he knows no matter what Achilles will pursue him so there is no point in fleeing. Achilles rushes him, but Apollo lifts him off the ground to safety. After this only Hector remained outside the city. Achilles realizes he has been tricked and is angry with Apollo for robbing him of glory. King Priam cries out to Hector and says "O my son, wait not for this man, lest he kill you, for indeed he is stronger than you." Hector disregards this.

Then Queen Hecuba cries out to Hector to come inside. She says "for if he conquers you, then not only will you die, but dogs and vultures will eat your flesh far from here, by the ships of the Greeks." Once again Hector ignores this. He trusts in his strength, but when he sees Achilles he is filled with fear and flees. Zeus sees this and feels bad for Hector. He tries to get the other Gods to do something. Athené responds "what is this that you purpose? Will you save a man whom the fates appoint to die? Do this, if you will, but the other gods do not approve." Apollo helps Hector by giving strength to his knees. Athené tells Achilles that it is his day to slay Hector, and that Apollo can't stop him anymore.

Athené takes the shape of Hector's brother Deïphobus and convinces Hector to fight Achilles. Achilles throws his spear and misses which gives Hector confidence. However, Athené returns Achilles's spear to him without Hector noticing. Hector throws his spear and is on target, but it hits Achilles's shield. He asks his brother for another spear, but his brother isn't there and Hector realizes that he has been tricked. Left with no other options, Hector draws his sword and charges at Achilles, but Achilles easily kills him. With his dying breath Hector asks Achilles to give his body back to his family. Achilles says no.

Zeus asks Thetsis to ask Achilles to give the body to Priam, and Achilles obliges. Priam asks Zeus to  pity me and give me a lucky sign. Zeus then sends Hermes to Hector. Hermes tells Hector that he will protect him. Priam enters Achilles's tent and asks if his sons body is whole, and Achilles tells him it is. After hearing Priam Achilles heart was moved and he wept for Priam. He thought about his own parents. Achilles orders some women to wash and anoint Hector's body. Priam asks for a nine day truce between the Trojans and the Greeks and Achilles agrees. Hermes wakes Priam that night and tells him that he sleeps with enemies and instructs him to wake and depart. Priam departs and on the ninth day has a great burying for his son.

 

Achilles displaying the body of Hector. Source

Bibliography:

A.J. Church, The Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer (Published 1967) https://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-homers-iliad-retold.html