A simile is the figure of speech used to compare two things using the words like or as, and so on. In the Iliad, Homer uses a lot of similes either to explain the character, or to explain the situation explicitly. The above simile is from book 16, titled Patroclus Fights and Dies. Patroclus knows a large number of the Achaeans are struggling to survive on the ship: some of them hit by arrows and others run through with spears. Achilles, a great warrior, could save them if he goes in war but he denies. Patroclus feels depressed seeing warriors of his troops in pain, and starts weeping. When Achilles notices him weeping, he says the above mentioned simile to Patroclus. Homer’s word choices in this simile portrays the maternal relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.
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As Patroclus weeps, he appears like a baby girl crying and following her mother. There is no one present except Achilles where Patroclus cries thus Achilles is portraying the role of mother of Patroclus in the simile. Why Homer presents Patroclus like a baby of Achilles, though they are living with each other like two brothers/ friends? What does he suggest us about Patroclus by stating like a girl, and not like a boy? Also, why is Achilles a mother, but not a father or a brother? What does that tell us about how Patroclus and Achilles view the situation of their comrades in the war? Is it significantly
As Patroclus weeps, he appears like a baby girl crying and following her mother. There is no one present except Achilles where Patroclus cries thus Achilles is portraying the role of mother of Patroclus in the simile. Why Homer presents Patroclus like a baby of Achilles, though they are living with each other like two brothers/ friends? What does he suggest us about Patroclus by stating like a girl, and not like a boy? Also, why is Achilles a mother, but not a father or a brother? What does that tell us about how Patroclus and Achilles view the situation of their comrades in the war? Is it significantly