Patroklos, the best friend of Achilleus, although focused less often by Homer, plays a crucial role in shaping the story of Iliad. Patroklos, in fact, is one of the important chess pieces in Zeus’ chessboard because of the twist he brings in the epic. The twist which results in a change of Zeus’ plans and a different hypothesis of the story’s end.
Patroklos is introduced for the first time in the book when Agamemnon’s army comes to take away Briseis in Achilleus’ shelter. The statement of Achilleus, “Go then, illustrious Patroklos, and bring the girl forth / and give her to these to be taken away”(1.337-338) marks an insightful introduction of Patroklos is who is ordered by Achilleus to give Briseis to Agamemnon men. Most of the times. Moving …show more content…
Zeus’ prophecy, “And he shall rouse up Patroklos / his companion. And glorious Hektor shall cut down Patroklos / …...In anger for him brilliant Achilleus shall then kill Hektor. (15.64-68) marks the beginning of the greater role of Patroklos. The role to rekindle Achilleus back to the battlefield. Patroklos is eager to fight after being convinced by Nestor, and when he encounters the havoc of Achaeans in the battlefield. Compassionate Patroklos sheds tears in-front of stone-hearted Achilleus who makes fun of him by saying, “Why then/ are you crying like some poor little girl, Patroklos” (16.6). Moreover, the statement of Patroklos “Give me your armour to wear on my shoulders into fighting; / so perhaps the Trojans might think I am you, and give / way from their attack” (16.40-42) signifies an outset of a strange transformation of Patroklos as well. When a pawn reaches the other side of the chess-board it no longer remains a pawn, but it gets promoted. Zeus decides his pawn, Patroklos to get promoted to a Bishop, a reliable attacker, easy to sacrifice when needed. Bishops are great at attack but they also get trapped easily when advancing far beyond the opponent’s territory. The involvement of Patroklos turned favors in Greeks support and drove back the Trojans from the Achaeans’ ships but destiny trapped him. The destiny to be sacrificed. The destiny to be the …show more content…
In fact, no sacrifice could bring back Achilleus into the battlefield, therefore, Zeus, the almighty gives up Patroklos as a sacrifice. Just before the death of Patroklos we encounter Apollo tricks Patroklos and helps Hektor to bring him down. The last words of Patroklos, “ No, deadly destiny, with the son of Leto, has killed me, / …...but now already / death and powerful destiny are standing beside you, / to go down under the hands of Aiakos’ great son, Achilleus” (16.849-854) signifies that finally he is enlightened about the God’s plan. The part of the plan where he is just a small piece and his mission has been completed. Moreover, he correctly predicts the fate of Hektor, who again is just a part of God’s greater game.
Patroklos may not be the most intriguing characters in the epic, but he definitely ranks as one of the influential souls. Everybody has their part to play in the God’s puzzle but, few are like Patroklos, who is chosen to be sacrificed for the greater
Patroklos is introduced for the first time in the book when Agamemnon’s army comes to take away Briseis in Achilleus’ shelter. The statement of Achilleus, “Go then, illustrious Patroklos, and bring the girl forth / and give her to these to be taken away”(1.337-338) marks an insightful introduction of Patroklos is who is ordered by Achilleus to give Briseis to Agamemnon men. Most of the times. Moving …show more content…
Zeus’ prophecy, “And he shall rouse up Patroklos / his companion. And glorious Hektor shall cut down Patroklos / …...In anger for him brilliant Achilleus shall then kill Hektor. (15.64-68) marks the beginning of the greater role of Patroklos. The role to rekindle Achilleus back to the battlefield. Patroklos is eager to fight after being convinced by Nestor, and when he encounters the havoc of Achaeans in the battlefield. Compassionate Patroklos sheds tears in-front of stone-hearted Achilleus who makes fun of him by saying, “Why then/ are you crying like some poor little girl, Patroklos” (16.6). Moreover, the statement of Patroklos “Give me your armour to wear on my shoulders into fighting; / so perhaps the Trojans might think I am you, and give / way from their attack” (16.40-42) signifies an outset of a strange transformation of Patroklos as well. When a pawn reaches the other side of the chess-board it no longer remains a pawn, but it gets promoted. Zeus decides his pawn, Patroklos to get promoted to a Bishop, a reliable attacker, easy to sacrifice when needed. Bishops are great at attack but they also get trapped easily when advancing far beyond the opponent’s territory. The involvement of Patroklos turned favors in Greeks support and drove back the Trojans from the Achaeans’ ships but destiny trapped him. The destiny to be sacrificed. The destiny to be the …show more content…
In fact, no sacrifice could bring back Achilleus into the battlefield, therefore, Zeus, the almighty gives up Patroklos as a sacrifice. Just before the death of Patroklos we encounter Apollo tricks Patroklos and helps Hektor to bring him down. The last words of Patroklos, “ No, deadly destiny, with the son of Leto, has killed me, / …...but now already / death and powerful destiny are standing beside you, / to go down under the hands of Aiakos’ great son, Achilleus” (16.849-854) signifies that finally he is enlightened about the God’s plan. The part of the plan where he is just a small piece and his mission has been completed. Moreover, he correctly predicts the fate of Hektor, who again is just a part of God’s greater game.
Patroklos may not be the most intriguing characters in the epic, but he definitely ranks as one of the influential souls. Everybody has their part to play in the God’s puzzle but, few are like Patroklos, who is chosen to be sacrificed for the greater