What are the motivations of Achilles? what does he really fight for? At first when Agammemnon takes Briseis back, Achilles is really upset, apparently he loves her, and he is so mad that he refuses to go to war. He stays with Patroclus, and when Patroclus convinced him to go fight for him and is killed by Hector, Achilles is now more than ready to fight and get revenge. What is he really fighting for? Honor? friendship? It makes me wonder if Achilles and Patroclus were in a ROMANTIC relationship... What do you think?
And another question... I have clearly in mind a story of Achilles dying because of a spear thrown in his tendon... When does that happen? Because in the book it says Achilles is supposed to die 3 days after Hector, but we read about funerals that last 9 days and an eventual "peace treaty" for another 12 days... so :s?
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It is a possiblity, given what we have learned about ancient Greece. A relationship between them would not be unheard of, but there is nothing in the text that says that they were any closer than good friends. The movie Troy gives a better reason why Achilles and Patroclus were so close. As for the number of days it could have been a mistake in the writing, but then it could be an interpretation of what it really meant. It could have been meant as three days after the funeral is done.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is open to interpretation. I think Achilles cared about Patroclus in a friend way. He shows how his friendship means to him. Patroclus was raised by Peleus, Achilles's father, which makes the relationship between them very strong. When Patroclus died, Achilles remembers what his mother told him that he might avoid death and return home, and live to a good old age, if he abstained from slaying Hector. Nevertheless he gave his life to revenge his friend, and dared to die, not only on his behalf, but after his death.
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