huge consequences for the character of Achilles and for the story as a whole. Thus far Achilles has been sulking in his shelter but for the final third of the poem he is dragged into the limelight. It is from this point on that we discover a great deal more about the character of Achilles. AchillesÊ reaction to the news of PatroclusÊ death is very extreme: he is described as Âclawing the groundÊ with his hands and Âtearing his hairÊ. The Âblack cloud of griefÊ that comes over him is so great that Antilochus 12 feels the need to hold AchillesÊ hands while they weep together in case he slashes his own throat. Achilles declares that Patroclus was Âthe man I loved beyond all other comrades, loved as my own lifeÊ. Indeed, Achilles admits that he has Âlost the will to liveÊ. Henceforward, Achilles is a much more savage, fierce and angry character until PatroclusÊ burial in book 23 and, most important, his meeting with Priam 13 in book 24. Achilles proceeds to settle his dispute with Agamemnon and to prepare to exact revenge for the death of Patroclus. ÂHis determination to avenge Patroclus⁄ is made to seem momentous by the link with his own deathÊ 14 because, as Thetis tells Achilles, Âhard on the heels of HectorÊs death your death must come at onceÊ. The portrayal of Achilles during his pursuit of revenge is particularly remarkable. While the other Greeks have their meal before fighting the Trojans, Achilles says ÂI have no taste for food – what I really crave is slaughter and blood and the choking groans of men!Ê. Later in the same book, we are told that Âa sound of grinding came from the fighterÊs teeth, his eyes blazed forth in searing points of fireÊ. AchillesÊ lust for violence, therefore, makes him seem inhuman. 12 Antilochus is one of the sons of Nestor, king of Pylos, and delivers the news of PatroclusÊ death to Achilles. 13 Priam is the father of Hector, the main hero fighting for Troy, and is the king of Troy. 14 Rutherford, Richard.
This is supported by AchillesÊ treatment of HectorÊs body in book 22. After killing him, Achilles drags Hector behind his chariot, Âbent on outrage, on shaming noble HectorÊ. Achilles continues his disgrace of Hector in the Greek camp, dragging him round PatroclusÊ corpse. This mutilation of HectorÊs body reveals the strength of AchillesÊ vengeful feelings and even Âscandalizes the godsÊ 15 . His actions after the death of Patroclus introduce the idea that Achilles is extreme: he perpetrates while other heroes would merely threaten. The last book of the poem sees Achilles and Priam grieving together for Patroclus and Hector respectively after Priam comes to ask Achilles to return HectorÊs body. This scene allows Âgentler feelings to surface and provides a foil to the savagery which has gone beforeÊ. 16 Certainly, the scene with Priam marks the end of the development of AchillesÊ character and his extraordinary relationship with Priam perhaps portrays him as in a Âheightened form of humanityÊ 17 . Although there are similarities between Achilles and the other Greek heroes, such as their royal rank and their fighting on behalf of Agamemnon and Menelaus, these are few in number and are less significant than the differences between them. Achilles is inevitably different because of his fighting prowess and his divine connection. Therefore, I believe that Achilles, the character in the Iliad with the most depth, is very different from the other Greek heroes because he pushes the boundaries of most aspects of character, so much so that it may be said that Âthe greatest of the heroes becomes the most obdurate anti-heroÊ 18 .
15 Silk, M.S. 16 Rutherford, Richard.
17 Silk, M.S. 18 Silk, M.S.
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