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Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad Part B


(Achilles Dragging the Body of Hector around Troy by Gavin Hamilton)

 

The Slaying of Hector:

Characters: Achilles, Apollo (god), Agenor, Hector, Priam, Athene

Achilles: Is enraged by the trojans killing Patroclus and taking boys, weapons, and armor. He is too mad to bargain with Hector before he kills him. He knows that he is stronger than Hector. loved Patroclus and will do anything to avenge him.

Apollo: saves Agenor and buys time for the rest of the Trojans to run back into the walls of Troy. Plays tricks on Achilles to lead him away from the walls.

Agenor: gets courage from Apollo and stays to fight Achilles but is carried to safety by Apollo who replaces him. 

Hector: takes and wears the armor of Patroclus. This angers Achilles a lot. 

Priam: is the king. Is watching over the battle and wanting everyone to come inside because Achilles is too powerful. 

Athene: tricks Hector into thinking he is safe with his brother. This causes him to face Achilles and die.

Plot: Achilles is angered by the death of his friend Patroclus and is decimating the Trojan army who is running to the walls of the city. King Priam looks on and encourages the gate keepers to hold open the gates so that the people can run inside. Apollo now puts courage into Agenor to stay and fight. When Achilles is about to reach him, Apollo takes him and places him on the wall, and runs from Achilles in his place. This allows the rest of the Trojans to return to the city. 

Hector stays outside of the walls despite Priam and Hecuba wanting him to come in and be safe. He refuses and runs from Achilles 3 times around the city. Athene then disguises herself as Hector's brother, so he stops and faces Achilles. Achilles throws his cool spear and misses, but Athene takes it and gives it back to him with out Hector noticing. Hector then charges Achilles and gets stabbed and dies.

Stuff I would change: The battle is very monotonous. Very few blows were being exchanged and it was over quickly. I think this definitely highlights how strong Achilles is compared to Hector, especially being dipped into the river Styx and everything. I think a cooler battle may have one of Hector's brothers actually coming to help him. This would allow Hector at least some chance to fight.

Bibliography: "The Slaying of Hector" from the "Iliad" retold by Alfred J. Church.

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