Storytelling Week 2: The Cruelty of Achilles

Now Achilles was in mourning over his friend Patroclus, still, though he had just slain the mighty Hector. His anger towards the Trojans burned deep within him, for Patroclus had been his dearest friend. The glory of taking Troy would be his, yes, but at what cost? His soldiers viewed him as a leader, a warrior, but hardly as a friend like dear Patroclus had. After he had dispatched Hector, Achilles had dragged him behind his chariot, his mare effortlessly gliding across the plain in front of the wall as the lifeless body of Hector dragged behind him.

Atop the wall, King Priam had watched as his noblest son was humiliated in death. He was both angered by Achilles' actions and saddened because no man could avenge his son against the mightiest of warriors. He paced thoughtfully, wondering how he could possibly retrieve Hector's body to give him a proper burial. 

Meanwhile, the gods had convened to watch Achilles' battle with Hector. When they saw him take the body back to the Greek camp, Zeus became angry with Achilles.

"Go to your son at once," Zeus commanded Thetis, "And tell him it is my wish that he return the body of Hector to the Trojans."

         Thetis listening to Zeus' commands for Achilles.

So Thetis made hastily for the shores of Troy where Achilles had taken the body of Hector. "My son, you must allow Hector the proper burial," she said. "Zeus has sworn his wrath upon you if you refuse. Listen to what the king Priam will offer for ransom." Achilles reluctantly agreed.

The king loaded up his chariot with the finest jewels, trinkets and cloaks he could find. At high noon the following day, he ordered the gates of the mighty wall open and made his way to the Grecian camp. Achilles had awoken with the sun, his mourning over Patroclus robbing him of peaceful slumber. He waited patiently for the king to arrive to hear his proposition. In no time, the king had entered the camp.

Soliders led the king to Achilles' tent, for they had heard the night before of his intentions. Achilles ushered the soldiers out so the two men could discuss in solitude. Priam's offer was simple: keep the chariot and everything in it, but give him Hector's body intact so as not to refuse him the burial he deserves. As he was listening to Priam's offer, Achilles mind began to wander back to Patroclus' death. He recalled the Trojans spearing him in the back, and taking Achilles' arms from his body. A fiery urge for vengeance crept into his belly, and Achilles became incensed. 

"No amount of gold or jewels can bring back my closest friend," Achilles explained. "Therefore, no amount of gold or jewels will bring back your proudest son."

Zeus had been watching intently as Achilles and Priam conversed, and soon became furious with Achilles' disobedience. He sent down a crack of lightning just outside Achilles' tent as a warning for the mistake he was about to make. But proud as he was, Achilles paid it no mind. He left the tent in a rage.

He went outside to where Hector’s body was laid, grabbed his sword and cut the limbs of the body, furthering the prince’s humiliation in death. Once he had spent all of his anger, he grabbed a torch and lit the body where it was, completely destroying the chance for a proper burial. Priam watched in despair as the remains of his son rose towards the gods in a plume of black smoke. 

As soon as he was done, he fled. Thetis, though she wished not to anger Zeus, hid her son as he ran, for she loved him dearly. Achilles wasn’t seen for many years, and the Greeks suffered a tragic defeat at the hands of the Trojans, for they had no warrior who could match Achilles’ strength and leadership. 

Author’s Note: I used “The Ransoming of Hector” as the basis for my story. Instead of Priam getting his son back, however, I put forth a scenario in which Achilles refused his offer, thus risking the wrath of Zeus. This is a critical point to consider when reading my story, as Zeus is all-powerful to the Greek people. To anger him is to almost certainly be inviting death, one way or another. I think my version highlights different attributes of Achilles, not only his anger, but his belief that he wouldn't be defeated by anybody, even Zeus. In the original, Achilles accepts the ransom of gold and jewels, and the Greeks and Trojans have a 9 day respite from battle to give Hector a proper burial. This is an important part of Greek culture in the setting of Troy vs. the Greeks, as a proper burial allows the deceased to be given coins to pay the ferry toll. I doubt Achilles would have ever done what I said he did just because while he is a fierce warrior, he does respect the traditions of his people and their enemies, but in my interpretation, Achilles is a slave to his anger a lot more than he is in The Iliad.