This insightful post made me recall the thoughts and emotions I experienced when I first read this passage. I felt great compassion for Hector, whose plight was magnified by Athena's meddling. To me this implied Hector was the better warrior who could only be bested if a god intervened on the part of his opponent. Or perhaps because the two were so equally matched, only a trick of luck could determine the outcome. Achilles was responsible for the death of Patroclus. And it is the guilt Achilles feels which drives his actions. He is keenly aware of his responsibility for the death of his therapon. He confesses as much to his mother, Thetis. Instead of assuming responsibliility, he goes into a rage like all bullies do.
This insightful post made me recall the thoughts and emotions I experienced when I first read this passage. I felt great compassion for Hector, whose plight was magnified by Athena's meddling. To me this implied Hector was the better warrior who could only be bested if a god intervened on the part of his opponent. Or perhaps because the two were so equally matched, only a trick of luck could determine the outcome. Achilles was responsible for the death of Patroclus. And it is the guilt Achilles feels which drives his actions. He is keenly aware of his responsibility for the death of his therapon. He confesses as much to his mother, Thetis. Instead of assuming responsibliility, he goes into a rage like all bullies do.