Greek and Roman Mythology Achilles Term Paper

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Achilles himself is a warrior, and ultimately he decides himself to join the battle, regardless of his love for Briseis and regardless of the fact that he knows he will die. It is this in him that he cannot deny Patroclus.

Achilles nonetheless does all that he can to ensure Patroclus' safety. He warns Patroclus not to pursue the Trojans, because he knows this will lead to death. Furthermore he implores the gods with offerings to bring the young man back safely. None of these strategies however work, because Patroclus disregards both Achilles and the gods in his desire to attain glory. Ironically, his infamy lies only in the fact that he was foolish and that he died unnecessarily.

Furthermore Achilles' predicament lies in the fact that he is now to explain to Patroclus' father the reason why he went into battle. Achilles also lost a friend that he mourns. This is his biggest predicament. Despite that fact that he has decided to return to Greece to begin a family with Briseis, he is now practically forced to avenge his friend.

In comparison with his response to the embassy then, several differences can be detected. Patroclus, being a friend, is able to manipulate Achilles' opinion more effectively than the embassy representing a man he despises. While he has clear judgment with regard to the embassy then, his judgment with regard to his young friend is somewhat clouded. For the embassy, Achilles could give his reasons for not wanting to go into battle clearly and calmly, and also justify his decision to remain with Briseis rather than seek glory.

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With Patroclus however he is very easily persuaded to let the young man fight for an honor that Achilles himself was willing to give up for love.

The difference is that Patroclus is too close to Achilles to allow for clear judgment. Ironically, this appears to have been the opinion of the embassy with regard to Briseis as well. She was too close to Achilles to allow for clear judgment, and thus their opinion was that Achilles was giving up an opportunity for greatness for the sake of something far less important.

It is also ironic that Patroclus' death rather than his own wish for glory that finally moves Achilles to join the battle after all. What he wanted was revenge, which he did attain. He also attained eternal glory, which ironically was no longer very important to him.

Achilles thus spent his last days in a predicament regarding Briseis, his own wish for glory and Patroclus' death and his wish for revenge. While he thus loses the opportunity for a happy and fulfilled family life, he attains as much as circumstances would allow him. He finds revenge for his friend and he finds eternal glory for himself.

Perhaps at the time that was the best that a young warrior could have hoped for. It is however tragic that the decision as it were was made for him rather than Achilles being allowed to make it for himself......

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