Character: Patroclus

Question 1

How is Patroclus death foreshadowed ?

Answer 1

First in book 11
- As Patroclus leaves his ship Homer entered the narrative saying ‘that was the beginning of his end’
- Homer uses prolepsis to highlight the sealing of his fate which is now in action in a subtle yet tragic moment
book 16
- ‘invoking his own destiny and dreadful death’
- Homer builds up the tension and makes it ubundantkh clear that Patroclus of the tragic climax awaiting later in book 16
- Homer places emphasis on Patroclus inescapable naivety and the peril he unknowingly finds himself in
- The tragic and dramatic irony the pathos we feel as we are aware of his impending death

Question 2

How is Patroclus portrayed in battle ?

Answer 2

Book 16
- firstly, Patroclus duels with the Trojan hero Sarpedon
- The pair are described by Homer as ‘two vultures’ which Homer specifically chosen to demonstrate how the pair are evenly matched
- Therefore, when Patroclus kills Sarpedon it highlights his skills as a warrior in battle making him a heroic figure
- further to this he is awarded an aresteia which is reserved in Homeric epics for the most skilled warriors ‘three times he killed nine men’
- Its obvious in Homer description of Patroclus he encourages us to visualise Patroclus as a ferocious and formidable warrior that embodies the heroic mindset

Question 3

How is Patroclus’ relationship to Achilles and it’s repercussion portrayed ?

Answer 3

Book 16
- Whilst Patroclus comes up to Achilles he is described by Achilles to be ‘like a little girl running along beside her mother’
- within the arrangement Achilles is aware of Patroclus being weaker than him through this domestic comparison
- Patroclus leaves behind Achilles spear which is subtle reminder from Homer to the reader that Patroclus is weaker within the pair
- Patroclus is taking on a persona he is not fully worth off and the element that both the characters in the Iliad and we as the reader know he is weaker is a subtle hint from Homer that Patroclus has outdone himself

Question 4

How is Patroclus death portrayed ?

Answer 4

• The death of Patroclus in book 16 is incredibly long and drawn out with every contributor to his death taking their turn in inflicting harm
• Firstly Apollo inflicts a ‘fatal blindness’ over Patroclus as his helmet and shield fall of him and his left disoriented
• next Euphorbus throws a spear at Patroclus back but he didn’t ’stay to fight Patroclus’
• Even in death Homer feels it necessary to show how Patroclus was incredibly feared on the battlefield and his warrior status inflicted fear into his enemies
• lastly Hector ‘stabbed him with his spear’
• it exacerbates the pathos of his death and adds to our admiration of Patroclus and therefore the pathos of his death

Question 5

Why is Patroclus important in driving Achilles back into the narrative ?

Answer 5

• Homer uses Patroclus death as a device which would allow for Achilles to return to the battlefield
• in Book 9 Achilles refuses an incredible and unparalleled offering from Agamemnon to return but he outright refuses
• Not even speeches from Odysseus, Phoenix or Ajax can convince him to return
• It’s clear that his stubbornness and damaged timé in his eyes is unrepairable something that he cannot let go of
• However, upon hearing of Patroclus death in book 18 he immediately decides to return to the tumult to ‘win heroic glory’
• In the death of Patroclus is the death of Achilles’ stubborn pride agaisnt Agg as he makes amends with Agamemnon and returns to the battle to kill Hector

Question 6

How does Patroclus show a more compassionate side to him ?

Answer 6

Book 11: cares for injured Eurpylus

Question 7

How is Achilles and Patroclus relationship conveyed

Answer 7

point: close relationship
- example: book 9 the pair communicate through facial expressions ‘movement of his eyebrows’
Book 16: Achilles prays that Patroclus will return safe to the ships and goes so far as to imagine the pair conquering Troy
- Explain: private and human side of Achilles as Patroclus is used by Homer as his sounding board its clear Patroclus is the one person he cares about other than is own interests (book 9 embassy refusal to return)

Question 8

How do the gods have a role in Patroclus death ?

Answer 8

Book 16: apostrophe ‘Phoebus encountered you, Phoebus most terrible’ +’ the gods summoned you to your death’
Book 16 foreshadowing: ‘one half the father granted but not the other’

• long build up to tragic climax with Homer showing frustration and empathy to his death. Homers entry into the narrative informs us of Patroclus impending doom and increases anticipation. Very drawn out
• nature of death, hubristic and over confidence typical of a great hero’s exacerbates this fits his position as the tragic hero, tragedy intestified by Achilles warnings and Zeus’ denial of Achilles prayers adding to the foreshadowing and sense of impeding death