Reference no: EM133261959

Question 1: Why does King Priam beg Hektor to come inside the Trojan walls, to escape Achilles? Note how Priam is talking about Achilles as a "hard man," who will soon be dead and "the dogs and vultures would eat him" (lines 41-44). Be specific and thorough and quote for support.

Question 2. Why does Hektor not go back behind the city walls into Troy as his parents beg him to do? Be specific and thorough and quote for support and use your own words.

Another confusing passage occurs because of the interference of Athene. After Achilles and Hektor have run around the city walls three times, arriving at the gate for the fourth time, the "Father" balances the scales and Hektor's death weighs more (128, lines 208-213). I have no idea who this Father is, unless he is Father Time (Kronos, as in chronological) who judges who dies when. Abandoned by his protector Apollo, Athene comes to the aid of Achilles with a plan: she disguises herself as Deiphobos, Hektor's brother. Hektor, believing that he has a companion in the fight, advances towards Achilleus. Next, Athene disguised as Deiphobos helps Achilles (130, lines 275-77).

Question 3: What promise does Hektor ask of Achilles as he is dying? Does Achilles agree to Hektor's promise or not?

Hektor warns Achilles not to go too far (Lines 355 -361). We will see more about excess later, in see Book 24, 136 and notes below).

Question 4: Achilles remembers that before going to Priam and discovering the Trojans' purpose, he must do something, some act. What is that act that prevents him from talking to the Trojans about a solution to the war?

Note his treatment of Hektor's body (132, lines 395-405). When I mentioned in the first set of notes that "Homer" attempts to honor both sides, we can see here the Sympathy for the Trojan hero in the poignant line, "So all his head was dragged in the dust."