The Hero 39
livered the third blow. If I could have fought you myself, you would
not have stood a chance. But you’ve won now— enjoy your triumph.
“One more thing,” Patroclus continues:
Take it to heart, I urge you,
you too, you won’t live long yourself, I swear.
Already I see them looming up beside you— death
and the strong force of fate, to bring you down
at the hands of Aeacus’ great royal son...
Achilles!
(XVI, 996–1000)Patroclus has the prophetic power of a man on the threshold of
death. Soon Hector will have to meet his unbeatable enemy.
When Achilles learns what has happened to his friend he
explodes with grief and with rage. He blames himself for letting
Patroclus go into battle, and he rages against Hector, who must pay
for what he has done— even though Achilles knows well that once
Hector dies, he himself does not have long to live. Hector has taken
the armor of Patroclus, Achilles’ old armor, and this is surely an act
of hubris. Hector is not Achilles— and forgetting that helps put him
on the path to destruction. Meanwhile, Achilles must wait, grieving
and fasting in his tent as Hephaestus, the smith god, forges him an-
other suit of armor and a magnifi cent shield.
In the world of strife that is The Iliad, the hero who seeks the fi rst
place knows that one obligation eclipses all others: when provoked,
he must take revenge. He is a creature of retribution. The hero never
lets an insult pass, never endures a slight from an equal or a near
equal. When his reputation is threatened in words, he will boast of
his accomplishments, and do so without shame. When someone
harms him or one of his friends or allies, the hero must repay as
quickly and ferociously as he can.