Patroklos is not very important to the Iliada Essay Example for Free

Patroklos is non very important to the Iliada EssayPatroklos is introduced as the companion of Achilleus the great warrior which automatically makes him world-shattering to the poem as a whole. His relationship with Achilleus is basic shown in book 9 w here Patroklos obeys everything Achilleus asks him to do and is names as his companion Patroklos. This shows they have a estimable relationship which is important as it shows the audience another side of Achilleus, one where he is loving and caring and human enough to crave the company of a close friend. However the menial tasks Patroklos is first asked to perform could have been undertaken by any common slave and therefore in this scene he does not come across as particularly important to the poem. This close relationship is emphasized a number of times throughout the poem, in particular when Achilleus gave a silent signal to Patroklos with his eyebrows which would indicate that their relationship is such that Patroklos unde rstands what Achilleus wants him to do through facial expression alone.Moreover, in book 11, Patroklos is referred to as the pleasure of my heart by Achilleus, suggesting that their relationship is deeper than just friends. Patrokloss role in Achilleuss life is explained in part by Nestor who speaks of the advice given to Patroklos by his father by birth Achilleus is superior to you, but you are the older. He is far stronger than you, but your proper task is to give him words of wisdom and advise him and guide him and he will listen to you for the best. This indicates that Patroklos has throughout his life influenced Achilleus and continues to do so, meaning he is crucial in understanding Achilleuss character. Nearing the end of book 11, Patroklos cuts an arrow from Eurypylos thigh and stops the bleeding which shows he is compassionate and endears him to the audience which may be a device employed by Homer to emphasize the sadness of Patrokloss ending later in the poem. This scen e is to a fault used to show the brutal effects of war due to its gory nature.After book 16 Patroklos comes to the forefront of the poem. Achilleus instructs him to don his armour and push the battle from their ships. Achilleus formerly again shows his feelings for Patroklos as he prays to genus Zeus that he will come back safely. Zeus does not grant this, foretelling Patrokloss death. During this book, Patroklos has his aristeia which adds excitement and impact to the poem. Patrokloss fighting lasts for some(prenominal) pages and is a significant part of the poem, wake his importance overall.Patrokloss fight with Sarpedon is important as Zeus becomes upset over the death of his son and although he allows the Achaians to take his armour, he ensures the body is well looked after showing a loving side of Zeus that is not often seen during the poem. Without Patroklos this scene would not have been able to take place. Patrokloss death is told over many lines and begins with Euphorbu s stabbing him in the back as he is too scared to face him in battle. This shows once again how brave and important Patroklos is.The passage describing Hektor kill Patroklos is very descriptive and includes mockery from Hektor and Patrokloss final speech. This once more makes the audience feel for Patroklos as he is cruelly mocked in the last moments of his life. The close book is entirely dedicated to the fight over Patrokloss body which indicates that he was important and a large part of the poem. There are also many men willing to defend Patroklos which shows he was well loved I would gladly stand by Patroklos and defend him, since his death has touched remedy to my heart.At the beginning of book 18 Achilleus learns of the death of Patroklos and the black cloud of sorrow enveloped Achilleushe lay there with his whole body sit in the dust, huge and hugely fallen, tearing at his hair and defiling it with his own hands, this passage shows how much Achilleus cared for his friend, he is so overwhelmed with sorrow that he is uneffective to speak. Even the serving women shrieked loud in their hearts grief, enabling the audience to understand that he was loved by all, emphasizing the incommode of his death.Furthermore, Patrokloss death makes Achilleus feel guilty let me die directly, since I was not able to help my friend at his killing and spurs him to fight once more. The sensitive side of Achilleus is bought out again during this his warm tears falling when he saw his trusted friend lying there. Patrokloss death is the catalyst needed to make Achilleus rekindle his fighting spirit but now PatroklosI shall not give you burial until I have bought herethe head of Hektor. Which shows that without Patroklos Achilleus would not have fought again, meaning he is catalytic in this part of the Iliad.Finally it is made clear that Patroklos was instrumental in Achilleuss alliance to Briseis. You were always gentle. Briseis explains that Patroklos was the one who ar ranged for her to marry Achilleus, and since this all began because Briseis was taken away this shows that without Patrokloss intervention Achilleus would not have been so angry in the first place and would not have refused to fight, making the Iliad into a very different story. Therefore, Patroklos was key in shaping the poem into the story it became.