The Iliad/Book 22
Book 22 of the Iliad focuses on battle between Achilles and Hector. Naturally, Achilles is upset at Hector’s triumph over Patroclus and he wants revenge. Hector talks to his father (King Priam) and his mother and they want him to stay safe inside the walls, but Hector is determined to go on into battle with Achilles. Once he arrives where Achilles is, he loses his nerve and starts to run while swift Achilles chases him all over Priam. Finally Zeus sees the need to intervene, because he feels that death has to fall on one of the men, and he sends Athena to balance the scales. She tells Achilles that they will destroy Hector and tells him to rest while she goes out and deceives him. She comes to Hector in the form of his brother Deiphobus. She persuades him to go on to face Achilles and stop running and he does just that. After Achilles missed with the first spear at Hector he thinks he has the battle won until Achilles blocks his spear with his shield and Deiphobus does not give it back to him. Hector then realizes that Athena has tricked him and his death is close to him. Achilles drives the spear into his neck the part that was unarmored and Hector pleads for him to take his body to the Trojans so he can die and honorable death. Achilles basically laughs at him before he dies, and then drags Hector’s body by his chariot back to Priam. Hector’s mother, father, and wife all mourn over Hector’s death. His wife states, “there is no need for the stores of fine clothing they are fit only to burn.”
