During the opening 125 lines of Book 18 of The Iliad (Book 18), Achilleus’ character undergoes a transformation as he deals with the death of Patroklos, his beloved friend. Achilleus’ tragic discovery of his role in Trojan War coincides with his acceptance of his impending death. It’s a crucial moment for the Iliad as a whole and the character of Achilleus in particular. As the Myrmidon heroes realizes the magnitude of his past wrongs, and the destiny that awaits him, he appears to grow older. In essence, he realizes his error in expressing his anger in an unreasonable manner, and for the very first time, he submits himself to authority by accepting the truth of his own demise. The reader will also be able to appreciate Achilleus’ loss of selfishness, his sorrow for wanting revenge and his misfortune at having his youth cut short due to rage.
Achilleus describes anger in line 109 as “a swarming smoke that swarms inside of man’s hearts and becomes something sweeter for him than honey”. This perfectly reflects his behavior up until this point. Achilleus was unwilling to acknowledge his mistake, even after Agamemnon offered him gifts and apologies. Achilleus chose instead to wallow and claim that Briseus’s death was a terrible insult to his reputation. In his childish stubbornness and bitterness, he allows his friend to fight without him. Achilleus only realizes how anger clouded his judgment and heart in Book 18. Also, Achilleus accepts his full responsibility, saying that he must die quickly, since he did not stand by his companion when they were killed (18.98). Achilleus takes full responsibility for Patroklos’ death, and not blames the gods. Achilleus can analyze himself objectively, unlike other characters from the Iliad. Achilleus does not blame Zeus for his troubles, but instead accepts responsibility. Achilleus is aware that he has a tragic flaw, even if he continues to act with anger.
Achilleus is also shown to be gaining wisdom, as he must accept authority for first time. In the past, he was a spoilt, selfish child who asked his mother to solve all his problems. Agamemnon had initially insulted Achilleus. Agamemnon immediately became angry, rejected the leadership of the king, and asked for his mother to convince Zeus to punish Achilleus’ own companions. His thinking was not influenced by duty or loyalty. He acted solely on his own desires, without considering the consequences. Although he was aware of his mortality, death seemed to be far away because he believed he could not compete with him on the field. Achilleus faces a powerful power when Thetis informs him that he has to die before Hektor (line 96) and that it is not something he can reject, avoid, or ask for his mother’s help in reversing. He must now act like a real man and accept the reality of his knowledge. Achilleus’ character has clearly changed at this point. “I will accept death whenever Zeus wants it to happen” (18.115-6), his rebellious side seems to be replaced with an understanding of how futile it is to fight destiny.
This scene has more to it than just what Achilleus is thinking. Achilleus’s life is not anymore about him or his glory. He only wants to avenge Patroklos’ death. He states, “the spirit inside me doesn’t drive me to live …,, except that Hektor…pays for stripping Patroklos.” This scene also shows that Achilleus is motivated by a deep sorrow, and not just a hatred for Hektor. He is still grieving, not angry, at the time he takes the decision to pursue the Trojan Prince. The reader is also left to mourn the passing of an eloquent mind that has just begun to reveal its subtlety. Achilleus is only beginning to show his intellect when wisdom becomes useless.
The opening of Book 18 is one of the darkest parts of the Iliad. Achilleus faces the imminent death and is deeply affected by Patroklos’ death. Achilleus also comes to realize that his anger and selfishness have wasted a lot of his life. Without the support of his friends, the gods, and even his own mother, Achilleus has to face these losses alone. Achilleus’s heroic character can be seen in the fact that he chose to fight and die for his friend, rather than simply leave the conflict. He is still flawed and bitterly aware that he is. Achilleus is a character that has a lot of suffering. This makes him human. Zeus declared that, “amongst all creatures on the earth who crawl or breathe, man is by far the most miserable” (18). 446-7).
