In book twenty three, Achilles finally performs the funeral rites for Patroclus.
[Spoiler (click to open)]Achilles performs sacrifices and refuses to wash until Patroclus' body has been burned ( Read more... )

[Spoiler (click to open)]All the Trojans, except Hector "shackled fast by his deadly fate," retreat inside the walls of the city. Priam and Hecuba weep and beg their son to retreat, but he's resolved to face Achilles. Hector fears the disgrace of defeat. He considers surrender, but realizes that, after killing Patroclus and donning Achilles' armor, there's no possibility ( Read more... )

In book twenty one, Achilles captures twelve Trojans to sacrifice in Patroclus' honor. Achilles captures a Trojan Lycaon that he had previously ransomed; this time Achilles has no mercy in spite of Lycaon's supplications. Achilles dumps his corpse in the Scamander river. The river god is angry and directs his own son to challenge Achilles. His son ( Read more... )

In book nineteen, Achilles arms for battle. He has hasn't forgotten his previous rage, exactly, but it's been exchanged for a greater, more all-consuming one another ( Read more... )

In book seventeen, Menelaus and his comrades fight over Patroclus' body. As Hector dons Achilles' armor, Zeus sadly notes that Hector will never go home to Andromache again after killing Achille's friend and stealing his armor.

In book eighteen,
[Spoiler (click to open)]Watching from the sidelines, Achilles realizes that the prophecy his mother told him about - that the ( Read more... )

[Spoiler (click to open)]Achilles greets troubled Patroclus as if he were a child. Later in thia book Patroclus is referred to as having great innocence.

Patroclus moved by pity chastizes Achilles for his anger.
You heart of iron! He was not your father ( Read more... )

In book fourteen, scheming Hera and Poseidon help the Argives.
[Spoiler (click to open)]Council of the Argive kings: Even Nestor realizes more offensive fighting isn't the answer. Agamemnon again wants to cut and run. Odysseus argues that they're too stubborn to leave before this is done, retreat isn't an appropriate plan for a king, and also it's a terrible plan that will ( Read more... )

Zeus abandons the Trojan war once Hector and his Trojans start fighting for the ships. The father god isn't entirely omniscient; he doesn't predict that the other gods will attempt to thwart his will.

[Spoiler (click to open)]Disguised Poseidon urges the Argives on. "His voice like a shock wave, / the god of the earthquake ( Read more... )

[Spoiler (click to open)]The Argives neglected to perform the customary ritual sacrifices when they built their trenches and wall.

So in the years to come Poseidon and god Apollo / would set all things to rights once more.A reminder that life will continue after this war and things will eventually return to their proper order ( Read more... )

In book ten, during the night, Odysseus and Diomedes infiltrate the Trojan camp on a spying mission.
[Spoiler (click to open)]The Atrides independently realize they need a war council. Menelaus displays how much he needs his brother's guidance, asking what he should do after he carries out the elder's commands. Agamemnon acknowledges to Nestor that Menelaus depends on him ( Read more... )