Before leaving, and at Hekuba's suggestion, Priam purifies himself; he asks for a sign, and Zeus sends a black eagle to give Priam assurance that his mission has divine approval. Priam's journey to Achilles' camp takes on a surreal, dream-like quality as Priam and his herald leave. Darkness descends while they water the horses at a river, and the scene seems to suggest a journey to the underworld; in fact, Zeus sends Hermes to conduct Priam to Achilles' camp.
The appearance of Hermes gives the impression that Priam is symbolically "crossing over" symbolically, entering Hades as he goes to meet Achilles, who also symbolically "crosses over" to meet Priam. As a result, both men discover new spiritual values by exploring the spiritual world. Priam specifically learns a kind of humility in going alone to plead for the body of his son. He also seems able to face the certainty of future ruin because he has succeeded on a personal level with Achilles.
Until Priam comes to him, Achilles has felt sympathy for no one, except Patroklos. Priam's visit gives both men an understanding of the common bonds of humanity.
Priam follows Iris' instructions of going to Achilles as a suppliant, where he plays the role of a father and not that of king of Troy. Were Priam to go to Achilles as king of Troy, the meeting would be purely for negotiating, and neither Achilles nor Priam would gain spiritually from the encounter. However, going as a suppliant, Priam falls into the category of a guest-friend, and as such, Achilles receives him as the father of Hektor.
Kissing Achilles' hands, Priam lays aside his kingly role and pleads with Achilles to remember his own father, who is also old. Priam says that his sons are dead and the only son who could help him that is, Hektor now lies dead in Achilles' camp.
Priam adds that he has kissed the hands of the man who killed his children. By kissing Achilles' hands instead of avenging Hektor's death, Priam breaks a taboo, and by this act, Priam humbles himself before Achilles. Priam's act causes Achilles to see Priam as he sees his own father, and the awakening of sympathy within Achilles begins. While Priam mourns for Hektor, Achilles mourns for what his father will endure when he, Achilles, is dead.
Interested in Greek myths? We've condensed the epic narrative of Homer's poems the Iliad and the Odyssey into short animations voiced by the dulcet tones of Don Warrington. The Odyssey includes an extensive cast list, both human and mythical. In this article Dr Emma Bridges gives us the lowdown on the main characters. We invite you to discuss this subject, but remember this is a public forum.
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All rights reserved. The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking. Skip to content Study with The Open University. Search for free courses, interactives, videos and more! Free Learning from The Open University. Featured content. Free courses. A Trojan warrior who attempts to fight Achilles in Book A Trojan archer.
A Trojan nobleman, advisor to King Priam, and father of many Trojan warriors. Antenor argues that Helen should be returned to Menelaus in order to end the war, but Paris refuses to give her up. A war prize of Achilles. A priest of Apollo in a Trojan-allied town; the father of Chryseis, whom Agamemnon takes as a war prize. However, he throws his weight behind the Trojan side for much of the battle after the sulking Achilles has his mother, Thetis, ask the god to do so.
Like Hera, Athena passionately hates the Trojans and often gives the Achaeans valuable aid. A sea-nymph and the devoted mother of Achilles, Thetis gets Zeus to help the Trojans and punish the Achaeans at the request of her angry son. When Achilles finally rejoins the battle, she commissions Hephaestus to design him a new suit of armor. A son of Zeus and twin brother of the goddess Artemis, Apollo is god of the sun and the arts, particularly music.
He supports the Trojans and often intervenes in the war on their behalf. Goddess of love and daughter of Zeus, Aphrodite is married to Hephaestus but maintains a romantic relationship with Ares. She supports Paris and the Trojans throughout the war, though she proves somewhat ineffectual in battle. The brother of Zeus and god of the sea.
Poseidon holds a long-standing grudge against the Trojans because they never paid him for helping them to build their city. He therefore supports the Achaeans in the war. Goddess of the hunt, daughter of Zeus, and twin sister of Apollo. Artemis supports the Trojans in the war. The messenger of the gods. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Iliad!
SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. What started the Trojan War? Why does Achilles refuse to fight for the bulk of the poem? Why does Zeus support the Trojans? Why does Hera defend the Achaeans? Why does Achilles finally rejoin the battle? Important Quotes Explained. Characters Character List.
Read an in-depth analysis of Achilles.
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