Books 16-17 are about LOSS. Patroclus, Achilles's closest companion, enters battle wearing Achilles's armour, wins spectacular victories, but is killed by Apollo, Euphorbus, and Hector. Book 17 depicts the desperate struggle over his body. Understanding their relationship is ESSENTIAL to understanding why this death matters so much—why it's the PIVOT of the entire epic.
Why This Relationship Matters for Books 16-17
Patroclus's death isn't just another battlefield casualty. It's the emotional CORE of the Iliad. He dies BECAUSE Achilles withdrew (Greeks are desperate). He dies WHILE WEARING Achilles's armour (assumes his identity). His death will transform Achilles completely—from angry philosopher-warrior to grief-maddened destroyer. Books 16-17 are the hinge on which the entire epic turns.
The Setup: Books 1-15
To understand Book 16, we need the backstory:
Book 1: Achilles withdraws from battle after Agamemnon seizes Briseis—his honour (timē) is damaged
Book 11: Patroclus sees wounded Greeks, weeps, feels responsible even though HE didn't withdraw
Books 11-15: Greeks pushed to breaking point—Hector reaches ships, threatens to burn fleet
Book 16 opens: CRISIS. Patroclus can no longer watch Greeks die. He MUST act.
💡 The Tragic Set-Up
Patroclus's death is INEVITABLE from Book 1. Achilles's withdrawal creates desperate situation → Patroclus (compassionate, unable to watch suffering) MUST intervene → He enters battle → He dies. Achilles's principled stand costs him the person he loves most. That's the tragedy.
Two Complementary Characters
Patroclus: The Gentle Heart
Compassionate, kind, cannot watch suffering without acting. The Greek who weeps for OTHER PEOPLE. Fights not for glory but to save friends. Beloved by everyone. The human face of heroism.
Achilles: The Isolated Warrior
Principled, stubborn, philosophically able to accept Greek casualties as "proof" he's necessary. Sings of heroes while men die. Values personal integrity over collective good. Needs Patroclus to connect him to humanity.
They're OPPOSITES—which is why they need each other. Patroclus grounds Achilles in empathy and social connection. Achilles gives Patroclus strength and protection. In Book 16, that balance breaks. Patroclus enters battle WITHOUT Achilles's protection. And he dies.
Patroclus: The Therapōn
Patroclus is called Achilles's therapōn—companion, attendant, ritual substitute. He's not Achilles's equal in combat, but he's his CLOSEST friend. More importantly, he represents everything Achilles LACKS: compassion, emotional connection, the ability to feel others' pain.
Patroclus's Core Trait: Compassion
Patroclus FEELS other people's suffering. He can't watch Greeks die without wanting to help. This isn't weakness—it's the OPPOSITE of Achilles's principled detachment. Where Achilles can philosophically accept casualties, Patroclus sees dying men and MUST act. This compassion drives him into battle. And kills him.
Book 11: Patroclus Weeps
Book 11 shows us Patroclus's character BEFORE Book 16's crisis. Achilles sends him to find out who's been wounded. On his way back, Patroclus encounters Eurypylus, injured and struggling. And Patroclus STOPS to help—delays returning to Achilles to tend another man's wound.
"When Patroclus saw him, he pitied him and spoke with winged words: 'Poor man! So you are destined to die far from home, all because of me.'"
"Poor man": Personal, human address—not tactical assessment
"because of me": Patroclus feels GUILTY for Greek suffering even though he didn't withdraw
He stays to help: Delays his mission to Achilles to care for Eurypylus
Notice: Patroclus says "because of me." He's internalised Achilles's absence as HIS responsibility. Where Achilles can intellectually justify his withdrawal, Patroclus FEELS the cost in dying men. This guilt drives everything in Book 16.
Book 16: "Streaming with Warm Tears"
Book 16 opens with the DEFINING image of Patroclus: standing before Achilles, WEEPING. Not for personal loss. For OTHER PEOPLE.
"So they fought on like blazing fire. Meanwhile Patroclus came up to Achilles, shepherd of the people, streaming with warm tears like a dark-water spring that pours its dusky stream down the face of a beetling rock."
— Book 16, opening lines
The Simile of the Spring
Homer compares Patroclus's tears to a NATURAL SPRING flowing down rock. It's constant, unstoppable, NATURAL. Patroclus's compassion isn't a choice or a mood—it's his NATURE. He can't stop weeping for Greeks' suffering any more than a spring can stop flowing. This simile tells us: Patroclus's compassion is fundamental to who he is.
"Swift-footed Achilles saw him and pitied him, and spoke to him with winged words: 'Why these tears, Patroclus, like some little girl who runs beside her mother and wants to be picked up, clutching her dress and holding her back though she is in a hurry, and looking at her tearfully till she picks her up? That is what you are like, Patroclus, with your glistening tears.'"
— Achilles to Patroclus, Book 16
💡 Achilles's Response
Achilles compares Patroclus to a LITTLE GIRL wanting comfort. This is affectionate (not cruel), but shows the gap between them. Achilles can still joke while men die—he's emotionally detached. Patroclus CAN'T detach. And Achilles finds this both endearing and slightly childish. He doesn't yet understand that Patroclus's compassion is strength, not weakness.
Patroclus's Plea: "Ruthless Man"
Patroclus's speech to Achilles is one of the most emotional in the Iliad. He BEGS Achilles to relent—not for honour, not for glory, but for COMPASSION.
"Ruthless man, your father was not the horseman Peleus, nor was Thetis your mother. The grey sea gave you birth and the towering rocks, so hard is your heart. But if in your mind you are avoiding some prophecy and your lady mother has told you something from Zeus, at least send me out quickly, and let the rest of the Myrmidons follow me, and I might yet bring light to the Greeks. And give me your armour to wear on my shoulders, so the Trojans may take me for you and break off the fighting."
— Patroclus to Achilles, Book 16
Breaking Down the Speech
"Ruthless man": Direct accusation—you're being CRUEL, not principled
"The grey sea gave you birth and the towering rocks": You're inhuman, cold, hard as stone
"so hard is your heart": Problem isn't your MIND (philosophy) but your HEART (emotion)
"if you are avoiding some prophecy": Grasps for rational explanation—maybe gods forbid it?
"I might yet bring light to the Greeks": Desperate hope—let ME help if you won't
"give me your armour": The FATAL request—Patroclus will die wearing Achilles's identity
This speech is devastating because Patroclus is RIGHT. Achilles IS being ruthless. His heart IS hard. But from Achilles's perspective, Patroclus doesn't understand: this isn't cruelty—it's PRINCIPLE. They're operating from incompatible moral frameworks: Patroclus (compassion for suffering individuals) vs Achilles (integrity of personal honour).
Patroclus's Character Traits
✓ Strengths
Compassionate, empathetic, brave despite fear, loyal to Achilles, gentle but capable warrior, beloved by all Greeks, emotionally honest, connects naturally with others
✗ Weaknesses
Cannot detach emotionally, will disobey Achilles's limits, less skilled than top warriors, compassion makes him vulnerable, unable to accept suffering philosophically
The Tragedy of Patroclus
Patroclus dies because he's too GOOD. If he were more like Achilles—able to detach, philosophise, prioritise principles over people—he could stay safe. His compassion drives him into battle. His compassion kills him. Homer shows us: in the world of the Iliad, the kindest die first.
Achilles: Absent but Present
Achilles doesn't FIGHT in Books 16-17, but he's EVERYWHERE. Patroclus wears his armour. Hector strips it from Patroclus's body and wears it himself. The Greeks fight desperately to recover Patroclus because he's ACHILLES's beloved companion. Achilles's absence created this crisis; his presence (through Patroclus) defines the battle.
Achilles in Book 16: The Man Who Says Yes (Reluctantly)
After refusing EVERYTHING in Book 9—gifts, pleas, friendship appeals—Achilles finally YIELDS. Not to Agamemnon. Not to restore his honour. But because Patroclus WEEPS. Because someone he loves is suffering. This shows: Achilles CAN be moved. But only by personal emotion, not social obligation.
Achilles's Compromise: The Fatal Decision
Achilles agrees to let Patroclus fight—but with CONDITIONS. These conditions reveal both his love for Patroclus and his inability to see what will actually happen.
"Put on my armour and lead the war-loving Myrmidons into battle... But when you have driven them from the ships, come straight back. Even if Zeus grants you the glory of victory, do not press on to fight the Trojans without me—you will only make my honour less. And do not, in the joy and excitement of battle, press on towards the city, or one of the immortal gods from Olympus may intervene. Apollo loves the Trojans dearly."
— Achilles to Patroclus, Book 16
Achilles's Instructions
"Put on my armour": Gives Patroclus his IDENTITY—Patroclus becomes Achilles's substitute
"when you have driven them from the ships, come straight back": Clear LIMIT—defend only, don't pursue
"you will only make my honour less": Still thinking about TIMĒ—not Patroclus's safety
"do not, in the joy and excitement of battle, press on": Knows Patroclus will get carried away
"one of the immortal gods... may intervene": PROPHECY—this is exactly what happens (Apollo)
⚠️ The Fatal Flaw in the Plan
Achilles's plan requires Patroclus to STOP when the Greeks are safe. But Patroclus is driven by COMPASSION for suffering Greeks. Once he's winning, he can't just STOP—more Greeks will die if he doesn't press the advantage. Achilles's limit is RATIONAL. Patroclus's nature is EMOTIONAL. The two are incompatible. The plan is doomed from the start.
What Achilles Doesn't Understand
Achilles makes a CRUCIAL miscalculation. He thinks Patroclus will fight like HE would—for personal glory, with tactical discipline, knowing when to stop. But Patroclus fights from COMPASSION. He can't stop while Greeks are suffering. He pushes too far. And dies.
What Achilles Thinks Will Happen
Patroclus drives Trojans from ships
Follows orders, returns immediately
Stays safe under Achilles's protection
Greeks are saved, Achilles's timē increases
What Actually Happens
Patroclus drives Trojans from ships ✓
Gets "carried away in joy of battle"
Pushes to Troy's walls, kills Sarpedon
Apollo intervenes, Patroclus dies
💡 Achilles's Blindness
Achilles doesn't understand Patroclus's nature. He thinks Patroclus fights for the same reasons HE does (glory, honour, tactical objectives). But Patroclus fights from COMPASSION. He can't watch Greeks suffer. So when he's winning, he CAN'T stop—more will die if he does. Achilles's rational limit meets Patroclus's emotional drive. Tragedy ensues.
Achilles Across Books 1-16
To understand Achilles in Book 16, we need to track his journey:
Book 1 Achilles
State: Angry, wounded pride Action: Withdraws from war Motivation: Protect personal honour Result: Greeks start losing
Book 9 Achilles
State: Philosophical, questioning Action: Refuses all compensation Motivation: Personal integrity over social pressure Result: Greeks become desperate
Book 16 Achilles
State: Moved by Patroclus's tears Action: Lets Patroclus fight in his armour Motivation: Love for Patroclus (but with limits) Result: Patroclus dies
The Arc of Achilles (Books 1-16)
Achilles moves from ABSOLUTE REFUSAL (Book 9: won't help Greeks under any circumstances) to CONDITIONAL COMPROMISE (Book 16: will help through Patroclus, with limits). This shows: personal emotion (Patroclus's tears) can move him where diplomatic appeals cannot. But his compromise is too limited. He wants to help Greeks AND preserve his honour AND keep Patroclus safe. He can't have all three. His half-measure costs Patroclus his life.
Achilles's Strengths and Weaknesses in Book 16
✓ Strengths
CAN be moved by personal emotion, loves Patroclus deeply, tries to protect him with instructions, recognises divine danger (warns about Apollo), genuinely cares about Greek suffering (just won't compromise his principles)
✗ Weaknesses
Doesn't understand Patroclus's nature (thinks he'll follow orders), still prioritises his own honour ("you'll make my timē less"), can't see that his half-measure solution is impossible, pride prevents full reconciliation which would save Patroclus
Defining Their Bond
The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is the EMOTIONAL CENTRE of Books 16-17. Homer never defines it explicitly—ancient audiences would understand it through multiple frameworks: warrior companions (hetairoi), deep friendship (philia), or erotic love (erōs).
What Matters for A-Level
You DON'T need to argue whether it's romantic or platonic. What matters: (1) it's the DEEPEST bond in these books, (2) it makes Achilles human and vulnerable, (3) Patroclus's death is devastating BECAUSE of this bond, (4) the relationship reveals character through CONTRAST—they're opposites who need each other.
How Homer Presents Their Relationship
Textual Evidence from Books 1-16
They share a tent: Complete life partnership—eat together, sleep in same space, live as unit
Patroclus serves Achilles: But also challenges him ("ruthless man")—intimacy allows honesty
Achilles YIELDS to Patroclus: Only person who can move him emotionally after Book 9 refusal
Achilles gives Patroclus his armour: Symbolic sharing of identity—Patroclus becomes Achilles's extension
Achilles PRAYS for Patroclus: To Zeus, for his safe return—shows fear of losing him
"my dear companion":philos hetairos—most common term, emphasises affection + partnership
"Zeus, hear me. I am sending my dear companion to fight, and I ask you to put courage in his heart, so that even Hector may learn whether my therapōn knows how to fight alone, or whether his hands are invincible only when I myself enter battle. But when he has driven the enemy from the ships, let him come back to me at the ships unharmed, with all his armour and his close-fighting men."
— Achilles praying to Zeus for Patroclus, Book 16
Achilles PRAYS to the highest god for Patroclus's safety. This is extraordinary—heroes usually pray for victory, glory, success. Achilles prays for PATROCLUS TO COME BACK ALIVE. "Unharmed." This reveals: losing Patroclus terrifies him more than losing honour.
Complementary Opposites
Achilles's Traits
Brilliant but isolated
Principled to point of cruelty
Can detach from others' suffering
Intellectually questions everything
Values personal integrity above all
Patroclus's Traits
Gentle but capable
Compassionate to point of self-sacrifice
Can't ignore others' suffering
Emotionally responds to everything
Values saving lives above personal honour
They're COMPLEMENTARY—each provides what the other lacks. Achilles gives Patroclus strength, protection, status. Patroclus gives Achilles empathy, emotional connection, humanity. Together they're complete. Apart, both are vulnerable. Book 16 proves this: Patroclus enters battle without Achilles's protection. And dies.
Power Dynamics
Hierarchical Elements
Achilles commands, Patroclus obeys: Military hierarchy clear—Achilles gives orders
Patroclus wears Achilles's armour: Assumes his identity, becomes his substitute
Patroclus called therapōn: Technically subordinate role—companion/attendant
Achilles is the legendary warrior: Patroclus is skilled but not in same league
Emotional Equality
Patroclus criticises Achilles: "ruthless man"—no other Greek dares speak like this
Achilles yields to Patroclus's tears: Personal emotion moves him when nothing else can
They share everything: Tent, food, daily life—complete intimacy
Achilles PRAYS for Patroclus: Shows vulnerability, fear of loss—not just command
💡 Complex Relationship
The relationship combines HIERARCHY (military command) with INTIMACY (emotional equality). Patroclus defers to Achilles in WAR but challenges him in HEART. This complexity makes it feel REAL—not idealised or simplified, but containing tensions and balances of actual human bonds. It's this complexity that makes Patroclus's death so devastating.
Book 16: Patroclus's Aristeia and Death
Book 16 is structured as a RISE and FALL. Patroclus enters battle, achieves spectacular success (his aristeia or "finest hour"), pushes too far, and dies. Homer makes us FEEL the tragedy by showing us Patroclus at his most heroic—then killing him.
The Structure of Patroclus's Death
(1) Success: Patroclus drives Trojans from ships, kills many including Sarpedon (Zeus's son)
(2) Warning: Apollo tells him to stop—"your fate is not to take Troy"
(3) Transgression: Patroclus ignores limit, pushes to Troy's walls
(4) Divine punishment: Apollo strikes him from behind, stuns him
(5) Death: Euphorbus wounds him, Hector delivers killing blow
Patroclus's Success: The Aristeia
When Patroclus enters battle wearing Achilles's armour, he's DEVASTATING. Trojans think Achilles has returned—they panic and flee.
"The Trojans, when they saw the son of Menoetius and his companion blazing in their armour, were all struck with panic, and the ranks wavered, for they thought that swift-footed Achilles had abandoned his anger at the ships and chosen friendship instead. Every man looked this way and that to see where he might escape death."
— Trojan reaction to Patroclus, Book 16
Notice: "chosen friendship instead"—Trojans think Achilles has reconciled with Agamemnon. The DECEPTION works. Patroclus becomes Achilles's substitute, carries his identity and terrifying reputation. This gives him power—but also marks him for death (Apollo protects Trojans, will stop "Achilles").
Patroclus's Victories
Drives Trojans from ships: Achieves Achilles's stated objective
Kills many Trojans: Homer lists victims—Patroclus is EFFECTIVE warrior
Kills Sarpedon (Zeus's son): His greatest kill—proves he's elite fighter
Fights over Sarpedon's body: Strips armour despite Trojan resistance
Pursues to Troy's walls: Trojans flee in terror—thinks he's Achilles
Why Homer Shows Success First
Homer makes Patroclus SUCCEED brilliantly before killing him. Why? To make the death MORE tragic. We see Patroclus as HERO—brave, effective, saving Greeks. Then he's killed. If he'd died immediately, we'd pity him as victim. By showing his aristeia FIRST, Homer makes us admire him—then lose him. The emotional impact is devastating.
The Fatal Mistake: Ignoring Achilles's Limit
Patroclus achieves Achilles's objective: drives Trojans from ships. He SHOULD return now. But he doesn't. He presses on, driven by his success and his compassion (more Greeks will die if he stops).
"There he would have taken the city of Troy, if Apollo had not taken his stand on the well-built wall. Three times Patroclus climbed the angle of the high wall, and three times Apollo beat him back, pushing against his bright shield with his immortal hands. But when Patroclus charged for the fourth time like a god, Apollo shouted terribly at him: 'Back, Patroclus! It is not your fate to sack the city of Troy, nor even Achilles's, who is far better than you.'"
— Apollo confronts Patroclus, Book 16
What This Scene Reveals
"Three times... three times": Patroclus's persistence—won't give up even against god
"like a god": His aristeia has made him superhuman—fighting beyond mortal limits
Apollo intervenes personally: Shows how close Patroclus comes—god must stop him
"not your fate": Divine limit—some things mortals cannot achieve
"nor even Achilles's": Even Achilles won't take Troy (falls after Iliad ends)
"who is far better than you": Reminder of hierarchy—Patroclus is mortal, limited
⚠️ Why Patroclus Can't Stop
Patroclus SHOULD retreat after Apollo's warning. But he can't. He's driven by (1) success—he's WINNING, Greeks are being saved, (2) compassion—more will die if he stops now, (3) battle-fury—"joy and excitement" Achilles warned about. His very nature—compassion + inability to stop while Greeks suffer—drives him past Apollo's warning. To his death.
Patroclus's Death: The Triple Attack
Patroclus's death is carefully orchestrated by Homer. It takes THREE attackers—because Patroclus is too skilled to be killed fairly by a mortal alone.
The Three Stages of Death
First, Apollo intervenes: Strikes Patroclus from BEHIND, knocks off helmet, breaks spear, loosens armour
Second, Euphorbus wounds him: Spear in the back while Patroclus is dazed and defenceless
Third, Hector kills him: Spear thrust to belly—finishing blow to dying man
"Apollo came up behind him through the press and struck him on the back and broad shoulders with the flat of his hand, and Patroclus's eyes spun round. Apollo knocked the helmet from his head... and the horsehair crest was defiled with blood and dust. The long-shadowed spear broke in his hands, the great shield fell from his shoulders, and Apollo loosed his breastplate. His wits were blinded, his splendid limbs gave way beneath him, and he stood there dazed."
— Apollo strikes Patroclus, Book 16
The Horror of Divine Attack
"struck him from behind": Cowardly blow—not face-to-face combat
"knocked the helmet from his head": Strips his protection—ACHILLES's helmet
"horsehair crest was defiled": Symbolic—Achilles's glory defiled in dust
"his wits were blinded": Not just physical—mental confusion, helplessness
"stood there dazed": Patroclus helpless, like sacrificial victim
This is NOT a fair fight. Apollo disarms Patroclus, leaves him defenceless. THEN Euphorbus attacks from behind. Only THEN does Hector deliver killing blow. It takes a GOD + warrior + greatest Trojan to kill Patroclus. This emphasises: (1) how skilled Patroclus was, (2) how unfair his death is, (3) divine intervention determines outcomes.
Patroclus's Dying Words
"Hector, make your proud boast now. Victory has been given to you by Zeus son of Kronos and Apollo, who overpowered me easily—they stripped the armour from my shoulders. But if twenty men like you had confronted me, they would all have died here, broken by my spear. No, deadly fate and Apollo killed me, and among men, Euphorbus. You came third and only stripped my armour. And I tell you this—mark my words well—you yourself will not live long. Death and powerful fate already stand close beside you, and you will be brought down by the hands of Achilles, the peerless son of Peleus."
— Patroclus to Hector, dying words, Book 16
What the Dying Speech Reveals
"make your proud boast now": Sarcasm—Hector didn't win fairly
"Zeus... and Apollo... overpowered me easily": Acknowledges divine intervention, not defeat
"if twenty men like you had confronted me": Even dying, asserts his superiority
"You came third": Brutal honesty—Hector only finished what gods/Euphorbus started
"you yourself will not live long": PROPHECY—Patroclus foresees Hector's death
"Achilles... will bring you down": Final thought is of Achilles—their bond transcends death
The Prophecy
Patroclus's dying prophecy is ACCURATE. Hector WILL die at Achilles's hands (happens in Book 22). Even in death, Patroclus has prophetic clarity. His final words aren't forgiveness or peace—they're VENGEANCE. He promises Achilles will avenge him. This prophecy links Patroclus's death directly to Hector's future doom.
The Meaning of Patroclus's Death
"As he spoke, the end of death enfolded him. His soul flew from his limbs and went down to Hades, bewailing its fate, leaving manhood and youth."
— Patroclus's death, Book 16
"Leaving manhood and youth"—not "leaving life" or "leaving glory." Homer emphasises WASTE. Patroclus dies YOUNG, before living a full life. All that compassion, all that goodness, cut short. This phrase makes his death feel like robbery—potential stolen, future erased.
What Patroclus's Death Means
The good die protecting the proud
Compassion is fatal in war
Divine intervention determines outcomes
Substitution fails—can't replace Achilles
Heroic success leads to overreach, death
What It Sets Up
Achilles will return to battle (Book 19)
His grief will be cosmic (Book 18)
He'll kill Hector (Book 22)
Mēnis shifts from Agamemnon to Hector
Entire second half of epic flows from this
💡 The Tragic Causation
Trace the chain: Agamemnon dishonours Achilles (Book 1) → Achilles withdraws → Greeks desperate (Books 8-15) → Patroclus (compassionate) can't watch suffering → Enters battle to save Greeks → Pushes too far (driven by compassion) → Apollo kills him → Achilles will return in grief-rage. ONE act of dishonour in Book 1 leads inexorably to Patroclus's death in Book 16. That's how Homer constructs tragedy.
Book 17: The Fight for Patroclus's Body
Book 17 is dominated by the struggle over Patroclus's corpse. Hector strips Achilles's armour from the body and wears it himself. Greeks fight desperately to recover Patroclus—not for tactical reasons, but because he's ACHILLES's beloved companion. The entire battle becomes about PATROCLUS.
Why the Body Matters
Honour: Recovering the body allows proper burial—denying it is ultimate dishonour
Love: Greeks fight for Patroclus because they loved him—he was kind to everyone
Fear of Achilles: If they lose Patroclus's body, Achilles's rage will be uncontrollable
Symbolic: Patroclus's body represents Achilles himself—losing it means total defeat
Book 17 shows us how much Patroclus mattered to EVERYONE, not just Achilles. Menelaus, Ajax, and others risk their lives for his corpse. They succeed—the body is recovered. But Achilles's armour is lost. Hector wears it, symbolically claiming Achilles's identity. This sets up their final confrontation.
Character Contrasts in Books 16-17
The best way to write about Patroclus and Achilles is through CONTRAST. Homer deliberately makes them opposites to show different types of heroism and different responses to war.
Trait
Patroclus
Achilles
Motivation
Compassion for suffering Greeks
Personal honour and integrity
Response to crisis
Must act immediately to help
Can philosophically accept casualties
Emotional expression
Weeps openly, wears heart on sleeve
Controlled, detached (until Book 18)
Relationship to others
Universally loved, connects easily
Isolated, feared and admired
Combat approach
Fights to save, gets carried away
Fights for glory, maintains control
Fatal flaw
Compassion (can't stop helping)
Pride (can't compromise)
Death cause
Pushed too far helping others
Will die avenging Patroclus (later)
They're OPPOSITES in almost every way—which is why they NEED each other and why Patroclus's death is so devastating to Achilles. He loses his opposite, his balance, his connection to humanity.
Essay Ideas: Patroclus and Achilles in Books 16-17
Character Analysis
How does Patroclus's compassion contrast with Achilles's pride?
Why does Patroclus ignore Achilles's instructions?
What does "ruthless man" reveal about their relationship?
How does the armour symbolise their connection?
Why does Achilles pray for Patroclus's safety?
Thematic Analysis
What does Patroclus's death reveal about compassion in war?
How does divine intervention determine Patroclus's fate?
Why is Patroclus's aristeia shown before his death?
What makes Patroclus's death tragic rather than just sad?
How does Book 16 function as pivot of the epic?
Using This Material in Essays
Connecting to Themes
Mortality: "leaving manhood and youth"—emphasises waste of young death
Heroic values: Patroclus fights from compassion (alternative to glory-seeking), dies because he cares
Divine intervention: Apollo's role shows gods determine outcomes, not human skill
Friendship/love: Their relationship is deepest bond in these books—makes death devastating
Tragic causation: Achilles's withdrawal (Book 1) leads inevitably to Patroclus's death (Book 16)
💡 Essay Technique
Always connect their relationship to LARGER MEANINGS. Don't just say "Achilles loved Patroclus"—analyse what this reveals. Why does Homer make compassion fatal? What does Patroclus's death tell us about the cost of Achilles's principled stand? How does their relationship complicate our understanding of heroism? Always ask: what does this reveal about Homer's world?
The Bigger Picture: Why Books 16-17 Matter
Books 16-17 are the HINGE of the entire Iliad. Here's why:
Structural pivot: Everything before leads to Patroclus's death; everything after flows from it
Emotional climax: The relationship that makes Achilles human is broken—he'll become inhuman afterwards
Thematic centre: Shows the COST of heroic values—the good die protecting the proud
Causal link: Patroclus's death is CAUSED by Achilles's withdrawal—his principled stand costs him everything
Character transformation: Achilles goes from angry philosopher (Books 1-16) to grief-monster (Books 18-22) to human again (Book 24)
Divine justice: Apollo intervenes—shows gods protect favourites, regardless of human deserving
The Ultimate Tragedy
Patroclus dies BECAUSE of Achilles's principled refusal to fight (Greeks desperate) AND BECAUSE of his own compassion (can't watch suffering) AND BECAUSE Achilles gives him limited permission (half-measure fails). Three causes converge: Achilles's pride + Patroclus's compassion + Achilles's compromise = death. Homer shows us: good intentions, principled stands, and genuine love can't protect you from tragic consequences. That's why it's TRAGEDY.
Final Key Points for Revision
Patroclus: Compassionate, gentle warrior who fights to save Greeks, weeps for others' suffering, dies because he cares too much
Achilles (Books 1-16): Isolated by pride, philosophically able to accept Greek casualties, yields only to Patroclus's tears, gives limited permission that dooms Patroclus
Their relationship: Deepest bond in these books—opposites who need each other (compassion vs pride, emotion vs intellect)
Book 16 structure: Patroclus succeeds brilliantly (aristeia) THEN pushes too far THEN dies (triple attack: Apollo + Euphorbus + Hector)
Why he dies: (1) Ignores Achilles's limit, (2) Apollo intervenes (divine determines fate), (3) compassion drives him beyond safety
Dying prophecy: Patroclus foretells Hector's death—links his death to Achilles's future vengeance
Book 17: Fight over body shows how much Patroclus mattered to everyone, not just Achilles
Tragic causation: Achilles's withdrawal (Book 1) → Greek desperation → Patroclus must act → death. One dishonour cascades to this.