*** A character analysis of Patroclus"

 

What could be the possible "reactions" of both the Trojan and Greek army when they realized that it was Patroclus who was killed? Give a narration for both sides.

There will be different reactions between the Trojan and Greek army when they realized that it was Patroclus who was killed. On the side of the Trojans, at first they will rejoice and be glad for they thought that it was Achilles who was killed. They will jump for joy for their strongest foe was dead. Trojans and Lycians will feel a sudden relief because there will be a little chance for the Greeks in destroying the walls and conquering their beloved City of Troy. They will feel fulfillment in their hearts for their hardships and sacrifices didn't end up with nothing. Hector and Euphorbos will be proud of themselves because they have killed the world's greatest warrior, Achilles. Trojans will consider Hector a hero for saving the sacred walls of Troy from the mighty beast, Achilles. They will pay much honor to him by saving them on the battlefield. The whole Trojan army will have their spirits uplifted and they will have the strong drive to fight the Greeks. But, when they realized that it was Patroclus who was killed their positive reactions will change. Trojans will be terrified for they know that Achilles will revenge for his brother Patroclus. The death of Patroclus will send the mighty Achilles into battle and this might be the end of Troy for no man can ever defeat Achilles. Upon knowing Patroclus' death, Trojans will prepare themselves for the retaliation of Achilles.

On the side of the Greeks, first, they will be sad and hopeless for they knew that Achilles was killed. They will mourn for the death of their greatest warrior. They will feel hopeless because Achilles is the only one who can defeat Hector and put an end to the city of Troy. But when they notice that Patroclus was the one who died, they will be confident in the war because they knew that Achilles will revenge for the lost of his brother.

 

Based on these reactions, who was Patroclus as a warrior, and as a man?

As a man, Patrolus is an understanding brother. He understands the resentment of his elder brother, Achilles. He respects every decision of Achilles and obeys it at once for he thinks that his brother knows best. Patroclus was entirely opposite of Achilles in terms of attitudes. He is a kind-hearted man for he responded to the call of the Greeks when their ships were near to destruction. He values the lives of his comrades.

As a warrior, Patroclus was like his brother. He was superior in terms of spearmanship. He was the greatest spear man next to Achilles. He is strong and well-skilled during the war but his negligence to his brother's warning results to his death. He became over confident when he had killed a number of Trojans in battle so he struggles to go near the walls of Troy but Apollo prevented him. His disobedience led him to destruction and the worst was his death.

 

 

Bonus:

"Let each man turn straight to the front, come death, come life- that's how war and battle kiss and prattle"

(By Hector- Book XVII p. 250)

In this passage, Hector was trying to convince his man in taking the body of Patroclus from the Greeks. Hector showed greediness for he didn't care of his comrades, all he wants is to have the armor of Achilles. Hector didn't have respect to the body of the dead. He didn't realize that he was lucky for having Apollo on his side. If Apollo didn't intervene, he may be killed.

In this passage, Homer conveys the reality of the war/battle. In a war there is always winners and losers; you can be either alive or dead. Homer was trying to say that war has no benefits at all. War has always a painful cost which is our precious gift of life. Misunderstandings can be resolved through peace talks and conversations not by war/battle. Only God can take our lives because he is our Creator. Our borrowed lives cannot be taken by arms only God has the right to take it.