Blog 3/16
Book 18 opens with Achilleus in front of the ships, caught up in his thoughts. Achilleus is wondering why the Achaians are being pushed up against their ships again, steering away from the battle field. We are told that Achilleus is pondering the prophecy that his mother Thetis told him. He then remembers that she said as he lives, one of the best Myrmidons must die under the hands of the Trojans. Achilleus then interprets this condition to mean the death of his beloved friend Patroklos. My question is, why didn't Achilleus check up during the fighting to see if Patroklos was okay? Was Achilleus confident that Patroklos would handle himself and fight off the Trojans? Did Achilleus fear what he may see? Or did Achilleus really believe that the Trojans would flee and not realize it was simply Patroklos in his armor?
I was thinking the same thing because if Achilles loved Patroklos so much as he claims, why did he allow him in the first place to go out? I think Achilles relied way too much on his prayers to Zeus which is find to be so impractical. There would obviously be people that would attempt to fight Achilles regardless, so him thinking that Patroklos wearing his armor would prevent any harm to Patroklos is very illogical.
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