Blog post for 03/09

It may seem so random, however I found one small part in book 19 of The Iliad to just be so confusing. When Achilleus was sitting during breakfast and mourning Patroklos’ death and reminiscing of his dear friend. Even Brieis is mournful because even she knew Patroklos and of how well she was treated by him. The weird part is how Zeus, who practically ordered for Patroklos to die, thus not fulfilling one of Achilleus’ wishes, feels bad when he witnesses Achilleus mourning his friend at this time. He ordered Athena to go down and fill Achilleus with nectar and ambrosia, knowing he would not eat until his friend’s death is avenged and he has killed Hector. This just seems so odd to me how Zeus basically causes Patroklos to die knowing what it would do to Achilleus, yet feels bad for Achilleus afterwards and even “feeds” him. What made him have such this momentary “soft spot” for Achilleus?