Book 16

The beginnings of these books are getting progressively worse. Patroclus runs to Achilles crying like a little girl. He tells Achilles that the Danaans are losing the war, and almost all the best warriors are injured, and Achilles is calm. This upsets Patroclus, so he tells Achilles that if he doesn’t go into the battle, he will. Then Homer foreshadows Patroclus’ death. Stubborn Achilles tells Patroclus that he should go into battle, but he shouldn’t try to kill Troy, he should just provide the Greeks with assistance. The scene shifts to Ajax’s ship being burned and Ajax getting his butt whooped, and then it returns to Achilles and Patroclus. Achilles gets Patroclus all armored up, goes to his troop to inspire them, then goes back to his tent and sips some wine, praying to Zeus, asking him to protect Patroclus. Then Homer foreshadows Patroclus’ death. Patroclus goes on a killing spree, and kills and important Trojans- Sarpedon. Why is Sarpedon so important? He’s Zeus’ son! Oh snap! Zeus wants to save his son from death, but Hera tells him it isn’t fair, and so Sarpedon dies. With his last breath, he tells Glaucus to avenge his body. Hec-man and the gang (which includes Glaucus) honor Sarpedon’s wish and hunt down Patroclus. Patroclus then steals Sarpedon’s nice armor, while Sarpedon’s body gets trampled until it is unrecognizable. Hector and his troops retreat, but Patroclus gets greedy. Even though the Trojans are gone from the Greek camp, Patroclus wants to sack Troy. Apollo warns him four times that sacking Troy is a bad idea, but Patroclus does not listen. Apollo takes human form as a soldier and tells Hector that he can kill Patroclus because he is so close. Patroclus then tries to charge Troy another three times, and then Apollo knocks Patroclus’ helmet off, and knocks his spear away, allowing Patroclus to be stabbed with a spear. Patroclus falls on the ground, and mutters things to Hector, and then he dies.

Questions this chapter left me with: Why do I have to end this post on such a sad note? Oh well.