The Sacrifice of Patroclus
Glory Above Love
In The Iliad, a poem detailing the rage of Achilles, two fates are offered to the hero: a long life or a glorious life. By refusing to fight for Agamemnon in defense of his own pride, Achilles paints himself into a corner, forcing him to find a means of obtaining glory without sacrificing his pride. Only the death of his dearest friend could allow for a change in heart that would justify the path to his violent young death and eternal glory within the walls of Troy. Achilles sends Patroclus to his death because he values glory and his pride more than Patroclus’ life. This mistake costs Patroclus his life while necessary for Achilles to discover his own vulnerability and humanity.
The trap Achilles sets for himself is sprung when his pride sets his heart against Agamemnon. Upset at having to surrender his prize female to appease the god Apollo, and at Achilles’ insolence, Agamemnon takes ownership of Briseis from Achilles, which sparks Achilles’ rage towards Agamemnon. Achilles refuses to take up arms against the Trojans and threatens to return home with his troops. But Achilles’ goddess mother, Thetis, visits him and he asks her to go to Zeus and request his assistance in allowing the Trojans to inflict enough damage on the Achaeans to show them how much they need his services. At this point, Achilles had threatened to leave, and could have…
