CLASSICS 1B03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Sarpedon, Myrmidons, Iliad

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Classics
• Course: CLASSICS 1B03
• Professor: Kathryn Mattison

Document Summary

First time achilles and patroclus are seen speaking together for a long period of time. Patroclus comes to achilles, upset, and achilles mocks him, comparing him to a little girl. Achilles concession: only fight to save the ships (he will only fight if hector reaches the ships) Tells patroclus to only fight a little. Achilles believes that if patroclus fights and is successful, it will be harder for achilles to achieve. Almost out of nowhere, the greek ships caught fire. The narrative is slowed, patroclus arms and prepares to lead the myrmidons (achilles" men) into battle. Patroclus puts on achilles armor but does not take his spear (only achilles can yield it) Achilles prays to zeus- shows the depth of his concern. In battle, patroclus kills many, including sarpedon, son of zeus. Zeus demonstrates concern for sarpedon, questioning whether or not he can save sarpedon.