Question

"In Iliad book 16, three people are named by Patroclus as being his killers. Who was it that he claimed was ultimately responsible?"

a. Hector.
b. Apollo.
c. Achilles.
d. Zeus.

Answer 1

In the 'Iliad' book 16, Patroclus names three beings but ultimately holds the god Apollo responsible for his death. Though Hector delivers the fatal blow, he acts at Apollo's behest, and while Achilles's actions indirectly contribute, he is not directly blamed. The interplay of divine influence and heroism is a central theme in the history of these Greek heroes and their tragic fates.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Iliad book 16, Patroclus is mortally wounded and names three beings who are responsible for his death. However, he ultimately lays the blame on the god Apollo. There is a complicated interplay of divine and human actions leading to his demise, but it is Apollo who strikes the blow that seals his fate. Hector, being the one who actually kills Patroclus, is an instrument in Apollo's hands. While Achilles is not directly responsible for Patroclus's death, his absence from the battlefield and the decisions leading up to the events indirectly contribute to the tragedy. Finally, Zeus, as the king of the gods, is part of the overarching destiny that governs the fates of mortals, but he is not named by Patroclus as the primary cause of his death.

The story of Patroclus, Achilles, and Ajax is deeply intertwined with themes of heroism, fate, and the influence of the divine, as seen throughout the works that explore the narratives of the Trojan War and the portrayal of Greek heroes. Achilles, known for being dipped in the river Styx by his mother for invulnerability, is a hero fated for a short but glorious life. Ajax, another prominent hero, ultimately suffers a tragic end after being disgraced in the contest for Achilles's armor.

These tales exemplify the Greek understanding of heroism, the role of the divine, and the concept of fate, which often play out tragically for the human characters involved. This is well-captured in the various artworks, tragedies, and myths that have immortalized these stories and their characters, emphasizing the notions of human vulnerability and the inescapable nature of destiny.