Final answer:
Achilles refuses Hector's request to return his body to his family if killed, highlighting the brutal aspects of the Trojan War and the intense grudge held by Achilles in Homer's 'Iliad.'
Step-by-step explanation:
When Hector and Achilles meet in battle, Hector asks Achilles if he will return his body to his family if he is killed, to which Achilles refuses, indicating that nothing could persuade him to show such mercy.
This exchange occurs in Homer's ancient epic poem, the Iliad, which depicts the events of the Trojan War and highlights the themes of honor, fate, and the wrath of Achilles. The refusal symbolizes the intense animosity and the harsh realities of war during that era, and it foreshadows the tragic fate that awaits both warriors. The conversation between Hector and Achilles is pivotal, demonstrating Achilles' relentless wrath and the inevitable, cruel outcomes of war.