The Role of Patroklos in The Iliad of Homer

The Role of Patroklos in The Iliad The Role of Patroklos in The Iliad

In the Illiad , Patroklos is one of the minor characters which help the author to create a story conflict , emotional tension and story development . In the poem , he appears in the ninth book only as a comrade of Achilles . Thesis On the one hand , Patroklos embodies eternal values of an ideal hero on the other hand , he reflects and unveils thoughts of Achilles playing the role of his advisor and friend

Homer uses the character of Patroklos to

depict and highlight thoughts of Achilles and other characters . The significance of this technique is that readers have a possibility to compare self-appraisal of the characters with Patroklos ' perception of them and their values . With the help of Patroklos , it is possible to compare different frames : inner world of the heroes , reality and eternal heroic values . Homer uses this character to bring objectiveness to the narration , and uncover the major themes . Throughout the poem Homer describes him as : Noble Patroklos comrade Patroklos , etc . Patroklos proposes a view of man 's essential nature which one might more normally expect to find argued in a philosophical treatise

Patroklos plays a role of an advisor who supports and guides other characters : Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him (Homer . For instance , Patroklos has to persuade Achilles to continue fighting and return to battlefield . Finding uncertainty even in divine intervention , Patroklos can approach nobility only by honestly admitting his passive power , by openly preferring to pursue paternal motivations

Homer depicts weaknesses of Patroklos during battles in to create a story conflict and develop the plot . This human model Homer presents in the action of his hero , in the double activation of the dual intention . The Homeric perspective which insists upon the reciprocity between the individual and the community finds its fullest poetic embodiment in the deeds performed by Patroklos . Thus , Patroklos is depicted as a brave soldier : for by killing their leader , who was the finest / soldier among them , Patroclus struck panic into them all (Homer . Patroklos provides Homer with the occasion for the most extraordinary presentation , corresponding perfectly to the poem 's dramatic movement : the central image associated with Achilles ' new identity

The kind of love which united Achilles with Patroklos is the basic formative element of the poetically synthesized society . Achilles assimilation into Argos is brought about by his love for another individual . So the new society , previously threatened by the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon , is now reformed by Achilles reintegration . And it is made more durable . His rejection expresses a moral evolution . The relations between Achilles with Patroklos are based on heroic code and war theme

Patroklos ' role in the Iliad becomes one with his poetic role both within and beyond that world - as an example . The relative weakness of Patroklos is that he has gone beyond propriety in taking the fight away from the ships . Antilochos announces the fateful news by equating Hektor 's...