Write your “version” of the story.
Narrate how it will affect the entire story or ending of the Iliad
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Opening lines of the Iliad
"Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus
and its devastation, which put pains thousandfold upon the Achaians,
hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls
of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting
of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished
since that time when first there stood in division of conflict
Atreus’ son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus. . . ."
There were events that I want to change in Iliad but the most that I want to replace are the events in Book XXII, which is about the “Death of Hector”. I did not quite agree on how events took place in this chapter. Hector and Achilles are the major characters in Iliad but Homer overwhelmingly showcased Achilles’ evil traits. He was supposed to be a Greek ‘Hero’ and I believe that Homer should portray his character as what a real hero should be. It was heartbreaking to read through the chapter and find out how Hector died in the hands of Achilles. With this, I wanted to share a version of mine written as follows:
Hector stayed in front of the Scaian gates. The old King Priam and his wife Hecube tried to persuade him to come inside but Hector ignored their pleas. Hector was determined to face Achilles amidst the fact that Achilles is a stronger warrior than he is. He feels he must defeat Achilles to avenge the deaths of many Trojans and protect the city of Troy.
There outside Troy, Hector stood fast and awaited the coming of his tremendous foes.
On one side, Apollo revealed himself to Achilles. Apollo mocked him and told Achilles that he can’t kill a god. Knowing it was Apollo, Achilles was so furious that he turned back to Troy. King Priam saw him coming and once more, begs Hector to come inside. Again, their efforts just fell into Hector’s deaf ears. Soon Achilles reached the gate of Troy.
There stood Hector waiting for him. Achilles is fuming mad upon seeing Hector. Hector sees these in Achilles eyes. He knew that his rage would give him added determination to kill him. Hector started a dialogue. He told Achilles that he delivered the final blow to Patroclus but Apollo threw the first strike at him followed by Euphorbos. These words pacified Achilles a bit but still enraged by the fact that his friend died in the hands of Hector.
Hector spoke “ My dear Achilles, this is the duel that we can’t both avoid. If it is really my fate to die in your hands, then let it be. But like a proud warrior of Troy, I will defend my city with all my might and power. Let Trojans and Acheans witnessed two of their own fight with pride. Let not your heart fool you. Fight for the Acheans and not just your friend Patroclus.”
Achilles stood firm and words in his mouth came “I shall give you a good fight. No blood oozing from your body will be worthless. It shall be a mark of your courage as you fight until your last breath”.
Zeus, and the other gods and goddesses decided not to intervene in the duel. They all agreed to stay still and watched the outcome of a great fight.
Hector said, “ If Zeus gives me endurance and I take your life, I will do no vile outrage to your body. I will take your armor, and your body I will give back to your people so that they can give you a proper burial as their prince and hero. You do the same”.
Achilles came to his senses and replied “A prince as you mentioned should embody reverence for his opponent’s sense of personal dignity. I shall award you of what you want and respect your body once it finally rests on the ground”.
The two swore and soon after, the duel started.
Hector was the first one to throw his spear but missed. He knows that he has only one spear remaining. He throws the last one and it barely hit Achilles. Now it was Achilles turn. He aimed his arrow to Hector and released it. Hector catches the arrow approaching him and with his sword, he went rushing to Achilles to attack him. Achilles knows the armor Hector is wearing. He pointed the arrow at the collarbone that pierced Hector’s neck but not his windpipe.
On the ground lying while his blood oozing, Hector spoke “Paris with the help from Apollo will kill you at this same gate where you killed me. May the same promise that we swore today be honored the same way that you will when your time comes”. And Hector died.
Achilles honored his promise. He summoned King Priam to take Hector’s body for a proper burial at Troy. King Priam further asked Achilles to hold the battle for eleven days until Hector funeral is over. Achilles holds King Priam’s hand and granted his request.
How my story affected the ending of Iliad
The chapter ended as foreseen. Hector died in the hands of Achilles. I did not like the narration of Hector’s body being ravage brutally by Achilles to think that he is one of the major characters in Iliad. My version of the story already brought up the good side of Achilles. It would therefore be clear that Book XXIV can be re-titled to ‘Hector’s funeral’ instead of ‘Priam and Achilles”. Iliad’s ending is tragic but it would be soothing for the readers to know that Hector death was not marked with brutality and disrespect that would have been caused by Achilles.
Below is a movie capturing Achilles and Hector's duel. The movie scene did not really showed the way Hector was struck by Achilles but it's worth watching.
