The root of all...

I really want to change the part of book 16, the part where Patroclus was killed by Apollo and Hector. First of all, that was unfair because Apollo snuck up on Patroclus and backstabbed him, giving Hector a chance to finish him off.

Patroclus killed by Hector

This triggered Achilles' rage and went on a rampage and killed many Trojans, including Hector. Hector's death caused many Trojans to flee and mourn. Well, who could blame Achilles. Who wouldn't be angry when your relative was killed? 

I'd like the story to be that Patroclus never went to battle the Trojans. Because with Patroclus, never partaking in the war would have never killed Sarpedon. Sarpedon was Zeus' mortal son. And with Sarpedon surviving Zeus would have never ordered Apollo to kill Patroclus which will lead to Achilles killing Hector. 

Hector, Troy's best captain

Now with Hector alive and well then the Trojans' moral would go up and they would have driven Menelaus and his men to the sea. Achilles, mourning for the loss of Briseis to Menelaus would have left Troy and never come back. Then Troy would be safe and would have peace. 

Priam, the king of Troy

You can see here in the story that everything is linked in a chain. One event leading to another, cause and effect, one death led to another. Mourning for the dead and a king ransoming his prince. It can be so grim like this. All the vengeance and stuff. I never really liked endings like this, many people killed because of one man's fault.

The Brave Little Soldier

During the course of the story, there was much interference by the Gods when Zeus was not looking. I think the God's (particularly Hera and Poseidon) were a little bit childish, because like a child they played with the Trojans and the Achaeans like toy soldiers when Zeus was not looking. In the part of the book where Zeus found out about their mischief with the war, he became angry and he sent Apollo to intervene to even up the battle. The battle raged, and the Trojans were advancing to the ships of the Achaean. Patroclus, Achilles' blood-relative began encouraging Achilles to take up his armor and join the battle but Achilles didn't want to so Patroclus took up Achilles' armor and he joined in the onslaught. 

Trojans were really afraid when they saw "Achilles" (Patroclus) joining and they started to lose their confidence and some retreated. This gave the Achaeans hope and they started to fight back with more determination. Patroclus began to kill many Trojans and this empowered the Achaeans. Patroclus led the attack and went as far as the gates of Troy. Patroclus even killed Zeus' mortal son, Sarpedon which angered Zeus and Zeus decided to kill Patroclus which led to the face off between Hector and Patroclus. Apollo secretly went behind Patroclus and wounded him as approved by Zeus. Then Hector attacked and killed Patroclus. Before Patroclus dies he was taunted by Hector but Patroclus foretells Hector's fall.

Like a brave little soldier, Patroclus risked his life to defend their ships and to fight the Trojans who were quickly advancing to their ships. He is really a noble soldier who killed many before he died and his reason for dying. His comrades were all with him (except for Achilles who was not fighting) and even killed Zeus' son Sarpedon. A true warrior and also a match for Hector (too bad they didn't fight long because of Apollo's interference)Patroclus died an honorable and noble death, each warrior wants a death like that. Even at a brink of death, he never shows weakness and even threatens Hector. It takes a lot to fight like that. What a brave little soldier...

The Fall of Man's Pride

The war of Troy brought about many deaths and sufferings, but can it kill a man's character? I think not. Even though men have their pride, King Agamemnon one of the proudest man I have ever read about in this book admitted his mistake and setting aside his pride, sent out an embassy to persuade Achilles to go with him to fight in the war against Troy. He offered him all that he took for him in return of him fighting again to help his people.

In this scenario King Agamemnon gave up his wrong attitude to help his people for the cause of war. He would rather have Achilles fight for him than let his people die and be defeated. He was doing it for the betterment of his kingdom and his army. Another example of why it does not destroy a man's character is the fight between Ajax and Hector. They were both sworn enemies who will fight to the end just to end this war. Night came and both agreed to stop fighting just this time instead of dueling until someone dies to honor nighttime. You can see here that there were no grudges or disputes between them after their duel because they were both noble and honorable men who have a sense of justness and chivalry.

So it really builds up a man's character rather than destroy it, because through difficult times where one must decide for his people's fate you can see his true side and when he chooses the right path, it builds up his character and makes him a better individual and instead of killing each other, he honors his rival and respects each others decision. I say, a war can really build up one's character,

Two Sides...

Prince Paris and King Menelaos, two great men who started the great battle of Troy. Both fighting for one woman, Helen. An example which is much seen on out time today, two different characteristics of men with one goal. A great battle was taking place at the great city were no one ever conquered, Troy. The battle for one woman and the battle to conquer the Troy. The foolishness of Paris was the cause of all this bloodshed and suffering. If only he'd bring Helen back to King Menelaos then all of this wouldn't have happened for soon all of Troy would burn to the ground and all hope for Troy would be destroyed. 

The cause of all these problems was because of a man's love for a woman, Paris of Troy and Helen of Sparta. King Menelaos, was clearly in this situation was greater than Paris. What foolish man would steal a man's wife in their own home? This triggered much of Menelaos' anger upon the Trojans and which started the war between them. As they were battling for Helen and Troy, Paris proposed to fight Menelaos in a duel where whoever wins gets Helen and their friendships would be restored. After much deliberation. all agreed and the fight was waited by many. Hera, the Goddess of Marriage had a great hatred for Troy and she persuaded Zeus to intervene with their fight and break their oaths. Zeus followed her and made Pandaros shoot Menelaos with his bow. Menelaos was hit and soon afterwards, he died. Agamemnon. his brother became furious and the battle began again. Truly an honorable man was Menelaos who fought until his last breath. 

In our present time, we can say that there are people like Menelaos in our lives. Those who fought hardly for their share and sometimes deprived of what they deserve. These people never give up and strive for what they want. There are some Paris in our lives too. Those who steal what is not theirs and those who only says words but has no actions.