In this piece, you'll be introduced to a series of passages from my new translation of Homer's Iliad—rendered in accessible modern verse. The passages selected here illustrate one of the essential character arcs of Achilles, the epic’s central hero. This arc charts Achilles' emotional journey from wounded pride and stubbornness, through devastating grief and regret, and finally into overwhelming fury and desire for vengeance.
By exploring these excerpts closely, we can glean timeless lessons about leadership, the heavy price of inaction, and the enduring power of great literature to illuminate human nature. While the narrative of Achilles is broad and complex, these passages provide an insightful window into just one significant transformation he experiences. The Iliad's profound complexity and richness mean there are numerous arcs, themes, and messages still to explore beyond this selection.
Book 1: The Quarrel Between Achilles and Agamemnon
In the opening book of the Iliad, readers meet Achilles during a pivotal conflict that sets the epic’s plot into motion. The scene unfolds among the Greek warriors camped at Troy, nine years into a grueling siege against the Trojans. Two prominent leaders, Achilles and King Agamemnon, become embroiled in a heated argument. Agamemnon, the commander-in-chief of the Greek forces, has been forced to give up his war prize—a captive named Chryseis—to appease Apollo's wrath. In compensation, he demands Achilles' captive, Briseis, thus publicly dishonoring Achilles.
Achilles is not only the greatest Greek warrior but also proud and deeply concerned with personal honor and glory. Agamemnon's decision ignites Achilles' anger, causing him to refuse further participation in the war as an act of protest. This conflict dramatically showcases Achilles' intense pride and stubbornness. By withdrawing his invaluable combat skills, Achilles aims to demonstrate his worth and indispensability.
This moment highlights themes of honor, pride, leadership, and respect, emphasizing how personal disputes among leaders can carry disastrous consequences for entire communities. Achilles' anger and subsequent withdrawal underscore the destructive potential of ego and personal vendettas. Readers should observe how Achilles grapples internally with his rage, wrestling with an impulse towards violent retaliation, before eventually choosing bitter isolation. His withdrawal lays the foundation for all future tragedies and transformations he experiences.
Book 1: The Quarrel Between Achilles and Agemmemnon
Then swift Achilles, anger in his voice,
Replied with scornful words against the king:
“You shameless man, so greedy and so sly!
Why would the Greeks all follow you with trust
Or fight their hardest in the heat of war?
I did not come to fight the Trojan spears
For my own sake—they never harmed my lands.
The Trojans never raided Phthia’s fields,
Nor drove away our cattle or my steeds.
Between us lie the mountains and the seas—
The high, wide mountains, shadowed, dark, immense.
We came because of you, great greedy king,
To win back honor for your brother’s name,
And for yourself, the king who knows no shame.
But now you care not for the Greeks at all,
And threaten to take what I’ve earned in war.
I worked so hard for that, the prize I hold,
Given by the army, justly won by me.
When Greeks attack the walls of Troy, it’s me—
My hands that do the hardest work of all.
But when the gains are counted at day’s end,
The greatest share is handed over to you.
I take the smallest, but I bear it back,
To rest beside my ships when I am done.
Now I’ll return to my home, for it's far
More worth my time than staying here in vain.
I do not think you’re worth my fighting for,
Nor will you pay me what you promised here.”
Then Agamemnon answered with cold scorn:
“Go if you wish—your heart is full of pride.
I beg you not to stay here at my side.
I have the favor of the mighty gods,
And others here will honor me as well.
But of all kings, I hate you the most,
For you love quarrels, battles, endless fights.
Yes, you’re strong, but that’s no gift of yours—
A god has given you that strength alone.
Now leave! Go home and lead your Myrmidons,
I do not care or fear your wrathful heart.
But know this well—and let all hear my words:
As Apollo takes the girl away from me,
I’ll send her back across the sea in ships,
But I will come and take your prize instead—
The lovely Briseis, given by the Greeks.
So you will know how much more strong I am,
And none may dare to claim to be my equal.”
He spoke, and fiery anger filled the heart
Of brave Achilles, torn within his soul.
Should he pull out his sword beside his thigh
And rise to strike the mighty king in rage?
Or calm his heart and hold his anger back?
As these thoughts stormed inside his chest and mind,
He reached to draw his heavy, mighty sword,
But suddenly, Athena came from heaven,
Sent by the kind command of Hera’s will,
Who loved them both and cared for all the Greeks.
Athena stood behind Achilles then
And seized his golden hair, unseen by all—
Invisible to all but him alone.
Achilles halted, startled by her touch,
Then quickly turned to see the goddess there,
And knew her by the blazing of her eyes.
He spoke to her with sudden wary words:
“Why have you come, O daughter born of Zeus?
Have you come down to witness Agamemnon
And see the insults that he's thrown at me?
But let me tell you—and I think I’m right—
This boasting will soon lead him to his doom.”
Then bright-eyed Athena spoke in calm reply:
“I came to stop your anger in its tracks,
If you will listen to the gods' command.
I came from high Olympus at the word
Of Hera, queen of heaven, who loves you both.
So stop the fight, and put away your sword.
Don’t strike, but use your words to shame the king.
One day, you’ll be repaid—three times over—
For the dishonor Agamemnon brings.
Be patient now; trust me, and hold your fire.”
Then swift Achilles answered her at once:
“Goddess, I know your word is always strong,
And though my heart is wrathful, I will yield—
A warrior must listen to the gods and bow.”
With that, he placed his mighty hand upon
The silver hilt, and thrust the great sword back
Into its sheath, as Athena had asked.
Then she returned to heaven, leaving them,
Her mission done, to stand with Zeus again.
But still Achilles’ anger had not cooled.
He faced the king, and spoke with biting words:
“You wine-soaked fool, with shameless, dog-like eyes
And heart as soft and timid as a deer!
You care not for the wars on open fields,
Nor ever join the fights with brave Greek men.
It’s easier for you to take away
The prizes of your captains, with cruel hands.
You act the coward, and devour their spoils,
But you would never face the battle’s edge.
And now, you threaten me with loss and pain—
But know this, mark my words, and hear me well:
By this scepter, which will never sprout a leaf,
Now carved and shaped by human hands, once green,
But now carried by leaders of the Greeks,
Who stand for justice and protect the law—
I swear to you, a day will surely come,
When all the Greeks will cry out for my help.
The men will fall, cut down by Hector’s hand,
And you will weep, but I will not fight then—
You’ll tear your heart in sorrow, full of grief,
When you see what you’ve lost because of me.”
Book 18: Achilles’ Lament for Patroclus
By Book 18, Achilles' earlier decision to withdraw from battle has had profound consequences. His closest friend and beloved companion, Patroclus, has been killed by Hector, the greatest Trojan warrior, while wearing Achilles' armor in battle. Patroclus' death becomes a turning point, plunging Achilles into overwhelming grief and profound regret.
In this passage, Achilles learns of Patroclus' tragic fate from Antilochus, who delivers the heart-wrenching news. The emotional intensity of Achilles’ response starkly contrasts with his earlier prideful isolation. He is suddenly confronted with the devastating realization that his inaction indirectly caused his friend's death. Achilles is engulfed by grief, despair, and remorse, tearing at his hair and mourning openly, his emotional suffering underscored by the poignant reactions of those around him.
This scene also introduces Achilles’ divine lineage through his mother, Thetis, a sea goddess who mourns alongside him, foretelling the hero’s grim destiny. Achilles begins to fully comprehend the human costs of pride and anger. This profound moment illustrates not only the personal sorrow caused by loss but also highlights how leaders bear responsibility for their decisions, especially when their choices carry unintended and irreversible consequences.
BOOK 18 Achilles’ Lament
While Achilles wrestled with his troubled heart,
Antilochus came in tearful grief.
He cried aloud, delivering his news:
"O son of Peleus, how can I bring
Such dreadful tidings to your noble ears?
Oh, how I wish this evil were untrue—
But Patroclus is dead, your dearest friend,
And now they battle for his lifeless form,
While Hector wears his armor proudly still.
Then as he spoke, a heavy cloud of grief
Descended on Achilles’ anguished soul.
With both his hands he scooped the dusty earth,
Then poured it over head and handsome face.
His shining robe was darkened by the ash,
And on the ground he stretched his mighty frame,
Grieving, tearing at his flowing hair.
The captive women, who had fought by him,
Cried out, for sorrow gripped their tender hearts.
They ran to him and circled all around,
Beating their chests, their strength undone by grief.
But Antilochus, close by, shed his tears,
And clutched Achilles’ hands to hold them fast;
He feared the man might harm himself with steel.
Achilles roared—a sound that reached the sky,
And deep beneath the sea his mother heard,
Seated beside her ancient father there.
She cried aloud, and all her daughters came—
The nymphs who dwelt beneath the rolling waves
Poured in, their arms of sea-blue stretched so wide.
They rushed from depths below in grief and haste,
Their arms outspread to join her mournful cries.
The mighty cave was filled with wailing sounds,
And Thetis led the chorus of her pain:
"Oh sisters, hear the sorrow in my heart.
You know the tragic fate that I must bear.
Cursed am I, so cursed to have a son—
So brave, so strong, the very best of all—
He towered like a mighty oak, so tall.
But now I know he will not come back home.
I sent him far to fight the Trojan war,
And now he shall not walk these halls again.
As long as he still sees the light of day,
His heart must bear a burden harsh and deep,
And nothing I can do will ease his pain.
But I must go to him and share his grief,
And learn what has so driven him to woe."
Thus speaking, Thetis left the gleaming cave,
And all the weeping nymphs walked close beside,
While crashing waves accompanied their march.
They soon arrived at Troy, the distant shore,
Where Myrmidons’ ships were tightly packed
Around the resting place of grieving Achilles.
His heavy sighs still filled the air with grief.
His mother knelt beside him, clasping his head,
And cried aloud in soft, yet sorrowed tone:
"My son, why do you weep? What pain assails?
Speak now—don’t hide it deep within your breast.
Zeus has fulfilled the wish you once declared,
When you prayed that all the Greeks should bear
Great suffering, and that you would fight for them."
But Achilles, swift of foot, then groaned aloud:
"Mother, 'tis true—Zeus granted my request;
Yet what joy comes when my dearest friend,
Patroclus—whom I cherished above all—is dead,
And I shall never see his kindly face?
And Hector—he has plucked from off the field
The armor of my friend, so bright and bold,
That wondrous gift the gods once gave our sire,
On that long day when you, my mother, wed.
Had you remained among the gods that day,
And wed a man who lives eternally,
You would not share this endless, bitter grief,
The sorrow of losing me ere my time.
For I will die, as did my dearest friend,
And never will I find my way back home.
While Hector lives, no peace will grace my heart
Till I have struck him down, and Troy falls—
And Patroclus’ death is avenged at last."
Then, through her tears, his mother softly wept,
And whispered, "Yes, my son, it is so true:
Your life will end in sorrow, far too soon,
For once you slay proud Hector, death draws near."
Achilles, swift of foot, then sighed in pain,
And answered with a voice both sharp and sad:
"I wish I had died with him upon that day,
For I could not protect him as he fell.
He died so far from home, from life, from love,
And I was left too distant to wield spear,
Or shield him from the cruel hand of fate.
Now I can neither return home again,
Nor aid Patroclus or those who fought.
I have failed them all—Hector has overthrown
Our hopes, while I have but stood by my ships.
I am the best of Greeks when war is waged,
Yet in their councils others speak with art.
If rage could be restrained in mortal hearts,
It would not bring such grief upon our souls.
It seems as sweet as honey from the comb,
But like dark smoke, it spreads and chokes the heart.
Agamemnon’s pride has clouded all my mind
And led me down a path of bitter pain.
But now I must let go of what has passed
And turn my aim toward the just and right.
I’ll seek out Hector—he who slew my friend—
And when my fate at last has come to me,
I’ll face it, as the gods decree in time.
Even mighty Heracles could not
Escape the heavy grip of death and fate;
Though loved by Zeus his father, he still fell,
For Queen Hera’s wrath had pulled him to his doom.
"So I shall share the fate that he has met,
But first I’ll win great glory for my name.
I’ll make the Trojan women bow their heads,
And wipe away their tears with trembling hands.
For when they hear the cries of those who fall,
They’ll know that Achilles has returned to war.
Do not hold me back from battle, dearest mother—
Though you may love me, you cannot change my mind."
Book 18: Flame-Capped Achilles
In this compelling passage, we witness Achilles’ grief quickly hardening into determined vengeance. Driven by an overwhelming desire to avenge Patroclus' death, Achilles prepares to return to battle against the Trojans. Having lost his armor, he must momentarily appear on the battlefield unarmed, aided instead by divine intervention. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, adorns Achilles with an awe-inspiring supernatural appearance, enveloping him in golden light and flames.
Achilles’ reappearance on the battlefield symbolizes his transformation from sorrowful mourner into an instrument of relentless vengeance. He stands at the edge of the Greek camp and releases a terrifying war cry, amplified by divine assistance, causing panic and confusion among the Trojans. The visual and auditory spectacle of Achilles, enhanced by Athena, reinforces his near-mythical status and the overwhelming power he embodies.
This striking image vividly conveys the profound impact a single warrior’s presence can have on the morale of both allies and enemies. Achilles' return marks a shift in the narrative momentum of the Iliad, renewing Greek hope while instilling fear into their Trojan adversaries. It also highlights the intensity and destructive potential of vengeance, demonstrating how profound personal loss can propel individuals toward extraordinary, even devastating, actions.
BOOK 18: Flame-Capped Achilles
Then mighty Athena, goddess of wisdom,
Shrouded his broad shoulders in a soft cloud,
And crowned his head with golden, streaming light.
And from that light a glowing flame did rise,
Like smoke that rises from a town by sea,
Where townsfolk battle foes throughout the day,
Yet raise their torches high into the sky,
So that far allies may come to lend their aid.
Thus from Achilles’ head the flames soared high.
Then Achilles strode toward the trench and stood,
Yet did not join the Greeks in further fight;
He heeded well his mother's wise command.
And standing there he let a mighty cry
Resound, while Athena, ever loud,
Stirred terror deep within the Trojan ranks.
Like a trumpet’s blast that sounds ‘round cities
Under siege, so clear did his strong voice rise.
And when the Trojans heard that bronze-filled cry,
Their hearts were shaken, filled with sudden fear.
Their splendid horses, manes like silken strands,
Spun round in panic, sensing pain ahead.
The charioteers grew still at endless fire
That blazed above the head of Achilles—
The flames, set forth by bright-eyed Athena, shone.
Three times did Achilles cry aloud, and three
Times, both the Trojans and their comrades,
Were thrown in fright, scattering like drifting dust.
Twelve of their finest men fell in the rush,
Falling beside both horses and their spears.
Meanwhile, the Greeks raised cheers in thanks to see
Patroclus’ body saved from harm;
They laid him gently down upon a bed,
While friends wept sorrow for their dear loss.
Achilles followed, tears of grief in flow,
To gaze upon his friend, by bronze affrighted,
The very one he sent with chariot and steeds,
Who would not evermore return to him.
Then Queen Hera sent the blazing sun forth,
Against its will, down to the Ocean's stream,
To put an end to that harsh day of war.
The sun sank low, and all the Greeks felt glad
To rest from fighting and the clash of swords.
The Trojans, weary from the strain of battle,
Released their horses, tired from endless war,
And gathered, standing still in fear and shock.
None dared to sit, for dread had seized their hearts,
For they had seen Achilles on the field—
For long it had been since he fought in battle.
Afterward: Achilles as Guardian
The enduring legacy of Achilles extends beyond Homer’s original epic, continuing to inspire individuals confronting their own battles throughout history. Patrick Shaw-Stewart, a British soldier during World War I, profoundly illustrates this enduring influence in his poem, "I Saw a Man This Morning." Shaw-Stewart penned this moving piece while temporarily away from the front lines of the Gallipoli campaign—a battlefield strikingly close to the ancient site traditionally identified with the Trojan War.
In his poem, Shaw-Stewart draws a direct emotional parallel between himself and Achilles. He wrestles deeply with the idea of returning to deadly combat, mirroring Achilles’ reluctant yet decisive return to battle following profound personal loss. Shaw-Stewart invokes Achilles as a symbol of courage, strength, and resilience—qualities he desperately sought within himself as he prepared to face the terrifying uncertainty ahead. The powerful imagery of Achilles becomes a beacon, a sort of guardian spirit guiding him through internal turmoil, echoing the timeless resonance and emotional depth of Homer’s epic.
“I saw a man this morning”
By Patrick Shaw-Stewart
I saw a man this morning
Who did not wish to die
I ask, and cannot answer,
If otherwise wish I.
Fair broke the day this morning
Against the Dardanelles;
The breeze blew soft, the morn's cheeks
Were cold as cold sea-shells.
But other shells are waiting
Across the Aegean sea,
Shrapnel and high explosive,
Shells and hells for me.
O hell of ships and cities,
Hell of men like me,
Fatal second Helen,
Why must I follow thee?
Achilles came to Troyland
And I to Chersonese:
He turned from wrath to battle,
And I from three days' peace.
Was it so hard, Achilles,
So very hard to die?
Thou knewest and I know not—
So much the happier I.
I will go back this morning
From Imbros over the sea;
Stand in the trench, Achilles,
Flame-capped, and shout for me.
Achilles' Enduring Courage
For Patrick, the figure of Achilles was more than mere literary inspiration; Achilles was like a guardian angel, embodying courage in the face of insurmountable odds. The soldier's invocation of Achilles demonstrates how deeply Homer’s epic penetrates human consciousness, providing comfort, strength, and resolve even in the most harrowing moments of existential crisis. Ultimately, Shaw-Stewart drew courage from Achilles' legendary bravery, embracing his duty with valor and dignity, despite knowing the deadly risk that lay ahead. In the end Patrick’s return to battle meant he would meet the same fate that Achilles would.
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