The Iliad, Books XVIII-IXX

Achilles mourns Patroclus, Thetis asks for new armor for her son.

• Achilles explains that he is angry and distraught over Patroclus's death.

• He says he only wishes for revenge; ​Thetis asks him to wait until she has brought him new armor.

Thetis asks Achilles to wait

• Thetis asks Hephaestus to make new armor for Achilles.

  • New shield (super detailed!)

  • New armor

• She brings it to Achilles, who immediately wants to go to war.

Thetis requests Hephaestus's aid

Achilles refuses to eat as he mourns Patroclus and prepares for war.

• Thetis brings the new armor to Achilles.

• All of the Greeks are impressed by it; Achilles eagerly gathers the Greeks.

Achilles receives new armor

• Achilles tells Agamemnon he wants to forget their quarrel; Agamemnon offers the same gifts he did before.

• Odysseus counsels waiting and feasting before diving back into war.

Achilles is ready; others recommend patience

• While the rest of the Greeks eat and prepare for battle, Achilles sits by himself and mourns the death of BFF Pat.

• He chastises his horses for not bringing Patroclus back alive, and one replies that they could have done nothing more to save Patroclus, and that they cannot save him when it is his time.

Achilles mourns