No amount of bloodshed can ever make up for the loss of a loved one. This is demonstrated by Achilles butchering countless Trojans all because Patroclus was killed in battle. What does this all come down to? An angry, bitter man taking his grief out on innocent souls. Achilles turns into a cruel man because he chooses to become bitter instead of choosing to forgive.
This is exactly the same thing as a loved one dying in a drunk driving accident or being murdered. No amount of money could ever make up for that loss. There doesn't seem to be a punishment great enough for the perpetrator because real justice would be if the loved one never died.
It's hard to be sympathetic to Achilles because of the merciless way he kills all the Trojans, especially Lyacon, who begs for mercy. What Achilles failed to ask himself is if Patroclus would want him acting like a savage animal. Personally, I don't think that Patroclus would want Achilles acting like that. The same thing applies to when we loose a loved one. What would they want us to do after they're gone?
p.s. commented on samuel weeks
I completely understand what you are saying. How does killing numerous people make up for the life of Patroclus? At the same time we have to remember the setting Achilles and Patroclus are in. They are at battle and the enemy has just killed Patroclus who is Achilles' companion. So what other justice does he know other than going out and trying to win the battle by killing the enemy? To Achilles it's not killing innocent people, it's killing those who support the man who murdered his friend. Would Patroclus just want Achilles to kill Hector or would Patroclus want Achilles to go back into the war killing everyone he comes in contact with? So, do we feel sympathetic? Probably not, but in his head Achilles is probably doing what he would hope Patroclus would do for him.
ReplyDeleteI really like the point you are making with this. I feel like there are too many people who don't think about this. They just want to take vegence when that is not the answer. It's a war so Achilles should understand that people will get killed, even though it was his best friend, it's just part of war.
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