Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
I am filled with grief and worries. It has completely overcome my whole body to the degree where I cannot think about anything going on around me. My husband Hector told me tonight that he wants to leave to go fight in the Trojan war. I did all I could to talk him out of this, but he refused to stay behind. He told me it was not noble, and everyone in our city would be counting on him to help fight.
I cannot stand the thought of this. I grew up having lost my father, and that is the last thing I want for our son. We made the choice to have him, and he did not ask to lose his father. This is not fair to our family. I understand why he wants to contribute and do all he can, but knowing the consequences and outcome of the situation I feel it's selfish of him not to put his family first. If he truly loved us as much as he should, he would think of us and how we feel.
All this mess could have been prevented had his brother just been a little less self involved and left Helen in Troy. I get sick of seeing Hector always picking up after his brothers messes, especially when Paris is too busy making love to Helen to go help fight. This puts my whole family at risk and it's just more than I can handle for now. I don't want anyone coming to tell me bad news of my husband's fate.
When he said goodbye to us tonight, it was all I could do to hold in the screams I felt inside. I know in my heart he can never make it back to us after this war. He knows, chances are this will be the end of us as a family. We do not deserve this. He needs to be here for us, and to watch our son grow old. A male's duty is to be there to protect his family, but instead he's too involved in protecting our whole city. We need to stick together, and we have the option to, he just doesn't feel that it is right. I am proud of the kind of man he is, but I love him more. My son and I need him more.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Thetis worrying for her son
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
As a mother, it is my nature to worry. My son Achilles is getting involved in an argument between himself and Agamemmnon because they want to take his prize of honor, Briseis, from him. He is furious with having this honor taken from him and doesn't want to leave her. He is so angry with Agamemmnon and Nestor that he has been threatening to leave town. I hate to see my son so upset about something given to him being taken away. I can understand his pain, but at the same time, he lets his anger and hurtful words get in the way of everything. He knows his life is not destined to be a long one and yet he gets this fury built up inside himself and wants to fight anyone to the death to get what he wants. He needs to learn to control himself, but he is lucky the gods are looking out for him. I just simply do not understand why anyone would want to waste the short time they have left, knowing their fate is to have a short life, on feeling sad and miserable. It pains me to see my son wasting time in his life.
The other night he cried and called to me asking for a favor. After hearing his cries I came up out of the salt waters and comforted him. He asked me, knowing Zeus respected me and would help me after all the help I had given him in the past, if I would ask Zeus to honor him by aiding the Trojans in battle, and having the Greeks die by their ships.
It pains me to see me son so stricken with grief and hurt. I hate to see him feeling such misery. I just feel I owe it to him to at least ask this favor from Zeus, knowing it could help him enjoy the short life he has left. The main reason I decided to do this for him was because he agreed to staying away from council meetings that get him riled up, away from battle, and staying near his ships for safety. I know how much he loves battle and war, so the fact that he agreed to keep out of it for me to get this favor in return shows me how much it means to him. I just want to do all I can for my son with the short life he has left. I will feel comfort knowing he will be away from war and battlefields.
As a mother, it is my nature to worry. My son Achilles is getting involved in an argument between himself and Agamemmnon because they want to take his prize of honor, Briseis, from him. He is furious with having this honor taken from him and doesn't want to leave her. He is so angry with Agamemmnon and Nestor that he has been threatening to leave town. I hate to see my son so upset about something given to him being taken away. I can understand his pain, but at the same time, he lets his anger and hurtful words get in the way of everything. He knows his life is not destined to be a long one and yet he gets this fury built up inside himself and wants to fight anyone to the death to get what he wants. He needs to learn to control himself, but he is lucky the gods are looking out for him. I just simply do not understand why anyone would want to waste the short time they have left, knowing their fate is to have a short life, on feeling sad and miserable. It pains me to see my son wasting time in his life.
The other night he cried and called to me asking for a favor. After hearing his cries I came up out of the salt waters and comforted him. He asked me, knowing Zeus respected me and would help me after all the help I had given him in the past, if I would ask Zeus to honor him by aiding the Trojans in battle, and having the Greeks die by their ships.
It pains me to see me son so stricken with grief and hurt. I hate to see him feeling such misery. I just feel I owe it to him to at least ask this favor from Zeus, knowing it could help him enjoy the short life he has left. The main reason I decided to do this for him was because he agreed to staying away from council meetings that get him riled up, away from battle, and staying near his ships for safety. I know how much he loves battle and war, so the fact that he agreed to keep out of it for me to get this favor in return shows me how much it means to him. I just want to do all I can for my son with the short life he has left. I will feel comfort knowing he will be away from war and battlefields.
Paris's curse of good looks
Tuesday, Febuary 12, 2008
Aphrodite has blessed me with magnificent looks, but sometimes I think it's a curse to be this handsome. I have felt my whole life that I am the black sheep of the family. My brother Hector has always been the grungiest of us, but he has always been noble, courageous and victorious in battle while I don't ever get as involved. I am not as into all that as he is. Hector has a wife and son who adore him that he is able to provide for and take care of, where I don't have to worry about any baggage back at home. I have to look out for number one. That is my number one priority. If I don't take care of myself, then who will?
I don't know how it should be considered my fault for causing such an uproar in this town for following my feelings. I knew right from the moment I laid eyes on Helen that she had to be mine. So what if she belongs to Menelaus. I am the better looking and more charming catch. I am without a doubt much more good looking than her husband and can fulfill her needs better than he can. Bringing her back with me was the right thing to do, even if everyone I know disapproves.
I should not have to participate in a war that I do not agree with. This is all being blamed on my affection for Helen, and I feel this is caused over something very childish. People need to learn to mind their own business. Helen is with me now, and I don't have time to be gone all day and night fighting when that's not even my strongest quality anyway. I have better things to fill my days with, rather than going out and exhausting myself with agression. I much prefer to spend my time locked away in my room making love with Helen.
My brother has been getting on me lately to be a man and help out in this war that I "created." I am deciding maybe that's the only way to get everyone off my back and to start minding their own business.
Aphrodite has blessed me with magnificent looks, but sometimes I think it's a curse to be this handsome. I have felt my whole life that I am the black sheep of the family. My brother Hector has always been the grungiest of us, but he has always been noble, courageous and victorious in battle while I don't ever get as involved. I am not as into all that as he is. Hector has a wife and son who adore him that he is able to provide for and take care of, where I don't have to worry about any baggage back at home. I have to look out for number one. That is my number one priority. If I don't take care of myself, then who will?
I don't know how it should be considered my fault for causing such an uproar in this town for following my feelings. I knew right from the moment I laid eyes on Helen that she had to be mine. So what if she belongs to Menelaus. I am the better looking and more charming catch. I am without a doubt much more good looking than her husband and can fulfill her needs better than he can. Bringing her back with me was the right thing to do, even if everyone I know disapproves.
I should not have to participate in a war that I do not agree with. This is all being blamed on my affection for Helen, and I feel this is caused over something very childish. People need to learn to mind their own business. Helen is with me now, and I don't have time to be gone all day and night fighting when that's not even my strongest quality anyway. I have better things to fill my days with, rather than going out and exhausting myself with agression. I much prefer to spend my time locked away in my room making love with Helen.
My brother has been getting on me lately to be a man and help out in this war that I "created." I am deciding maybe that's the only way to get everyone off my back and to start minding their own business.
Priam's Diary: Death of Hector
My son, Hector, has fallen. I knew this day would come. Like many sons before him, so his shade has gone to join theirs. Achilles you beast! You villain! To kill a man over honor, land, women, to please the gods; these are times that men must fight and die with honor. You have killed my son and robbed him of his honor and his resting place. Until he has burnt on the funeral pyre, has been given a proper burial, and his remains are placed in the earth his spirit will find no rest. Achilles defiled my son by stabbing him even after he was dead and then dragged his mortal remains behind his chariot to harm him even further by desecrating his body.
Tomorrow I will go and meet with Achilles to barter for my son’s remains. I will offer him many great gifts and pray that he takes pity on an old man who only wishes to honor his son one last time. Agamemnon is also old like me. Perhaps Achilles will pity me as he would for his own father.
Andromache is beside herself with grief. What am I to tell her? How can I comfort her when I cannot comfort myself? Hector has left his wife a widow and his son an orphan. I should have known better than to let him outside the walls of Troy after Patroclus was killed. Of course Achilles would come for Hector seeking revenge for his fallen companion. I know that Hector fought so that the women of Troy would not be taken by the Greeks to be enslaved, but now his wife has no husband and Astyanax has no father. All of this may have been avoided if Paris had not taken that woman. Helen and her possessive beauty have killed my son. I must rest now for tomorrow I may meet my end at the end of Achilles spear. Zeus, be merciful and allow an old man to put his child to rest.
Tomorrow I will go and meet with Achilles to barter for my son’s remains. I will offer him many great gifts and pray that he takes pity on an old man who only wishes to honor his son one last time. Agamemnon is also old like me. Perhaps Achilles will pity me as he would for his own father.
Andromache is beside herself with grief. What am I to tell her? How can I comfort her when I cannot comfort myself? Hector has left his wife a widow and his son an orphan. I should have known better than to let him outside the walls of Troy after Patroclus was killed. Of course Achilles would come for Hector seeking revenge for his fallen companion. I know that Hector fought so that the women of Troy would not be taken by the Greeks to be enslaved, but now his wife has no husband and Astyanax has no father. All of this may have been avoided if Paris had not taken that woman. Helen and her possessive beauty have killed my son. I must rest now for tomorrow I may meet my end at the end of Achilles spear. Zeus, be merciful and allow an old man to put his child to rest.
Hector's Diary: Patroclus's Death
I killed a great man today, the Greek man Patroclus, and best friend of Achilles. He was leading an army of men and had disguised himself as Achilles by wearing his armor. My men were getting hit hard by Patroclus's forces and had been forced to fall back to the walls of Troy. I was standing at the Scaean Gates watching the battle and trying to decide if I should sound my men to retreat to within the safety of the tall walls of Troy or stay and attempt to back Patroclus and his Myrmidons back toward their hollow ships. My uncle soon persuaded me that Apollo would help me fight the Greeks and that I should stay in the fight.
We fought all day and seemed to be winning at first, but by dusk my men were exhausted and Patroclus fought on pushing my troops ever backward. Patroclus had somehow lost his balance and dropped his shield. His spear broke and he seemed to be fatigued, lost in a daze. It wasn't until then that Patroclus was stabbed in the back by a Trojan spear. I was overjoyed to see him fall to his knees, blood covering Achilles armor, and for the briefest moment I thought I was staring at Achilles beaten broken body. Apollo, I sense your great hand had something to do with this victory.
I rushed upon Patroclus and lunged my spear into his chest wanting him to know that it was I who killed him. He told me before he died that it was my fate to die by Achilles. If I am to die I will make it a glorious death! I will end my life and all will know man-slaying Hector once protected them. Hector who fought Achilles so that Trojan woman would not be enslaved. I removed Achilles armor from Patroclus's lifeless corpse and took it for myself. I would have taken Patroclus's stinking hide too if Ajax hadn't been protecting his fallen friend. I wish I could see Achilles rage when he learns of his friend's death.
We fought all day and seemed to be winning at first, but by dusk my men were exhausted and Patroclus fought on pushing my troops ever backward. Patroclus had somehow lost his balance and dropped his shield. His spear broke and he seemed to be fatigued, lost in a daze. It wasn't until then that Patroclus was stabbed in the back by a Trojan spear. I was overjoyed to see him fall to his knees, blood covering Achilles armor, and for the briefest moment I thought I was staring at Achilles beaten broken body. Apollo, I sense your great hand had something to do with this victory.
I rushed upon Patroclus and lunged my spear into his chest wanting him to know that it was I who killed him. He told me before he died that it was my fate to die by Achilles. If I am to die I will make it a glorious death! I will end my life and all will know man-slaying Hector once protected them. Hector who fought Achilles so that Trojan woman would not be enslaved. I removed Achilles armor from Patroclus's lifeless corpse and took it for myself. I would have taken Patroclus's stinking hide too if Ajax hadn't been protecting his fallen friend. I wish I could see Achilles rage when he learns of his friend's death.
Hector's Diary: Retrieving Paris
My brother, Paris is a coward! This is a war that began because of him and yet he sits here in his bedroom, safe behind the walls of Troy. I must protect Troy and all those within its walls because I am Hector of the shining helm, Hector the man-slayer. Surely Paris doesn't think he can avoid battle forever and shield himself from the bronze-coated Greeks. I only hope I can persuade Paris to follow me back to the battle without having to harm him. Paris will have to leave Helen's side, as I have had to leave the side of my wife, Andromache and my young son, Astyanax.
I will need all the help I can summon for the Greeks are fierce and will only grow stronger once Achilles leads them. Achilles, we will meet each other in single combat soon and I will overtake you because I am man-slaying Hector, the strongest of the Trojans. It is my duty and my destiny to kill Achilles. Surely the god's favor me, for how could they be against me.
Helen. Zeus curse all Greeks! I march atop the walls of Troy thru shadow and light, mist and rain, sweaty and fearful all for the desire of one man for one woman! So much death, so much destruction and hatred brought about over a beautiful woman. Aphrodite weaves a shroud of lust to cloud men's eyes. It is thick and rank. Were he not my brother I would gladly give Helen back to the Greeks in exchange for peace. One Helen is not worth a thousand Andromache's. Paris, you fool. If I am damned to die in battle I will not be alone. We will die together, side by side, over a legion of Greek soldiers with Apollo guiding my far-shadowing spear.
I will need all the help I can summon for the Greeks are fierce and will only grow stronger once Achilles leads them. Achilles, we will meet each other in single combat soon and I will overtake you because I am man-slaying Hector, the strongest of the Trojans. It is my duty and my destiny to kill Achilles. Surely the god's favor me, for how could they be against me.
Helen. Zeus curse all Greeks! I march atop the walls of Troy thru shadow and light, mist and rain, sweaty and fearful all for the desire of one man for one woman! So much death, so much destruction and hatred brought about over a beautiful woman. Aphrodite weaves a shroud of lust to cloud men's eyes. It is thick and rank. Were he not my brother I would gladly give Helen back to the Greeks in exchange for peace. One Helen is not worth a thousand Andromache's. Paris, you fool. If I am damned to die in battle I will not be alone. We will die together, side by side, over a legion of Greek soldiers with Apollo guiding my far-shadowing spear.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Agamemnon is Desperate
Today, I heard that Agamemnon is desperate. Maybe, he has realized that without me, his army is nothing. Agamemnon was ready to give up the war after nine years, but many people at the council tried to talk him out of it. Nestor told him that I was needed to win the battle. He gave Agamemnon advice, telling him to apologize to me. I do not know if I could fight for the Greeks even if I did have an apology. I have Zeus on my side, even though Agamemnon thinks that Zeus was supposed to be on his. If he knows what is best, he will apologize.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Agamemnon has tried to reconcile as he sent three men to talk with me tonight. He knows that he is wrong and is wanting to have me back fighting for the Greeks for I am a great warrior. He has offered me many things, including: cauldrons, horses, Briseis, bronze, gold, and other riches. I have also been promised cities if we defeat Troy.
After I heard all of this, I remembered that my mother told me that fighting in this war would end my life. I do not know if I can take Agamemnon up on his offer….
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Agamemnon has tried to reconcile as he sent three men to talk with me tonight. He knows that he is wrong and is wanting to have me back fighting for the Greeks for I am a great warrior. He has offered me many things, including: cauldrons, horses, Briseis, bronze, gold, and other riches. I have also been promised cities if we defeat Troy.
After I heard all of this, I remembered that my mother told me that fighting in this war would end my life. I do not know if I can take Agamemnon up on his offer….
-Achilles
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