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.