Currently thinking about the mirrors of Odysseus and Polites in EPIC with Achilles and Patroclus in SoA,,,
Do you think Odysseus ever judged Achilles for being so protective of the kind-hearted Patroclus? Do you think he mourned Patroclus but found his sacrificial death to be foolish, even if it did end up working? Do you think he finally realized why Achilles raged the moment that he, himself, shouted his own name in anger towards the cyclops? Or was it when Athena dismissed his grief the way that so many did Achilles? Do you think that, after so long of everyone asking why Achilles refused to kill Hector, Odysseus finally understood when he, himself, tried so hard to maintain the trust and openness that Polites wanted him to experience, only to be forced another path?
Do you think that Achilles saw him in the Underworld, knowing that Odysseus could continue like this no longer? Do you think Achilles saw the way that Odysseus cried for Polites’ soul, for his mother’s soul, and told him that the glory had never been worth it? Do you think that Odysseus agreed? Do you think that the shift everyone saw in Odysseus was one that Achilles knew was coming all along? Do you think Achilles hoped for Odysseus to return to his wife because he knows all too well what the loss of a love can do to you and Odysseus had already lost so much love? Do you think that he watched as Odysseus’ wrath brought him home? Do you think that Achilles wished the same for himself?
Sing, dear Muse, the rage of Achilles and what became of it for the man of many travels. Tell me not how they differ, for everyone knows the tragedy of Achilles and the return of Odysseus. Tell me only how they weep the same tears.