Book 22 Summary
Despite the chaos of the previous days, the battle remains largely unchanged. As such, Hector decides to fight Achilles; grief-stricken by Hector’s willingness to martyr himself, Apollo leaves him to his fate.
Athena then appears in the guise of Deiphobus, one of Hector’s brothers, giving him false hope for a chance against Achilles. The two meet on the battlefield and fight. The fight is long and impressive, but Achilles soon takes the upper hand. Hector pleads for mercy, but Achilles refuses to spare him, finding a weak spot in Hector’s armor and spearing him through the neck.
Priam begs Achilles to return his son’s body to him, but Achilles refuses, attaching Hector’s corpse to his chariot and dragging the body through the dust and back to the Achaean camp. His actions dishonor Hector’s body, and the Trojans look on in horror as the Achaeans repeatedly stab their leader’s lifeless body.
When news reaches Andromache, she faints, heartbroken that her beloved husband has been killed. All the Trojans are overcome with grief, wailing loudly and mourning their fallen leader.
Expert Q&A
In the Iliad, book 22, what does Apollo's statement to Achilles, "You did not harass the Trojans whom you had routed" mean?
In Book 22, Apollo taunts Achilles by reminding him that he is not only battling the Trojans but also the gods, who control the fates of men and cities. Apollo's intervention prevents Achilles from capturing Troy before its destined time to fall. By tricking Achilles into chasing him, Apollo allows the Trojans to escape into the citadel, illustrating the gods' power over mortal endeavors and reinforcing their control over human events.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
