Metamorphoses · Chapter
Death of Achilles explained
Achilles is slain by Paris with Apollo's guidance, fulfilling a long-nursed vengeance by Neptune.
What happens
Achilles is slain by Paris with Apollo's guidance, fulfilling a long-nursed vengeance by Neptune. His death sparks a dispute between Ajax and Ulysses over his divine armor, which is left to the Greek chiefs to decide.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Revenge
Neptune's long-smothered vengeance for his son's death culminates in Achilles's slaying.
Mortality and Immortality
Achilles, though mortal and reduced to ashes, achieves immortal fame through Homer's verse.
Fate and Prophecy
Achilles's death is fated and timed by divine will, with Apollo executing the predetermined hour.
Characters to notice
- Achilles
Falls victim to Apollo and Paris; his armor becomes the prize of contention.
- Apollo
Guides Paris's arrow to slay Achilles, acting on Neptune's request.
- Ajax
Rises as one of two rivals claiming Achilles's armor.
- Ulysses
The other rival claimant to Achilles's armor.
- Neptune
Grieves his son Cycnus and incites Apollo to bring about Achilles's death.
- Paris
Fires the fatal arrow at Achilles, guided by Apollo.
Key passages
“Thus fell the foremost of the Grecian name, And he, the base adulterer, boasts the fame;”
So died the greatest Greek hero, while Paris, the cowardly seducer, takes the credit.
Highlights the irony of Achilles's noble death versus Paris's ignoble glory.
“Of all the mighty man, the small remains A little urn, and scarcely fill'd, contains.”
The entire body of that great warrior now fits into a tiny urn.
Emphasizes the contrast between Achilles's legendary might and the meager physical remains.
“Yet great in Homer, still Achilles lives, And equal to himself, himself survives.”
Achilles lives on through Homer's epic, as great as he ever was.
Affirms the power of poetry to grant immortality to heroes.