Another busy day getting ready for the family on the 4th. But I finally managed to find some time at the end of the day to squeeze in some reading. Here you go.
Good chapter. Right from the get go Achilles hears the bad news. And he is extremely unstable. I can't begin to express just how screwed Hektor is. He needs to listen to his friend about retreating behind the walls of the city. But you know men and their pride. "Good grief," as the Great Charlie Brown would say.
In a bit of good news, Patroklos' body is finally recovered. But apparently Achilles won't actually have the funeral until he kills Hektor. Needless to say, I believe the funeral will be happening without any delay. With the exception of the necessary delay for Thetis to get some new armor to her son. Because, if I didn't say in the last post, Hektor successfully took Achilles' armor from Patroklos. Big mistake. But at least he'll die in style when Achilles finds him.
Not much left besides Thetis' trip to Hephaistos. He puts together some pretty good armor. Just the etching on the shield took up about 2-3 pages of descriptions. This is like a shield Leonardo da Vinci might have painted. Hephaistos knows his craft.
Hephaistos is part of the inspiration for the title of this chapter. Already the Trojans are deeply afraid of Achilles. Then, earlier, Athena had Achilles stand where the Trojans could see him. And now in their heads fear is forming and taking shape. Much like Hephaistos is shaping the armor for Achilles, who's future armor will be a symbol of fear for all Trojans. It's a two part meaning. But I digress.
Now we're just waiting for Dawn to scatter herself over the battlefield once again. Thus, bringing sure destruction on anyone who has the stupidity to stand up to Achilles. Can't wait. See you then. Bye.
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