Page 21 - GALIET THE WALL, THE SPEAR, THE ROSE AND THE QUEST FOR THE 4 CARDINAL CORNERS: Hektor of Troy IV

hostility and enmity (p.68-69). Achilles sees his and Hektor’s spirits as different as that of “wolves and lambs” 3⁄4 whose hatred being permanent 3⁄4 incapable of either making or trusting of oaths (22.262-6). In Mueller’s own words, “Hektor can no longer offer a contract (how could he?)” (p.69). This element of cannibalistic rage is what makes Achilles reject Hektor’s supplication and maltreat his corpse. The remaining question is not whether Hektor could have negotiated peace10 but whether Hektor, loyal to the gods in word and deed, deserves his misfortune of being abandoned by them. Perplexingly, after his death, Aphrodite and Apollo protect his corpse from Hektor’s maltreatment and from natural decay. While Aphrodite prevents the dogs from touching Hektor’s body day and night and covers him with immortal oil of roses, Apollo brings a dark cloud to stop the mighty sun from causing natural decay of his flesh (Book 23.185-190). Perhaps Hektor’s unquestionable respect towards the gods is what moves Aphrodite and Apollo to protect Hektor’s corpse. Perhaps it is the sheer realization of the devastation she has indirectly inflicted on both Trojans and Argives for encouraging Helen and Paris’ flight that moves her to either pity or redemption.
10 Paris had the power to negotiate peace all along by returning Helen.
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