Characters
Who is killed at the beginning of Book 17, causing a great battle over his body?
Patroclus
Which god gives Hector extra strength during the fight for Patroclus’s body?
Apollo
Patroclus’s armor represents whose honor?
Achilles’s
Who brings Achilles the news of Patroclus’s death?
Antilochus
What are the Greeks fighting to protect during the battle of Book 17?
The body of Patroclus
Which Greek hero protects Patroclus’s body during most of Book 17?
Menelaus
Which goddess helps protect the body of Patroclus from being taken by the Trojans?
Athena
The Shield of Achilles shows scenes of both peace and war. What does this contrast symbolize?
The full range of human experience
What does Achilles do when he first hears Patroclus has died?
He falls to the ground, weeps, and pours dust over his head
Which two Greek warriors stand side by side defending Patroclus’s body?
Menelaus and Ajax
Which Trojan strips Patroclus of Achilles’ armor?
Hector
Which sea goddess brings new armor to Achilles?
Thetis
When Achilles weeps for Patroclus, what theme is emphasized?
the human cost of war
How does Thetis comfort her son Achilles after Patroclus’s death?
She promises to bring him new armor from Hephaestus
How do the Trojans try to carry Patroclus’s body away?
They try to drag it back toward Troy through the fighting
Who does Menelaus call to help him defend Patroclus’s body?
Ajax
What does Hephaestus create for Achilles in Book 18?
A new set of armor
The gods forging new armor for Achilles symbolizes what about fate in the book?
That Achilles is destined to return to battle — and toward his death
What sound does Achilles make that frightens the Trojans at the end of Book 18?
A terrible war cry
What strategy does Athena use to boost the Greeks’ morale during the battle?
She appears as various warriors and gives them courage
Which minor Trojan hero helps Hector fight over Patroclus’s body but is later killed by Menelaus and Ajax?
Euphorbus
When Thetis goes to ask Hephaestus for new armor for Achilles, how does Hephaestus’s wife, Charis, react when Thetis arrives at their home?
Welcomes her
The shining armor of Achilles instills fear in the Trojans before he even fights. What does this show about heroic identity in the book?
That a hero’s image and reputation are as powerful as his deeds
How do the Trojans react when they see Achilles’ new armor shining over the trench?
They retreat
How does Zeus influence the battle without taking sides directly?
He weighs the fates of the Greeks and Trojans on his golden scales