First & Last Name
Professor Martin
Engl. 2332
18 June 2008
Hector’s Fate: Predestined or Paradoxical? 
	The epic Iliad recounts the encounters between two magnificent warriors of ancient times, Achilles and Hector.  In Book XXII, we witness a scene between Achilles and Hector, both heroes and legendary warriors renowned among their own people.  It is apparent that death is imminent for one of them.  Anticipation fills the pages of the climactic finish between the two great warriors as our eyes finally pass over the words “Death cut him short” (Homer XXII.425).  As the preceding events unfolded, we were able to observe the many interactions between the gods that led up to this dramatic finale.  The reader is impelled to question: Did the gods on Mount Olympus preordain this finality?  Or did each god’s sovereignty and deliberate actions position one mortal man to prevail over the other in this epic poem?
Just prior to his death, Hector reasons that his imminent death is the will of the gods.  He states “this was their pleasure after all, sealed long ago.” (Homer XXII.356)  As we venture back into the beginnings of the story and examine the thoughts, words, and actions of the gods we find evidence that supports a much different conclusion – that the closing stages of Hector’s life were the result of actions from the self-absorbed god Thetis and the gods so desirous of pleasing her, Zeus and Hephaestus.
In Book I, we discover a scene that depicts Thetis grieving over the short life that Achilles has to live, and she is remorseful about having even brought him to life.  She laments about his heartbreak and torment.  She recognizes that she cannot provide her son with immortal life, and she yearns to accommodate one of his wishes.
It is Achilles’ aspiration to be heralded among the Achaeans.  To secure his aspirations for greatness, he requests that the Trojan army’s cause be supported by the gods; namely, Zeus.  Defeats suffered by the Achaean forces will ensure all are aware that King Agamemnon made a grim mistake by disgracing Achilles; and confirm Achilles is their only real source of hope  (Homer I.488-490).  Achilles mother, Thetis, agrees to venture to Mount Olympus with the purpose of persuading Zeus in favor of Achilles (Homer I.500-501).
Thetis quickly travels to Mount Olympus and we observe the interaction between her and Zeus.  Thetis begs and pleads with Zeus to endow the Trojans with victories in the hopes and desires that Achilles will receive the “honor he deserves” (Homer I.607).  Zeus is reluctant to give into the request of Thetis, indicating that it would cause contempt between him and Hera.  He is clearly struggling with the request.  Conceding to the pleadings of a god with motivations to glorify her mortal son, making him almost godlike, will result in consequences for himself in the form of contempt from his wife, Hera. Such actions do not signify a god with deliberate purpose in his actions but rather, a god doubtful of his decisions.
Thetis is confident in her ability to persuade Zeus.  Had it been fate that Zeus prepared for Achilles or Hector, it is unlikely she would have ventured out of the sea to Mount Olympus to make such an exorbitant request.  Rather, Thetis knew she could alter the events of the mortals, including who lived, who died and who was glorified.
Zeus opts to suppress from his mind the upcoming disagreements that will result with Hera and grants Thetis her wish; his agreement signified with the bow of his head.  Although not devastating, the Achaeans suffer defeat at the hands of the Trojans.  Despite the disgruntlement of his wife, Hera, Zeus has made the decision to bless the Trojan army with victories.
Eventually, the Achaean warriors are pushed back to their ships.  King Agamemnon begins to blame Zeus, claiming that he is a harsh and cruel god.  Interestingly, he continues to pronounce that Zeus purposed for Agamemnon to lose battles and maintains that Zeus acted and “plotted brutal treachery” for Agamemnon (Homer IX.24).  Unknown to Agamemnon, it was Thetis that plotted brutal deceit toward Agamemnon, and such action was not purposed or designed by Zeus at all.  The humiliating defeats are not a result of godly acts to fulfill fate, but are the result of a scheming god’s efforts to provide her beloved son Achilles with the honor he so desired.
Further evidence of Zeus conducting himself as more mortal than omniscient is during the fatal scene between Hector and Patroclus.  Zeus scrutinizes the events between the two unfolding beneath him with unparalleled attention and interest.  He begins to reason on the situation and questions what the best decision would be in this circumstance.  Zeus weighs the numerous options before deciding on the best course to end the life of Patroclus  (Homer XVI.261).  Such reasoning and reflection are not indicative of the swift and decisive action that we would expect of a god; rather, it is one expected from a mortal man carefully evaluating his options and consequences before making a lofty decision.
After being informed about the death of Patroclus, Achilles does not mourn the loss of his friend as much as the fact that the gods had not predestined him to defend his dear friend.  These expressions appear not only selfish, but also paradoxical as he laments about one of the many battles that he asked Zeus to bless for the Trojans, not for his fellow Achaeans.  Achilles fails to acknowledge his accountability in the situation.  He again focuses on the possibility that a victory to save his friend would have been marveled at by many.
After the death of Patroclus, Achilles makes the decision to re-enter the war and battle with the Trojans.  Before he enters battle, Thetis rushes to his aid to provide him with armor and a shield unmatched in beauty and brilliance.  She approaches the god of fire, Hephaestus, to forge the shield and the armor.
Thetis makes known her petitions to Hephaestus and the desires she has for the mortal son that she bore.  Her anguish results in her lamenting to Hephaestus about her situation, what a deplorable condition it was to be selected to betroth a mortal man and bear his child!  She implores him to grant her this one wish that he is all to earnest to grant.  An apparent old and crippled god gives way to strength and valor in completing the construction and artistry of Achilles’ shield.  The shield is ridden with brilliance and glory, a fitting symbol for war and for Achilles himself.
It is the interaction between the gods as Hector flees from Achilles that confirms fate was not predestined for either of them at all.  As Zeus peers down and watches Achilles pursue Hector, he invites the gods to think through the situation and make a decision.  He provides the opportunity for the gods to “pluck the man from death and save his life”  (Homer XXII.206-209).  It is Athena that objects to such an option, warning Zeus that the gods would no longer praise him if he were to make such a decision.  Zeus quickly recants, stating nothing he said was meant in earnest.  And the battle pursues, with Achilles emerging as the victor and Zeus ensuring his position as one of the great gods is not challenged or compromised.
It is quite evident that the lives and interactions of the great warriors Achilles and Hector are not predestined but instead were the result of deliberate action on the part of the gods and on the part of the mortals.  Free will, self-preservation, and selfish desires determined the paradoxical “fate” of Hector.