The Death of Achilles in the Iliad

Abstract

Abstract Based on an approach derived from neoanalysis, oral poetry theory, and intertextuality, this paper argues that the death of Achilles is of particular importance for the Iliad. Numerous structural and thematic similarities reflect and foreshadow elements of the traditional story of the death of Achilles which is thereby incorporated into the Iliad symbolically through two intertwined sets of correspondences. These motif transferences and symbolic correspondences serve to explain several peculiar details of the Homeric narrative and contribute to our interpretation of the poem in the context of the Homeric concept of heroism and to our appreciation of the Iliad’s poetic technique. Through the constant foreshadowing of his death, Achilles achieves the highest glory a Homeric warrior can hope for, dying in battle and earning immortal fame without actually dying, but vanquishing all his enemies. This is part of the Iliad’s strategy to encompass the whole of the Trojan War through analepses as well as prolepses and by making Achilles’ triumph over Hector prefigure the fall of Troy.