Chapter Twenty-Two
Summary
- The men are anxious for the fight they were promised by Agamemnon against the Trojans. Odysseus suggests that Troy is nearing its capacity with refugees and will soon be forced to fight.
- The next day, a flag of parley is flown above Troy and they receive word that King Priam is willing to meet with an embassy.
- Odysseus and Menelaus are sent to Troy for the meeting. It is noted that Menelaus is unarmed, potentially due to a lack of trust in himself around Helen, his wife.
- Achilles and the narrator, Patroclus, speculate on why Helen chose Menelaus and why she left him for Paris, ultimately suggesting that perhaps she was hoping to start a war.
- Odysseus and Menelaus return from the council with King Priam where they were informed that Helen does not wish to return to Menelaus and is under the protection of the Trojans.
- Agamemnon declares war on Troy. Patroclus is afraid as he realises that he is expected to fight since he is Achilles' companion.
- Two armies fight one another repeatedly, but neither can gain the upper hand. The war drags on for months with a rhythm emerging where battles are fought seven out of ten days, allowing time for festivals and funerals.
- Achilles is praised for his fighting abilities, but he is protective of Patroclus, watching over him and killing anyone who poses a threat.
- Patroclus talks about his experiences fighting, noting his discomfort with the armor and the terror he felt. He also describes his observations of other fighters, such as Agamemnon, Diomedes, Odysseus, Paris, and Hector.
- Achilles avoids confrontation with Hector, Troy's prince, when asked by Agamemnon, stating that Hector had done nothing to him.