Chapter Fifteen

Summary

• The chapter begins in a room with four chairs and tapestries, where Odysseus accuses Achilles of hiding himself, forcing them to be clever in finding him.
• Odysseus and Diomedes try to persuade Achilles to join them in their war at Troy. They claim that he will win great fame if he chooses to fight on their side.
• To push Achilles further, Odysseus threatens to make it public that Achilles has dressed as a woman – an act generally held in contempt by their society. However, he promptly reassures that he hopes it would not have to come to such measures.
• Achilles is torn between his probable obscurity if he refuses to join the war and his prophecy, which Odysseus claims to have knowledge of, that his god-given strength would wither away if he steps back.
• In a sudden turn of events, the room’s doors blow open, and Achilles’ mother, Thetis, enters in fury. She confronts Odysseus but leaves immediately after warning Achilles that if he goes to Troy, he will never come back, and instead will die a young man there.
• Achilles, though heavily troubled with the idea of facing death at Troy, ultimately decides to favor the prophecy over his fear of dying and says that he would go to Troy.
• Before they leave for Troy, Achilles conveys his mother’s desire to take Deidamia’s unborn child under her own care, which leaves King Lycomedes heartbroken and aching for his daughter.
• On their ship to Troy, they have a conversation about Prince of Ithaca, Agamemnon and other kings, Achilles’ curiosity about Hector, their potential enemies, and a mention of the house of Atreus and Tantalus’ eternal punishment.

• The chapter revolves around a discussion between Achilles and Odysseus. They discuss the king of Mycenae, Agamemnon, and the family history that has cursed his lineage with violence and disaster.
• Odysseus praises Agamemnon's leadership and how Mycenae has prospered under his rule. He also emphasizes the importance of unity among the generals, including himself and Achilles.
• Achilles, however, asserts his independence and makes it clear he will listen to Agamemnon but not obey his orders.
• The conversation shifts to the upcoming meeting with other soldiers. Both Achilles and his companion express distrust, but agree that they will have to wait and see what these men are like.
• The evening brings a respite from their discussion. As a storm brews outside, Achilles and his companion share an intimate moment together, with Achilles complimenting his lover's features.
• The chapter ends on a poignant note as Achilles' companion ruminates on the inevitability of their parting and contemplates suicide over losing Achilles.