The Scars of Nobility Will Never be Forgotten.

Shoot Now, Ask Later - Military Proverb

This proverb can actually be implied during the fierce battles in Homer's epic. The Illiad.This Proverb is widely used in the Military as of today, and this Proverb can be used as a basis on how Patroclus acts as a Warrior in Battle. Or a Friend of Achilles. This Proverb means that when given orders, by a superior officer, the one being given orders must do it without question whatsoever. This can be reflected to Achilles and Patrolcus, where Patrolcus *Although older* takes orders from Achilles without question.

Patroclus, son of Menoetius and loving Comrade and Brother-in-arms of Achilles. during his youth he accidentally killed his friend Clysonymus, and his father Menoethius fearing revenge, hid and exiled himself and his son Patroclus. They eventually took shelter to the palace of King Priam, father of Achilles, where Patroclus met and befriended the warrior Achilles.

*Brief Recap*

The Battles waged upon the soils of Troy weigh heavily upon the two sides. Zeus the God of all Gods, prohibited that the other Gods, namely Athena, and Hera. To not intervene further with the Trojan war, and let the Trojans and the Acheians fight their war themselves. Agamemnon begins to become desperate as their armies are driven back to their ships after the last battle, due to Zeus scaring the Acheians with thunderbolts making them flee back to their ships. At camp Agamemnon makes plans to make an embassy to Achilles who is camping near the Acheians, to convince him to join the battle and hopefully turn the tide of the battle. Agamemnon chooses Odysseus and Diomedes to be the one to represent him, they offer Achilles, treasures of immense proportions and Brises back who swore she never slept with Agamemnon. Achilles takes the treasures and asks what the casualty is then calls Agamemnon as a man blessed with Power but a fool, for creating a conflict over a single woman. Then Odysseus and Diomedes leave the camp empty handed and tells Agamemnon that Achilles will not join the cause. During the night Oddyseus and Diomedes, raid an unsuspecting trojan camp where they murder 12 trojans. During the Day, the battle has weighed heavily, whereas Diomedes, Agamemnon and Odysseus are all injured, and Patrolcus is sent by Achilles to see what the casualty has been.

*Answering the Question.*

Patrolcus, is a noble and loyal brother-in-arms there is no doubt of that. To cite, When Achilles asks for Patrolcus to scout out the area, and check the casualties. Patrolcus, knowing the risks of going in the middle of an ongoing battle, does this without question. Doing such a thing could kill Patrolcus, but he still did it without hesitation, showing his values when it comes to recognizing Achilles as his superior. (Achilles being the leader of the Myrmidrons after all.)

Patrolcus, is a loyal soldier and Brother-in-arms of Achilles, he is also a very patriotic warrior. As seen in Book 16 of The Illiad he can no longer stand seeing the Greeks being slaughtered by the Trojans, and thus he asks Achilles for his armor, so that he himself would lead the Myrmidrons to battle. However, upon doing so leads to Patrolcus' death. Was he a fool? or a Warrior noteworthy of Nobility?

In my opinion Patrolcus was a warrior worthy of a heroes funeral like every soldier that died in that war. Because he charged blindly into battle because of his love to his country and his loyalty to Achilles. It was not selfish of him to do that, for some it may sound foolish that he disobeyed Achilles orders not to. Nevertheless, he died fighting for his country and in what he believes in, and in what I can say. What he did that day, and the past days, was more than enough honor he can bring to himself and his own country and people  

I too shall lie in the dust when I am dead, but now let me win noble renown.
Homer

Broken is the Soul of the Innocence of a Warrior.

War... a 3 letter word that leaves death and destruction in it's wake. It does not only destroy lives, But it also destroy's a man's character. Turning both the warrior and the victim into mindless killing machines. Known only to destroy the lives of those that it wishes to destroy, and kill those who wish they kill. Weapons change, people get replaced, but the effect of war never changes.

World War 2, known as one of the most bloodiest conflicts. (Or is actually the Most Bloodiest conflict in Human History, resulting in the deaths of a billion people)

This 5 year conflict not only destroyed millions of lives, but it also strucked fear into those lucky enough to survive the war. The war made the surviving victims fearful, due to the traumatizing events of the deaths of their friends and family.

This bloody conflict made even those peace loving people,were forced into becoming barbaric war mongrels. Why? Because if they were not to fight, they would fall victim to the ongoing and it would most likely cause them their untimely death...

From the middle ages, to the present age. War never changes, from it's effect to the masses, to its effects to the individual people. Broken is the Soul of the Innocence of a warrior.

*Brief Recap*

In the last book, it is shown that not only is the Trojans and Greeks fighting, but also the Gods on Olympus. The Gods Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Demeter, and Ares favor the Trojans while Athena, Hera and Hades favor the Greeks. The Duel between Paris and Menaleus causes a full scale battle between the Greeks and the Trojans. The Battle weighs heavily for both the armies, resulting in the injury of Menaleus by Pandaros' arrow. Which it does not kill the King of Sparta, but only angers Diomedes and it causes him to kill a large number of Trojans, including the children of the well known citizens of Troy. Soon, Diomedes defeats Aeaneas but Aphrodite intervenes, but Diomedes throws a spear to Aphrodite and wounds the Goddess, then Apollo faces Diomedes warning him about fighting against the Gods.

Then both Heroes and Gods, supporting each side joins battle, which ends in Diomedes wounding Ares.

Hector returns to Troy asking for prayers and sacrifices, Hector bids his wife Andromache and Astyanax farewell and returns to battle.

*Answering The Question*

War, just like what I said not only destroy's man's life, but also the latter's character. Straining his values, and destroying in the things of what he believes in just in order to survive the war.

The Greeks are well known for their courage, their integrity, but above all else their values. The Greeks value their Gods above everything else, giving sacrifices and even trying hard to become like them. The Greeks respects the Gods. But what I say contradicts on what happened in the war of Troy, as perteined and said there that even the Greeks themselves fought the Gods. It can be seen when Diomedes throws a spear to Aphrodite injuring her,and going against what the Greeks believe in, just because of the fact that it would help them survive the ongoing battle.

Another thing is that, in the book, it can be implied that slowly Hector son of Priam is becoming more barbaric, more bloodlust, as each day passes since the beginning of the war. Why as you may ask? It is shown in the book, that Hector has become overconfident that in fact he leads himself and his own troops to danger when he charges out in the field head on against Diomedes. Lastly, the Gods themselves are being affected by the Conflict. Because they fight over each other, taking sides. Manipulating the minds of the Trojans and the Greeks, even Zeus orders her wife Hera and his daughter Athena by not interfering with the war further. However the latter two tricked Zeus and still interfered with the war, infuriating Zeus. War consumes people, changing them dramitically, what Diomedes did was against the Greek practices and religions. Fighting a God is against it, why? Because the Greeks respect and honor the Gods, and that is something that Diomedes did not honor.

It is only the dead who have seen the end of war. - Plato.

Paris and Menaleus, Trojan and Greek, Fools or Not?

Paris, Son of Prias, is described in the Illiad as an unskilled and cowardly warrior. This is mentioned in Book 3 of The Illiad, that when Paris sees Menaleus, Paris sinks back into the line. Hector which is (Paris' battle hardened brother) criticizes him for being a womanizer, and stealing Helen from Agamemnon in the first place.

*A Brief Introduction of the Beginning of the Trojan War*

The Trojan War was started, when Zeus sends a dream to Agamemnon instructing him to attack Troy in full force, In this dream Agamemnon is led to believed that he has the full support of the Gods. Agamemnon inspires his troops, saying that they greatly outnumber the Trojans.

*The Duel of the Fool and the Noble*

At Dawn, the two armies arise and march toward the marshland where in the lines of Homer describes

"wild fowl or cranes and the dust is like "mist on the mountaintops" Book 3, line 10

Finally, Paris says that Hector's criticism to him are fair and just, and requests a duel with Menaleus

Hector announces, a duel between Menaleus and Paris. Menaleus accepts the challenge, but requires priam's oath. Then, Priam leaves the wall of the city to meet Odysseus. Agamemnon swears that if Menaleus loses the Greeks will sail home, but if Paris loses, the Trojans must return Helen and give up all her treasures.

After the oaths have been taken, Priam goes back to the city as he does not wish to watch the duel.

Then Hector and Odyssues then throw lots to see who throws the first spear, the Greek armies pray to Zeus hoping, he would favor Greece. However it turns out to be that Paris gets to throw the spear. He throws but fails to injure Menaleus, Menaleus then in return throws a spear at Paris, but fails to hit him. Paris retaliates by slashing Menaleus' mail but this fails to injure him. Then Menaleus, draws his sword but it shatters under Paris' helmet. Angered, Menaleus grabs Paris by crest and begins to drag him away. Suddenly Aphrodite comes to Paris' rescue and returns him to the walls of Troy.

"Answering the Question"

When it comes to answering the Question who is the Fool or the Noble in the case of Menaleus and Paris according to me, it is very obvious if not implied that Paris is the Fool, and Menaleus is the more Noble.

But for those who wish to contradict my statement, I do not blame you, as it is a human nature.

But, you may ask why? Of all the people that is can be named a Noble, why choose the barbaric war mongrel king of Sparta, when you can pick the gorgeous and well mannered Paris?

Well, in terms of Nobility and Fools, looks don't matter, it is what the people do in their lives, that they base their Nobility upon.

Anyway, Paris under my opinion is the fool (as stated again) why? Because he did not honor the agreement of the Trojans and Greeks. The agreement was, that the two duel in a fair manner. However, just about as Menaleus was about to strike a fatal blow, Aphrodite saves Paris, in which it is labeled as unjust and treachery as the Trojans did not Honor their end of the bargain, resulting in the deaths of many lives in the two armies. Paris is also a fool for starting the Trojan War, and putting his country at risk just because of some woman, (which is also the cause of the war itself) putting his interests first before the interests of his country and people.

Menaleus, the king of Sparta, is more noble for serving his country and fighting for Greece which is something that Paris has failed to do. He is also more noble, because he loved his wife Helen. Which is something that the latter failed to do. Menaleus also swore to Priam's oath meaning he respects and answers to the conditions of the winner after the said duel is done.

Given this and all of the other incidence, cited in the Illiad I can pretty much say that Meneleus honored his words, which is something that Paris failed to do. Meaning that the fool in the story is none other than, Paris for letting his personal wants first before his very country and homeland. And there is nothing more foolish or dishonorable than what the latter has done.....

Cyanide and Happiness Comic of the Day