The Death Of Achilles In Homer's Odyssey

The passage begins with a dialogue as Achilles boasts to Hector how dogs and birds will maul his dead body. The mortally wounded Hector, struggling to speak, begs Achilles for some funereal dignity. He implores Achilles to accept the ransom that his father will offer in exchange for his body. Achilles, full of rage, denies his pleas and tells how the dogs will rend his body and how none can stop this no matter the size of the ransom. Knowing that an attempt to convince Achilles otherwise would be futile, Hector accepts his fate but curses Achilles. After his death, Achilles taunts Hector’s body. He acknowledges his prophesied death and claims that he will welcome it when it comes.
Homer utilizes similes in his writing to focus on the godlike qualities of the two warriors. Their strength and speed are prominent in their battle and Achilles is written as though he is a god, holding Hector’s fate literally in his hands. Although, being described as brilliant and godlike seems to be a stark contrast to Achilles’ actions in the passage.
The book starts during Achilles’ rampage outside of Troy as a result of Patroclus’ death at the hands of Hector. Unknowingly, Achilles is pursuing a disguised Apollo, who has led him astray to allow the Trojans to retreat inside the walls. Apollo chides Achilles for chasing him, indicating that Achilles is wasting his time because Apollo is immortal and never fated to die, an allusion not only to Achilles’ fated demise, but also to Hector’s imminent end. Enraged, Achilles rants that Apollo has distracted him and he dashes toward Hector and toward Troy. The relentless rage in Achilles is one of the key factors moving the plot of this