Destiny or Decision

             dearly. You must turn back once you bring the light of salvation .
             to the ships, and let the others go on fighting in the flat land (XVI 91-96). .
             Achilles knows that Patroklos will surely die if he pursues the Trojans any farther, but Patroklos does not heed Achilles" commands. He wears Achilles" armor into battle primarily for self-glorification. After being in battle, Patroklos becomes overzealous and puts himself at the enemy's disposal. He also allows the fury from the slaying of his friend Epeigeus to decide his next actions. Instead of returning to the ships, .
             Patroklos, with a shout to Automedon and his horses, .
             went after Trojans and Lykians in a huge blind fury. Besotted: had he only kept the command of Peleiades .
             he might have got clear away from the evil spirit of black death (XVI 684-687).
             This passage shows how his critical mistake leads to his death. His desire for revenge on the Trojans for defeating many of the Achaians is so overwhelming that he does not stop to realize the consequences of his actions. Nothing makes the decision to press on for Patroklos except his pride. His desire for honor and respect decide every action taken by him on the battlefield. Patroklos could have returned to the ships after wearing the armor into battle as commanded to by Achilles and saved his life, yet his haughty ways bring him to be slain by Hektor. Therefore, Patroklos is the only person responsible for his narrow-minded decision that leads to his untimely downfall.
             Patroklos is to blame for his own death because of the inferiority of his battle skills compared to those of Achilles. Apollo tells Patroklos:.
             Give way, illustrious Patroklos: it is not destined .
             that the city of the proud Trojans shall fall before your spear nor even at the hand of Achilleus, who is far better than you are (XVI 707-709).
             This passage implies the superiority of Achilles to Patroklos. If Achilles cannot sack the city of Troy, how can Patroklos be expected to be able to? His mind is so clouded with the idea of making a name for himself that he sets his mind to accomplish a feat that not even Achilles can complete.