4. What are the signs of Achilles’ grief and why does it overcome him?

Achilles is overcome by grief because of his close friendship with Patroclus. His has difficulty overcoming his grief because Patroclus rode out in his armor.... he died because Achilles would not fight.

‘Achilles too staggered a moment…That would assuage his grief, and be so convincing to the witnesses of this barbaric spectacle that he too might believe there was a living man at the centre of it, and that man himself.’

‘He will sleep now…Meanwhile, day after day, he rages, shames himself, calls silently on a spirit that does not answer, and sleeps.’