How Does Patroclus Use Of Second Rider

The Use of Second Person in “Patroclus Fights and Dies”

Homer’s The Iliad chronicles Achilles’ life during a small section of the Trojan war. In Book 16, “Patroclus Fights and Dies,” Homer uses the phrase “O my rider” to highlight the path Achilles’ good friend and comrade, Patroclus, takes that leads towards his death. In addition, this, and the use of second person are used to draw readers into the action in the chapter.

The word “rider” can take on several different meanings depending on how it is interpreted. In a literal sense, the word “rider” is synonymous with the word “knight,” or “soldier.” The first time it is used, Patroclus explains to Achilles that he will don his armor and fight with the Achaeans since Achilles refuses to

do so. “With a wrenching groan you answered your friend, Patroclus O my rider,” (16.30-31). Patroclus is protecting his homeland from the Trojans, and Homer is admiring him for this by using language that suggests noble action. On the other hand, this is also used as Patroclus mocks the corpse of the Trojan, Cebriones, whom he had killed. “Cebriones’ life breath left his bones behind and you taunted his corpse, Patroclus O my rider,” (16.867-68). In comparison to the first usage of the phrase, this action would unlikely be interpreted as honorable or noble, as shaming the dead is a recurring theme in the Iliad, and is looked at with shame and dishonor. In this context, the word “rider” seems to be indicating someone who is less than a knight. Additionally, the original Greek word, “ἱππεύς,” meaning, “one who fights from a chariot,” or “cavalry,” which indicates that the word is not necessarily synonymous with a modern understanding of the word “knight,” and doesn’t have the same implications that people associate with it today, such as nobility and honor.
Understanding of the basic definition of the word leads into an explanation as to why Homer used this term in The Iliad, which is that Patroclus was “riding” towards his own death.

Each time the word “rider” is used in the chapter, Patroclus is in some way interacting with, or talking about death. Shortly after Patroclus uses the phrase, “O my rider,” for the first time, Patroclus explains to Achilles that the Achaeans are dying in battle. “Our former champions . . . are all hit by arrows or run through my spears,” (16.26-27). This marks his first interaction with death as mere observation. He looks at the death of the Achaeans through the eyes of a person who is safe from harm. He has not yet experienced it first hand, in this chapter at least.

It is next used after Patroclus’ comrade, Epigeus, is killed by Hector, and Patroclus enacts revenge by killing Trojan allies Sarpedon and Sthenelaus. “. . . straight at the Lycians, Patroclus O my rider, straight at the pressing Trojans ranks you swooped, enraged at your comrade’s death!” (16.682-84). Patroclus has gone from witnessing the death of his allies to taking revenge on the Trojans. In a loose sense, he can be viewed as slowly becoming death itself, both as a cause of death and eventually literally dying by the end of the

chapter.
The third time it is used is immediately after Patroclus kills Cebriones, as mentioned previously. The death of Cebriones is also significant because it parallels Patroclus’ death later in the Iliad. Cebriones was killed by a person of significant power, this being Patroclus dressed in Achilles’ armor. This is later mirrored by Hector and Patroclus, respectively. Patroclus and Hector both taunt or threaten to desecrate the bodies of those who had been killed. In addition, the way that the battle shifts as the Trojans protect the body of Cebriones in order to keep the Greeks away from it is paralleled by how the Greeks later protect Patroclus’ body to keep the Trojans from desecrating it. This is a way of foreshadowing the circumstances of Patroclus’ death.
The fourth time the phrase is used is immediately after a Dardan fighter speared him. “He was the first to launch a spear against you, Patroclus O my rider, but did not bring you down” (16.943-44). At this point, Patroclus is nearing death, with little hope for his survival. The gods, in this case Apollo, are acting against him, and intend to have him killed. This is the beginning of the climax of the chapter, which soon culminates as Hector stabs Patroclus, mortally wounding him. It is after this that Homer uses the final usage of the phrase, before Patroclus tells Hector his last words. “Struggling for breath, you answered, Patroclus O my rider,” (16.985). This concludes Patroclus’ “ride” towards death. As the chapter reaches its end, Patroclus’ life ends as well.

The use of “my” in the phrase, “O my rider,” also implies that Homer views Patroclus as a kind of guide in the chapter. As it has been established that a “rider” in this context is a person who “fights with a chariot,” it may be plausible to say that the author is “riding” with Patroclus in his chariot throughout the chapter. With the knowledge that this story had been previously known to Homer and those reading or listening to his retelling, it could be plausible that Homer viewed himself secondary to the story, and was merely adding an alternate lens to a previously understood epic. Homer could be viewed as narrating Patroclus’ last moments until death directly to him. Perhaps Homer had a fondness for this character in particular. On the other hand, it could be read as build up to the moment Achilles decides to rejoin the war, and the use of second person is to emphasize the importance of Patroclus’ death.
The title of chapter 16 is “Patroclus Fights and Dies.” Readers are explicitly told what happens to Patroclus in this chapter, and the journey that he takes to get there is highlighted by the usage of “O my rider.” Historically, those in Ancient Greece would have been well versed in the story of Achilles that Homer is rewriting. By using second person, and the phrase “O my rider,” readers and listeners would be immediately drawn into the action of the chapter. Second person inherently draws readers into the story, as the personal pronoun “you” addresses the readers directly. This is a significant change of pace in Homer’s writing, from the third person, and his enormous character list leaves little opportunity to address readers. By using this second person pronoun, readers are brought directly into Patroclus’ point of view; they have the opportunity to empathize with Patroclus further. However, Homer uses the second person sparingly, with most of the chapter in third person, and only select passages in second person. It is most often used at the height of action, and like the phrase “O my rider,” in relation to death. Readers are invited to share the journey with Patroclus, and connect with him, even though they know that he is fated to die within a few pages. Therefore, even with prior knowledge of his death, readers still feel its emotional impact.
The usage of “O my rider” and second person in this chapter was important in building up the remainder of the epic. Patroclus’ death is an important moment for Achilles, as it is a turning point in which he decides to rejoin the Achaeans in their fight against the Trojans. Each instance the phrase is used emphasizes Patroclus’ upcoming death, until the eventual moment that Hector kills him. It is a powerful way to end his character’s journey, and bring Achilles back into the battle.