Notion in Motion: December 2009

“A good BEGINNING makes a good end.”

It has already been nine bloody years since the very start of the massive war between the fierce Achaeans and the aggressive Trojans. The Achaean army was able to defeat an allied-city of the Trojan fleet. With that, they were able to capture two lovely ladies, making them prizes for two of the greatest warriors of their troops. King Agamemnon chose Chryseis, as the respectable Achilles had Briseis. Unfortunately, Chryseis’ father, Chryses is the priest of god Apollo. He prayed to the god to help him get his daughter back. With Apollo’s outbreak on the Achaeans for ten days causing a great loss for them, they then withdrew Chryseis.

Several months passed after the incident happened. Everything is back to normal, with a happy relationship between Briseis and Achilles, except for King Agamemnon who still cannot move on and keeps on getting envious on Achilles who was able to keep his prize. With that, the king initiated a meeting with all of his people. “Great People of Greece, I thank you all for responding to this urgent call of mine.” Agememnon shouted. “It has already been months since the 10 days of nonstop massacre brought by god Apollo concluded. But I still cannot forget how I lost my beautiful prize. It hurts me every time I see the flashbacks circulating around my head. It was such a disgrace, like a great infamy that was showered upon me on one big blow. As we all know, Chryseis was my prize, and losing her caused me a great downfall.” He continues, “Now, I’ll get to my point, since it was I together with Achilles who got the women as our prizes on our last battle, I will be using my authority over you to take Briseis from Achilles. As your king, I think I have a greater right from any of you. With that, I should have Achilles’ prize as an exchange to my former one.”

Everyone was shocked. A second of silence passed until the murmurs within the discussion started. Achilles was sitting on the front row, beside his partner, Briseis. He couldn’t speak. His cousin, Patroclos was tapping his back for support. Tears flooded the eyes of the gorgeous Briseis. She looked onto Achilles deeply, very deeply. She does not know what to do, until her hands were grasped by two big warriors. She was crying as she left her love. As Agamemnon was cheering, Achilles and his colleagues were poignant.

“Stop this nonsense! This is crazy.” Achilles shouted as he walks towards Agamemnon. He then clutches him by his armor. “Who do you think you are? Are you not a real man? Are you not a real warrior? Are you not an Achaean warrior?”

“I do deserve this,” Agamemnon said, “and you have no right to talk and question your king like that!”

Surprisingly, Briseis was able to get hold of one of the warrior’s sword. Desperately, she stabbed herself. She was caught by Achilles as she falls.

“I’ll live in you forever. Don’t forget that.” She said slowly, “I’m always there,” pointing at Achilles’ heart. “Never stop living. I’m always here for you, you know that. I’ll always keep you safe on you future fights. I’ll be praying for you in heaven. It will still be a long time until we see each other face to face again but I am never leaving you.”

Achilles holds her firmly, embracing her until she catches her last breath. He shouted and cried without removing his tight arms around her.

For weeks, he was not able to fight; he was not able to be on his own. The Achaean fleet has been in danger on those times. They really need Achilles’ prowess in fighting. Until one day, Patroclos was able to convince his cousin to join the wars again. He reminded Achilles of what Briseis told him, that she will be with him always, and keep him safe on his future fights, that she will not leave him. This gave the energy back to Achilles in the battle. He was able to regain his former strength, by thinking of that Briseis is present.

This is my revised beginning of the Iliad. Instead of Achilles being stagnant on his tent, this alteration of the written story will be able to change the flow of happenings. It will be able to prevent unexpected events such as Patroclos’ death, or the continuous loss of the Achaeans in the battle.

A good beginning really creates a great ending. I hope that with this version of the start, the story of the epic novel will meet its expected improvements.

The Ghost in the Battlefield

As the intensifying war between the Greeks and the Trojans continues, and as the Trojans take the advantage on the fight back, the Achaeans really need the presence of the great Achilles. They need his valor; they need his audacity; they need him.

But the great Achilles still refused to join the battles, not because of his hard feelings for Agamemnon, but because he wants to stick to his vow not to help the Achaean army in fighting the Trojans. He knows that the Greeks need him already. Many callings are already sent to him for help, even from his cousin and best companion, Patroclos. He is unmovable. However, with one request he agreed –that is to let Patroclos fight and wear his armor in the battle to strike and scare the Trojan troops of Achilles’ presence. He agreed at a condition that Patroclos fights only for the sake of saving the Greek ships and nothing more.

This story goes to show Achilles’ effort and concern for his team, his troop, his family, his Greek Army. Though he does not join the fight between the two warring cities, he reaches out his help by letting his spirit go through the battle through his armor. Through this decision, the Trojan will lose hope in winning, or be scared in fighting for they will think that the greatest warrior is already in the battlefield. He knows that his people believe in him and that they need him; but he cannot do anything more than letting others wear his armor.

Achilles is also a man with a carefully decided plot. He wants his plan to be safe for his people. He had a deal with Patroclos that he is just able to fight in the battle to defend the ships. He is worried about his cousin’s fate. He doesn’t want to lose Patroclos in the war.

Achilles is really a concerned man and a trust worthy warrior. He still sends help, though not fully shown in his motive. It is one example of a good leadership that he has shown – being there to help his people though it is hard to be in his position. It was like he is in between two hitting stones – one is his concern and help for his people, and the other is his vow and promise not to interfere with the war. It was a great decision he made to deal with his contrasting problems. Though, it could have been better if Achilles lowered his pride and helped personally. With this, Patroclos could have not died.

In a more modern setting, many leaders have been as sacrificial and as wise as Achilles. Leaders of a small number to the biggest of locations have been like Achilles – not appreciated at times, but do the best for the welfare of the people surrounding them. Some leaders are President Gloria Arroyo who has been continuing her role in the country even though many controversies and issues are following her; and the late Ninoy Aquino who courageously fought the intolerable government and offered his life for the Filipino people.

photo credits: deviantart.com

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