The Iliad

by Homer

The extraordinary wrath of Achilles entails an insistent, deadly refusal to accept any of the traditional forms of compensation for the various losses he experiences.

When we accept inadequate forms of compensation, knowing that they are not enough and that they are all there is, we can at least share in the universal experience of loss.

The limitless wrath of Achilles can end only once he recognizes that no absolute, permanent victory is ever possible. Everyone must bear unbearable losses, for which no compensation could ever be enough. In the end, we all lose. Our best hope is to accept partial, temporary limits on conflict, accepting human companionship and community as our only, always inadequate compensation, for the pervasive experience of loss.

Privilege entails terrible vulnerability.

Servings at the cosmic banquet are never fair, as even Achilles eventually understands.

If we can remember anything of the past, it is through words and stories: the laments of women, and the tales of poets. Words enable the sharing of grief, when there is no other comfort to be found.

seaside Antron, and Pteleus, the bed of grass, came men led by the warrior Protesilaus, 830 while he had been alive. By then already 700 the black earth held him. Back in Phylace, his wife was left to rip both cheeks in grief, his house was left half built. A Dardan killed him as he was jumping from his ship to shore— the first of all the Greeks. His troops were sorry to lose him, though they did not lack a leader.