Achilles on Fire

Homer does it again with this brilliant imagery. This time, the imagery of fire is associated with Achilles’ rampage and killing spree. The River god halted Achilles’ destruction by fighting against him, trying to wash him away. Unfortunately, Achilles with the help of Hephaestus subdues the River, making the River promise not to intervene with Achilles’ vengeance. “Tortured by the heat Hephaestus concocted[…] the River itself burned, and pleaded with the god” (p. 413). Looking further into the meanings of fire, my search results come up with synonyms of: intensity, fervor, energy, and blaze. Metaphorically the word fire can take on meanings of destruction, ruin, or devastation. Achilles’ rage is certainly symbolic of those words. On the contrast, water is associated with life, nourishment, or healing. The fight between Achilles and the River illustrates a battle between natural forces of fire and water. This is like a fight between peace and vengeance. The River god wants to create resolution and calmness by extinguishing Achilles’ destruction and killing. Logically, this wouldn’t happen. Fire doesn’t defeat water; it needs oxygen as fuel, which is why water is used to suffocate the flame. It is interesting that Achilles is associated with fire because this foreshadows that Troy will be burned down. Actually there is direct foreshadowing of this in the River’s words to Hera: “I will swear / not to ward off Ilion’s doom / on that day when Troy goes up in flames” (p. 414).