ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK. by Homer: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This is the argument (a short prose summary) for Book 22 of Homer's *Iliad*, which details a crucial moment in the epic: Achilles confronts and kills Hector outside the walls of Troy.
The poem
Achilles slays Hector.
This is the argument (a short prose summary) for Book 22 of Homer's *Iliad*, which details a crucial moment in the epic: Achilles confronts and kills Hector outside the walls of Troy. This scene serves as the climax of the poem — marking the death of Troy's greatest hero and the culmination of Achilles' quest for revenge fueled by rage. In just five words, Homer's ancient summarizer encapsulates a confrontation that has been developing for thousands of lines.
Line-by-line
Achilles slays Hector.
Tone & mood
Stark and straightforward. The argument removes all emotion and presents the fact like a verdict. This bluntness actually makes it more impactful — there’s no poetry to shield it, just the undeniable truth of what occurs in the book.
Symbols & metaphors
- Achilles — Achilles embodies the destructive force of unrestrained anger and sorrow. His chase after Hector isn't solely about winning the war; it's driven by his desire to avenge his friend Patroclus. While he acts as an agent of fate, he is also a man overwhelmed by grief.
- Hector — Hector embodies duty, civilization, and the human toll of war. He fights not for glory but to safeguard his family and city. His death serves as a reminder that no amount of virtue or courage can defy fate.
- The slaying — The act of killing here isn't a victory — it's a tragedy for everyone involved. It completes the epic's main story while deepening the wound of grief, especially since Achilles is destined to die shortly after.
Historical context
Homer's *Iliad* is among the earliest pieces of Western literature, written in ancient Greece around the 8th century BCE, although its oral traditions likely go back even further. The poem takes place over a few weeks toward the end of the ten-year Trojan War, highlighting the anger of the Greek hero Achilles. Book 22 serves as the emotional and dramatic climax of the epic. Hector has killed Achilles' dear friend Patroclus, prompting Achilles—who had previously withdrawn from battle in rage—to return specifically to seek revenge on Hector. The "argument" was a common feature in early editions of classical epics, providing readers with straightforward summaries of each book's events. These summaries were usually added by later editors rather than Homer himself, yet they accompanied the text for centuries.
FAQ
In classical and Renaissance literature, an 'argument' is a short prose summary found at the beginning of a chapter or book. It outlines the events that occur before you dive into the complete poetic version. You can think of it as an early spoiler alert that people viewed as useful rather than impolite.
Book 22 depicts Hector's death, the climax of the entire poem. Achilles' fury, introduced in Book 1, finally has a focus here. Everything leading up to this point serves as setup, while everything that follows is the aftermath.
Not completely. The goddess Athena tricks Hector during the battle by taking on the appearance of his brother Deiphobus and offering her assistance. However, she disappears when Hector needs her the most. Just before his death, Hector understands that the gods have deceived him.
Achilles dishonors Hector's body by dragging it behind his chariot around the walls of Troy, where Hector's parents and wife can see it. He won't allow it to be buried, which is a grave breach of Greek honor codes. Eventually, in Book 24, the gods step in to ensure that the body is returned.
Patroclus was Achilles' closest companion, and many readers, both ancient and modern, view their bond as the deepest love relationship in the poem. Hector killed Patroclus in Book 16 while he wore Achilles' armor. This death directly led to Achilles rejoining the war and seeking revenge on Hector.
That’s one of the oldest debates in literary history. Most scholars today believe that 'Homer' actually refers to a tradition of oral poets instead of a single person, and that the *Iliad* and *Odyssey* were developed over generations before being recorded. The name Homer is simply a convention linked to the poems.
The main themes are mortality, war, anger, and sorrow. Hector's death compels every character — and the reader — to face the reality that even the best among us die, that war obliterates what we hold dear, and that seeking revenge doesn't truly mend our grief.
No. The poem clearly shows that killing Hector doesn't give Achilles any peace. He still mourns Patroclus, and he senses that his own death is approaching. The victory feels empty, which is part of what makes the *Iliad* resonate so much today, even after three thousand years.