Makeover... In epic proportions

There are at least two scenarios I would like to change and replace with my own story if ever I were given the chance.

Firstly:

Go home and live a life, change one’s destiny

“How Patroclos took the field in the armour of Achilles, his great feats of war, and his death”

The situation wherein Patroclos secretly used and donned Achilles’ armor and helmet, whereas he went  to the battle, killed many enemies and boosted the morale of Agamemnon’s battle-weary soldiers. But due to this he was later killed by Hector on the notion that he was really the real Achilles. On the night prior to this, Achilles planned to sail back and ordered his men to prepare the ship for a journey going back home. Nothing and no one can really change this. He was truly convinced that this Trojan campaign was not his but just Agamemnon’s greediness and lust for power. When Patroclos was killed, this suddenly changed Achilles’ mind and turned the tide against Agamemnon’s enemies because he became Hector and King Priam’s enemy. He killed and removed the big obstacle for Agamemnon’s sure victory, the heart and soul of Troy’s defense, who was Hector. A just and civilized nation fell to the hands of barbaric and evil king, Agamemnon.

If I would re-write the situation wherein Patroclos secretly entered Achilles’ tent to get the helmet, armor and weaponry, Achilles will discover this that his cousin and best friend Patroclos planned to disguise and conceal Achilles’ identity to his soldier.  This will prevent the death of Patroclos and subsequently, Achilles will not be involved in the war that was really just Agamemnon’s. They can sail back going home along with his love interest, Briseis.  Achilles ‘mother, Thetis, will be surely happy that her son will be spared from destiny, his death at the hand of Paris. Briseis will bear Achilles’ son and this will be make Achilles a changed person. By the way, when Achilles left the Troy campaign and went back home, Agamemnon’s soldiers were demoralized and defeated. Agamemnon was killed by Hector during a fierce battle. Troy was spared from destruction. His kingdom had been saved from Agamemnon. Helen and Paris live happily ever after. Hector became the new king of Troy after King Priam, who departed a very happy father. Later, a child, a beautiful daughter was born by Helen who later became Achilles and Briseis’ son love interest. This will unite the warring Spartans and Greeks because when Agamemnon died in the battle, Achilles became the successor and the true king of the united Greeks. Their offspring became the key to the true peace and harmony of a two different world. The gods and goddesses in Mt. Olympus were pacified especially Hera, and they let the mortals live their lives without their meddling. Peace lasted and ruled the lands.

Second:

Goddesses are unique and incomparable

Although this scenario is not really given utmost attention in the Iliad story but just merely mentioned. If ever I have the power or given the chance to change an event in any of the chapters in Iliad, or things that have been narrated in Iliad, for me, it should have been the moment when Paris was asked by the three goddesses, Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, of the question, “who among them is the most beautiful and fairest goddess”. Paris should have been fully aware of the possible consequences his judgment may bring to all the mortals like him. This event was the cause of the ten-year war, Trojan War. The fury and envy of Hera never ceased. There were so many collateral damages and destructions, a number of lives have been ruined. Greeks and Spartans became fierce enemy. A great and marvelous kingdom was devastated and fell to the ground. Simply one’s decision opened a Pandora’s Box of sufferings and difficulties for many people. Peace and prosperity for all must be advocated by all, not war. There is no happiness in any war.

                If I would re-write the situation wherein Paris was called and became the judge for these co-equally superb and beautiful goddesses, if I were Paris, I would just play “neutral” to them. I would not render judgment or take side because there was nothing to be judged in the first place. Besides, they were all beautiful in all sense and aspects. The golden apple must be equally divided among them, nothing less nothing more. The trigger that ignited the war would be written off, there would be no great devastation, and there is no war to fight among mortals. There is no more Trojan war to be told. The ending of Iliad is peace, every nation live in peace and harmony.

Patroclos, the most noble warrior the Greek has ever known.

A little recap, Patroclos which means “glory of the father”, was the son of Menoetius, grandson of Actor, King of Opusis and Achilles‘childhood best friend and considered the only trusted person of Achilles, aside from his goddess-mother, Thetis. Patroclos was the main reason why Achilles was involved in the Greek battle campaign of Troy. However, Achilles wanted to protect him from harm.

When the tide of war turned away from the Achaeans (Greeks) because of the on-going stand-off and rift between King Agamemnon and Achilles, the Trojans threatened their ships to be severely attacked. Patroclos quietly knew the situation but cannot convince Achilles to join their comrade into the war; he secretly donned Achilles' war armor and helmet. Both the Greeks and the Trojans thought Achilles had come back to the battle and lead the Myrmidons into combat. In his enthusiasm for actual combat, Patroclos pursued the Trojans all the way back to the gates of Troy. Patroclos killed many Trojans and allies including the Lycian hero Sarpedon (a son of Zeus), and Cebriones (the chariot driver of Hector and illegitimate son of Priam). Patroclos was stunned by Apollo, wounded by Euphorbos, and then finished off by Hector. At the time of his death, Patroclos had killed 53 enemy soldiers.

Patroclos’ fiery desire to contribute greatly to the positive outcome of the Greek campaign in Troy even though it meant he needed to give up and sacrifice his life, no doubt, was the most noble thing a man can do to his motherland. Because his death became the key and catalyst to the victory of the Greeks and to the sudden fall of Troy for simple reason that Achilles, the ultimate warrior of all time had returned to the battle, renouncing the wrath that kept him out of action, routs the Trojans back to the city. He avenged Patroclos death at the hand of Hector. Hector being the greatest fighter of Troy, was the main backbone of the defense of the wall of Troy. When Achilles defeated Hector in a duel, dragged and mangled his body, it demoralized the spirit of the Trojan forces that defended the wall of Troy against the Greek forces, including Hector’s father, King Priam. It was a matter of short time, Troy fell at the hand of King Agamemnon.

Without Patroclos and his sudden demise, many Greek lives will be sacrificed and lost.  Indeed, Patroclos was the noblest warrior of all the Greek and Spartan combined. Patroclos became a big part of the greatest epic the world had ever known, the Iliad. His name was immortalized by his deeds and heroics.

Achilles, the ultimate warrior.

Character of Achilles
-Achilles is a very emotionally volatile person, he is truly a man full of pride. But distinctly, a man who keeps his word and values friendship. It is important for a man, especially of his stature, to keep one's word and value friendship. Agamennon and Achilles are not really on good terms even if the Trojan campaign is not yet starting way back to their Greek homes. They are not seeing eye to eye. He is just persuaded to go with the Greek campaign of Troy because of his cousin's persistence, Patroklos who has been his best friend since childhood.
 
Inappropriate decision-When Agamemnon repeatedly refused to give up Achilles' sweetheart Briseis, Achilles really got mad and went berserk. Subsequently, He did not join the battle. Without him in the side of the Greek battleplan, many of Achilles' comrades died in battle. Even though Achilles's decisions were typically over the top and outrageous, it's obvious that Agamemnon treated him unfairly. That's because Agamemnon, at heart, is little more than a bully. It is senseless for Agamemnon to repeatedly refuse returning back Achilles's girlfriend, even though hundreds of his soldiers are dying in the battle. When he then insists on keeping Achilles' girlfriend, he doesn't have any good reason for it except making sure his "honor" sticks intact – and to punish the Myrmidon warrior for challenging him in public. This is not a king-like decision, for this is a very stupid thing on Agamennon's character. Sacrificing many lives for just one's pride. He can not win a war if he continues to do so.

One of a kind of warrior-Achilles's mother, Thetis, is a goddess. Achilles is much more powerful than a typical mortal. His loving mother wished to make him immortal, and for that purpose she dipped him in the waters of the river Styx. This makes him an invurnerable warrior. Out for his disposal and advantage, are Hephaestus well-crafted armors. This really gives Achilles added huge advantage over all his opponents. The world has no known warrior like Achilles, he is the only one of his league. Indeed a great show of might. 

An epic judgment.

Well, there is no doubt Paris is more honorable and a more noble man. Because when he was offered promises of world sovereignty by Hera, he refused and did what was right. Hera bribed Paris to award Hera the prize during a beauty contest of who among Hera, Athena and Aphrodite is the most fair and the most beautiful. But he chose to give Aphrodite the Golden Apple. He followed what his heart dictated even if it means he unfortunately earns Hera’s fury and rage by doing so. I am dead sure, like hell, that If Menelaus is in the same situation, he will surely accept the bribe being offered by Hera, and Hera will be the sure winner. This began the start of the ten-year conflict famously known as the Trojan War, because Hera was angered by Paris preferring Aphrodite, who happened to be the Goddess of love and beauty. Hera fully aided the Greeks in the Trojan War and was not appeased until Troy was finally destroyed. In my opinion, she’s the man. Sort of.

To cite the same situation which Paris had been through is rarely seen today. Nobility is nowhere to be found in our authority people, and t is of rare occurrence in our political arena. Every politcian has a price, well most of ‘em (presumably true). A stick and carrot system becomes the medium to gain something of material value, literally a “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” thing.

Judging from what I see from people nowadays, there are a lot of Menelaus-like people in our society, especially in the last administration. There is bribery EVERYWHERE. Governors, Congressmen, Senators, you name it. FACT: During a visit in Malacanang, some well selected number of officials were given a small bag full of money just for them to not to vote during an impeachment trial (Classic bribery). Just by jiving in with the administration, they will be dearly rewarded with perks. One of which, Pork barrels are also forms of bribery that persuades quite a majority of politicians to side with whoever is in the highest position of the land, the president.

But there are also a few Paris-like people in our midst of pure heart and conscience. These are the people who are well-educated, firm-standing and are not cowards. Unlike all the Menelaus of this present time, all I can say is that bad luck happens. Like all the Menelaus, no, THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION is an epic fail to mankind and all of its existence. Let’s jump back to reality now - I believe that as long as we live in this accursed world, there will be no peace, there will be no hope. Well, I would be much delighted if I am wrong about that statement. But in the mean time, I will just watch as the world does its worst.

LOL wala pa akong Iliad!!! O.O

Can someone lend me one?