Week 4 Story: Lost Love
“Dear Achilles,
I hope you understand as to why I am writing this. It is in regards to the body of my husband, Hector, which you are in possession of. You have caused me a great deal of pain and despair. I have lost my family twice because of you. My father and brothers were slain at your hand and how I suffered, then to lose my mother as well. But then I found Hector and had a child with him, and how I was full of joy that I had a family again. Only for you to take it away once more. I feel as though many think I should be furious with you, they would think that I wished the worst fate upon you. But I do not, for I know that you have lost the one you loved too. Unfortunately, it was at the hands of my dearest Hector. Patroclus was dear to you and he was your family like Hector was mine. You have known him a great long time and loved him for most of that time. I understand your actions although they bring me great sorrow. If I was in your position it would be likely that I would do the same, but my current position only allows me to mourn. Which is why I kindly ask you to return Hector’s body to me, so that I can mourn and give my love his proper burial. I hope you can put yourself in my position and understand my need to see Hector once more.
I send with this letter, my deepest condolences to you for your loss. For I know what a tragedy it is to live on, after the other is gone.
Sincerely,
Andromache”
Achilles felt tears fall down his face, when he finished reading the letter he looked towards Patroclus’ lifeless body and was filled with guilt.
When Priam arrives at Achilles tent pleading, Achilles’ mind had already been decided. He was moved by Andromache words and felt a sense of obligation to allow her to mourn as he is. He hopes that one day she and Hector will be reunited once again in the underworld, like he and Patroclus will be soon.
I hope you understand as to why I am writing this. It is in regards to the body of my husband, Hector, which you are in possession of. You have caused me a great deal of pain and despair. I have lost my family twice because of you. My father and brothers were slain at your hand and how I suffered, then to lose my mother as well. But then I found Hector and had a child with him, and how I was full of joy that I had a family again. Only for you to take it away once more. I feel as though many think I should be furious with you, they would think that I wished the worst fate upon you. But I do not, for I know that you have lost the one you loved too. Unfortunately, it was at the hands of my dearest Hector. Patroclus was dear to you and he was your family like Hector was mine. You have known him a great long time and loved him for most of that time. I understand your actions although they bring me great sorrow. If I was in your position it would be likely that I would do the same, but my current position only allows me to mourn. Which is why I kindly ask you to return Hector’s body to me, so that I can mourn and give my love his proper burial. I hope you can put yourself in my position and understand my need to see Hector once more.
I send with this letter, my deepest condolences to you for your loss. For I know what a tragedy it is to live on, after the other is gone.
Sincerely,
Andromache”
Achilles felt tears fall down his face, when he finished reading the letter he looked towards Patroclus’ lifeless body and was filled with guilt.
When Priam arrives at Achilles tent pleading, Achilles’ mind had already been decided. He was moved by Andromache words and felt a sense of obligation to allow her to mourn as he is. He hopes that one day she and Hector will be reunited once again in the underworld, like he and Patroclus will be soon.
(Grief of Andromache for Hector, Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Author's Notes: This story is based off of Alfred J. Church's retelling of The Iliad. In which after Patroclus is killed by Hector, Achilles seeks out to avenge him and kills Hector. He continues to disrespect his body and refuses to give him up until King Priam of Troy comes to his tent and pleads to him. In my story, I focus on Hector's wife, Andromache. She has suffered quite a bit because she had lost her family at the hand of Achilles, I wanted to bring that into this story and build an emotional connection between the two. Both Achilles and Andromache lost someone dear to them and I wanted to show the parallel between them.
Bibliography: The Iliad for Boys and Girls by Alfred J. Church. Web Source.
I have to start off by saying your story immediately caught my attention. I won’t lie, I had to skip to your author’s note because it made me so curious to know what this story was based off. My favorite part was how you wrote this in first person. It made the story come to life in my opinion. I also like that this story was a letter! That also stood out to me while reading. I did wonder more about the bond between the two couples. What if you added in a short story in the letter of a memory? I think this would really make this story even deeper than it already is. Overall, you made this something so unique, and I was truly so engaged while reading. I also like the image you chose. It fits the scenes in the letter, and a perfect ending to the letter.
ReplyDeleteWow! I never would have thought to use a letter as the focus of one of my stories, and I am so impressed with the creativity behind this. Your use of detail and perspective in the letter really paints a clear picture of Andromache's despair over her dead husband. Also, the authors note really helped to bring the original story and your story together.
ReplyDeleteHi Dora!
ReplyDeleteI really like that you wrote this story as a letter, and I especially like that you even included Achilles' reaction at the end. I admire how you had Andromache explain her grief and sorrow while still understanding Achilles' position and choices. That made for such a powerful story, and it made me feel even worse for Andromache because it helps paint her as a sympathetic and thoughtful character. You brought in a new perspective and refrained from making things black-and-white or good-and-evil, but instead showed the motivations and pains of people on both sides. Thank you so much for sharing; I really enjoyed reading this one!