To free themselves of their sins, two men encapsulated in their grief must practice humility. Teaching one another the importance of both fatherhood and leadership helps the duo reach their aspirations. The introductions of Priam and Achilles in Ransom greatly differ from their true nature. While Achilles is considered a hero, he displays unfitting behavior such as allowing his companion to perish in battle, dragging around a corpse and sulking. Priam is initially described as useless, fitting the role of an apathetic king and father. Priam defies Malouf’s generalization by experiencing small pleasures that generate appreciation for the common man’s work and risking his life for the body of his son.
Achilles is a general in the Trojan war. He displays great …show more content…
After his mother’s death, Achilles is expected to act only with his warrior persona, therefore he grieves “silently, never permitting himself to betray to others what he felt” (Malouf, 5). An unhealthy habit erupts as a boy is murdered by Achilles’ mate, Patroclus. The boy and Achilles maintain eye contact during the murder, showing a connection. Achilles watches helplessly as he is “stunned as if the blow was to himself” (13). The boy’s death, as well as Achilles’ mother’s, is forever attached to him. Achilles and the boy are connected “darkly, flesh to ghost” (15). Instantaneously, Achilles is bonded with Patroclus, but in a different way. Achilles losing control of his agency is a common occurrence throughout Malouf’s Ransom. Even as Achilles protests that Patroclus not face Hector, he finds himself “suddenly drained of all will” (18). He can now only watch as Patroclus faces his certain demise. Patroclus’ death began the internal death of Achilles as well, as Achilles referred to Patroclus as a “man who was half himself” (18). As Achilles is mourning, he is visited by Patroclus’ ghost. After, Achilles determines that Hector must pay with his life