著者

佐野 好則

出版者

日本西洋古典学会

雑誌

西洋古典学研究 (ISSN:04479114)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.59, pp.1-11, 2011

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Nestor's story in Iliad 11 seems to be without close correspondences with the main plot of the epic, unlike other paradeigmata in the Iliad such as the story of Meleager and the story of Niobe. Still, critics have detected some elements which are similar to the situations surrounding the Greeks in the Iliad, such as the loss of leading warriors and the besieged city of Tryoessa. A notable feature of the story is the similarity of Nestor's valour in the cattle raid and in the battle against the Epeians. Another notable feature is the repeated references to Nestor's relationship to his father Neleus. Both of these features strengthen the contrast between Nestor who displayed his valour though his father forbade him to enter the battle, and Achilleus who does not display his valour though his father Peleus ordered him to do so. These elements contribute to the function of this story as a paradeigma for Achilleus. Patroclus is moved by the story, and when he sees Achilleus in book 16 and reports Nestor's words, he does not overtly ask Achilleus to return to battle. Instead, Patroclus emphatically asks Achilleus to let him return to battle, though this was only Nestor's second option. Those elements in Nestor's story in book 11 which strengthen its function as a paradeigma for Achilleus are so designed that they also work on Patroclus. In Nestor's story, the point where Nestor stopped his pursuit of the enemies and withdrew is clearly marked. It is notable that the moment when Patroclus should have stopped his pursuit of the Trojans is emphasized. This contrast between Nestor and Patroclus is discernible for the audience (or readers) of the Iliad who know the outcome of the influence of Nestor's story on Patroclus through the course of the epic. Nestor's story, which seems to be merely a lengthy and garrulous boast, is skillfully connected to the main plot of the Iliad on different levels: It is scattered with elements which strengthen its function as a paradeigma both for Achilleus and Patroclus. It also points to Patroclus' death through a notable contrast between this story and the course of events in the main plot of the epic.