Achilles versus William

Ancient vs. “Modern(somewhat)”

Childhood

Achilles The Greek- William Thatcher-

Achilles is the son of Thesis (mom) and Peleus (the god/dad). His mother dipped him in the Styx river so he would become immortal but she forgot his heel (where she was holding him).

William Thatcher was born in “Cheapside” London, England. He was sent away by his father when he was a young boy, with a knight, so that William could make something of himself or as his dad says “change his stars.”

Childhood ComparisonsI noticed that both Achilles’ and William’s parents were both well know but the difference was that Achilles’ parents were well know because his father was a king and they were rich and Williams parents were well known because of their poverty.

The Call

William Thatcher- Achilles-

William receives his call when his “Lord” died and he was forced to take his place in the tournament in order to make money so he and his friends could eat a descent meal.

Achilles received his call when he was asked by Odyseus to fight for the Greeks in Troy for Helen, the wife of the king of Sparta.

The Call ComparisonsThe differences between the call of Achilles’ and William’s were that Achilles was fighting for the Greeks so they could leave him alone but William did it so that he could earn money to feed himself, his friends and their families.

Helpers

Achilles- William Thatcher-

Achilles received a lot of help from different people but the person that helped him the most was Patroclus, his nephew. He was the son of Achilles’ older half-sister Periopis.

William had several helpers, In my opinion no one helped him more than Roland and Wat, two of his closest friends since he was sent off by his dad to live with a knight.

Comparing Helpers

Both Achilles and William had helpers that they have know their whole life.

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Climax

William Thatcher- Achilles-

The climax for William is when he is at the world championships parading around remembering when he was a kid and looking at the knights pass by. Also when William fights Count Adhemar.

The climax for Achilles is when he fights Hector outside the walls of Troy so he could get revenge. Since Hector killed Patroclus thinking he was Achilles.

Comparing Climax

Similarities I saw in both climax were that both Achilles and William were fighting the “best”. For example, Achilles was fighting Hector, the best fighter in Troy. William was jousting against Count Adhemar, the best jouster.

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Obstacles

Achilles- William Thatcher-

One of the obstacles was the death of his nephew, who was like Achilles’ “bodyguard”, who, even though Achilles was the best fighter and could protect himself, watched his back.

An obstacle for William is Count Adhemar who defeats him in jousting the first time they joust, and who tells the authorities that William is not of noble birth, so he is thrown into the “stocks.”

Comparing ObstaclesBoth obstacles involve the person that they fight with in the climax. An obstacle for Achilles is that Hector killed his nephew Patroclus. An obstacle for William is that Count Adhemar turns him in to the authorities and he get arrested.

End of Problems

William Thatcher- Achilles-

William wins the world Championships, get named a real knight by Prince Edward, defeats Count Adhemar, and ends up with Jocelyn and marries her.

Achilles is fighting in Troy and gets struck in the heel by an arrow that was sent by Paris, the Trojan prince. He was hit in the only “mortal” or “weak” part of his body, causing him to bleed to death.

Comparison In The End Of Problems

These stories have nothing in common in the end. William wins the world tournament and marries Jocelyn. On the other hand Achilles dies after getting struck in the heel, his only “weak spot.”

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Sources

Achilles with sword- bemyastrologer.com Achilles just standing there- twi-ny.comWilliam in armor- forums.joeuser.comWilliam with sword- yourprops.com