In both the stories of the Iliad and Camelot, the main characters seek success through either side of the order versus chaos dichotomy with Arthur on the side of order and Achilles with chaos, which ultimately leads to irreversible consequences for both characters.
In Camelot, Arthur tries to figure out a way to unite England and stop the warring territories. He comes up with an idea that he shares with Guinevere in which he says “Jenny, suppose we create a new order of chivalry? A new order, where might is only used for right, to improve instead of destroy. Look we’ll invite all the knights, all the kings of all the kingdoms to lay down their arms and to come and join us”. This sets Arthur on his way to try and gain success through order by…show more content… At first Guinevere does not like Lancelot and has Sir Lionel, Sir Sagramore and Sir Dinadan challenge him to a joust. Lancelot ends up defeating the three knights and miraculously wills Dinadan back from unconsciousness after Dinadan gets seriously injured in the joust. This makes Guinevere change her mind about Lancelot and when he confesses his love and says “Jenny, I love you. God forgive me, but I do.” and she responds with “God forgive us both, Lance”. Those words are what spark the affair between Guinevere and Lancelot. This is the consequence of Arthur creating the round table because if there was no round table then Lancelot would not be able to be with Guinevere. Then in the Iliad, Achilles still mad at Agamemnon for what happened with Briseis, refuses to rejoin the battle. Though Patroclus has an idea that could work and talks to Achilles saying “give me your own fine armour to buckle on my back so the Trojans might take me for you”(413). Achilles accepts but “ a Dardan fighter speared [Patroclus] squarely between the shoulder blades with a sharp lance.”(438) and “[Hector] planted a heel against Patroclus’ chest, wrenched his brazen spear from the wound, kicked him over, flat on his back, free and clear of his weapon” (440). Patroclus’ death is a causal string that can be traced back to Achilles wish for the Trojans to cause dismay to the Greek…show more content… Before the execution happens Mordred talks to Arthur and asks “Why not ignore the verdict and pardon her?” but Mordred quickly follows up with “ You can't do that, can you, Let her die your life is over; let her live, your life’s a fraud. Kill the Queen or kill the law”. Arthur is left with the results in his quest for order and cannot undo the damage that has been dealt. After Patroclus’ death, Achilles mourns over the death of his friend. Then, Achilles has a dream where Patroclus tells him to hurry and lay his body to rest. Achilles at the end of the dream Achilles asks Patroclus to “Throw our arms around each other, for just a moment- take some joy in the tears that numb the heart!” (562) and “[Achilles] stretched his loving arms but could not seize him, no, the ghost slipped underground like a wisp of smoke”(562). When that happens Achilles says “Ah god! So even in Death’s strong house there is something left, a ghost, a phantom-true, but no real breath of life.” (562-563). Like Arthur, Achilles is left to come to terms with the consequences of his actions and there is no reversing what has been
