Current findings

So far in my research I have taken a closer look at Patroclus, expecially in book 16, titled "Patroclus Fights and Dies". Analyzing the lines, it is clear that Patroclus decides to disguise himself in Achilles' armor. After he does this he seems to encompass Achilles' being. Patroclus not only rallies his men with confident battle talk, but slaughters with much force and vengeance. The disguise of Achilles' armor seems to transform Patroclus into a tenacious soldier like Achilles.
I was really interested in one particular question: when Patroclus takes on this disguise does it lead to his demise? Achilles finally agrees that Patroclus can wear his armor to get the Trojans away from destroying the Greek ships, but tells him not to go as far as Troy. This is what Patroclus fails at. He seems so caught up in the fighting that he leads the troops too far into Troy, the gods are not ok with all of his killing either, especially upon Sarpedon (son of Zeus). Greek god intervention and being"blind in his fatal frenzy" led to Patroclus' death- but this would not have happened if he wasn't wearing the mighty Achilles' armor, a powerful disguise.
Of course, just when I was satisfied with this rendering, I stumble across some brief information about who came up with the idea for Patroclus to wear Achilles' armor. It wasn't Patroclus, like I had thought. In book 11 it is Nestor who suggests to Patroclus to disguise himself in Achilles' armor. A scholarly writing by James Armostrong, written in 1958, gives a strong opinion that "It was Nestor who first suggested the exchange of armor ...[this]was to Patroclus the beginning of evil" (347). I don't want to lead off from my research in this direction, even though it is fascinating to find if Nestor is an evil presence. I still read this book 11 section understanding that even though Nestor introduced the idea of disguise, Patroclus was eager to implement Achilles' disguise upon himself. Patroclus makes the decision.
One major goal within all the reading I am doing is to find the Greek belief of disguise. Looking at many timelines, influences are very scarce. The time period of Homer was during the Greek Archaic period (800-500 B.C.). The great Greek philosophers came after Homer. Two things stand out to serve as an influence to lead Homer into using disguises in both the Iliad and the Odyssey:
1. The Greeks believed that the gods would disguise themselves
and intermingle within the human world, even to check on
mortal hospitality. We see the gods continuously fighting in the
Trojan War. Sometimes as themselves, which shock the soldiers
and in a disguise, whether it be as a person or as a whirlwind
presence.
2. There are several mythological stories that show the gods
choosing a disguise in order to hide, but most importantly, to
get something they want. Rhea disguises a rock like her
newborn infant Zeus, knowing that Cronus would swallow the
baby out of fear of the prophecy that Cronus will someday be
overtaken by one of his children.
I believe that the mythological stories and beliefs of this time period are the inspiration for Homer to include the element of disguise within his epics. So far, I am leaning more towards the idea that he is sending a message that a disguise can be handled by a god because they are the ultimate powerforces, but for a mortal, a disguise is something that must be used wisely and with great skill.

What better mortal to utilize a disguise with profound skill and astuteness? Odysseus would be the man! This is where I continue my research...............................

Questions and Ideas

In the course of my research I plan to look closely at the character Patroclus when he is wearing Achilles' armor. Concentrating on Homer's words in this section of The Iliad I find myself interested in several things:

• In concerning mortals, does Homer have a certain message about disguises?
• Is Homer trying to say that only the Greek gods should toy with disguises?
• Does the armor of the heroic Achilles lead Patrolcus to his death?

Taking another look at and rereading Book 16 will give more insight.

When thinking of Homer and the idea of using disguises, I can't help but instantly think of Odysseus from The Odyssey. Odysseus cleverly utilized disguises in different ways. He disguised his identity when he gave a false name to the cyclops, Polyphemus. Upon returning to Ithaca and gaining the help of Athena, Odysseus disguised his appearance as an old beggar in order rid the disrespectful suitors from his home.

• Did Odysseus become a master of disguises from the successful Trojan Horse incident; afterall it was a plan that involved concealment and hiding in order to win.
• What characteristics does Odysseus portray when he decides to disguise himself?
• Again, does Homer offer a message here?

On the suggestion of my professor, Dr. Pollack, I will also look to find scholarly information about disguises in ancient times.

• Can I find beliefs and customs to the idea and use of disguises?
• Are there any possible remnants of disguises that help scientists come to conclusions about the use of disguises?

This is the organiztion that I am taking. I intend to take an even closer look at Homer's words in order to gain clues and hints. As I give this insight to my research, so many more questions fill my head about these two characters and what their disguises reveal.

Thesis

Thesis: Homer creatively implements the use of disguises for both his god and mortal characters. Focusing in on the mortal characters of Patroclus, found in The Iliad, and Odysseus, the protagonist of The Odyssey, Homer has an intense message about the power of disguises and what they do for these two characters. A Homeric character must turn to manipulating his identity in order to get what they want, and perhaps, even more importantly, in order to survive.