Patroclus and Achilles in this scene are forced to balance questions of selfhood, love, responsibility, and honor. Out of love, Patroclus wants Achilles to live and not fight. Yet Patroclus knows that, if Achilles refused to go to war, the powerful, impervious Achilles he loves would cease to be. Achilles, meanwhile, knows that in going to war he bears responsibility for bringing Patroclus with him. But his love for Patroclus makes him unable to leave Patroclus behind. In the end, Achilles, like all the other Greek men, has his selfhood tied up in his honor, which means he can’t escape war or violence even if it will cost his life.