We have another condition. Such an insult as King Menelaus has suffered... demands retribution.
We will return all gifts and make reparations.
These are King Agamemnon's demands. The Straits of the Dardanelles; you control them. You tax every cargo, every ship.
[Pandarus passes the terms to Priam]
A few years' hardship, nothing more. A lesson learned.
Oh, I see: this is why you're here. To destroy our economy.
We are here because you insulted my honor!
Don't be hasty. King Priam, consider the best option for your city.
I was the loudest voice in advocating Helen's return.
[sharply] Get out. And take your conditions with you.
[He smashes the tablet as Paris enters]
No one's taking her. [he brandishes his sword at Menelaus as Hector holds him back] No one.
This is a disgrace. A breach of the protocol.
Alexander! Put down your weapon. Your queen isn't going anywhere. [Paris lowers his sword] Troilus, Deiphobus, see them out.
We will bring the rage of the Gods down on your ASIATIC HEADS! [he storms out]
Think again. No one wants this war. Make a counter-offer-
Leave... and take your smooth tongue with you.
[Odysseus leaves. Achilles stands to leave; he smirks at Hector and Paris, sizing them up]
AchillesWe will be back. [bows and leaves]
Achilles
I thought you might come.
When does this stop? When we're all dead?
Achilles
When the King feels in his soul the wrong he's done me, and gives me back my girl. That probably won't happen tonight.
They have twice the numbers. They have dozens of horses; you could have Trojan riders in your tent within hours.
Achilles
Well, we'll be sure to welcome them. Won't we? [he glances at Patroclus, who chuckles]
Achilles
See, I'm not like you, Odysseus. You like to win, regardless of the cause. If I feel the cause is wrong, I can't move. [Odysseus scoffs] My sword won't rise in my hand-
Stop this. We don't have time!
Achilles
There's always time for thinking, Nestor.
We need your men, even if you won't fight.
Achilles
Give me a reason, and I'll fight. One that isn't rape or pillage. You show me a higher calling that demands my power. Give me a cause, and I'll give you war. Can you? [pause] Thought not. So, in the absence of glory... you'll have to rely on your ways, Odysseus: the wiles of man. They've served you well up 'till now.
You'll regret this. I swear, by the Gods. [He and Nestor turn to leave]
Achilles
What do you know of Gods?
PPatroclus
The Trojans are burning our supplies!
Achilles
And with us so close to victory. How inconsiderate of them.
PPatroclus
If we run out of food, we will starve with everyone else.
Achilles
Well, I'm sure Menelaus has it under control-
PPatroclus
He doesn't have it under control; he doesn't have anything under control! The time has come, Achilles! [Achilles walks away, Patroclus follows him] You've lost a prize, and you've been sitting around like sour milk ever since. You're no better than Agamemnon. [Achilles glares at him] He knows he's an arrogant bastard; he doesn't try to hide it behind some lofty ideals!
Achilles
Are you done?
PPatroclus
I'm done sitting around, waiting for you to remember that you have a pair of balls and a sword. I would like to go home now, and I cannot until this war is finished!
Achilles
[coldly] Well, perhaps you should leave, before I forget that I once held affection for you.
PPatroclus
[steps closer, puts his hand on Achilles' shoulder] It's not affection, it's love. And I'm not afraid of it.
Achilles
... When my mother dipped me in the river as a child, she did so with a mother's love. She gripped me tightly. Even as she looked to make me invincible... she feared she'd drown me. [caresses Patroclus' cheek] Love is weakness.
PPatroclus
... It doesn't have to be. [squeezes Achilles' hand] Fight with me. If not, then fight for me.
[As Achilles kills several of his prisoners outside the gates of Troy while calling for Hector to face him]
AAinia
I saw your man die on the beach. He begged for mercy like a raped servant girl. I've never seen a soldier die with less dignity.
[Achilles walks over to her and holds his knife to her throat]
AAinia
[sneering] My Queen will open your heart and drink your blood, you son of a whore.
Achilles
Son of a goddess, actually. [he slits her throat] HECTOR!!
Please, don't go out there. Not today! Don't fight that man.
Stay here with me, with our son! Please-
I would chose a short life as your husband, over a long life alone. [kisses her, their newborn son begins crying] I fight for you both. :[walks on]
[The gate opens and he comes out to face Achilles, as his family watch from the walls. Achilles and Hector fight, with each of them taking wounds to the left shoulder]
You bleed like the rest of us!
[Enraged, Achilles charges Hector and they clash again. As Hector makes a counterattack, he over-extends his thrust and Achilles slashes across his sword hand, cutting off four fingers and causing Hector to scream in pain. Priam, Andromache and Hecuba begin to weep]
Achilles
[pointing his sword at the helpless Hector] On your knees.
[Achilles stalks around Hector and slashes both his hamstrings, causing him to collapse in agony]
Achilles
You will die on your knees.
[Andromache begins to sob; Paris stares at Achilles with murder in his eyes. Achilles glances up at them as he circles around Hector, then stabs him through the chest]
Achilles
[leans close to Hector] When you get to the riverman, pause a while. Your wife and your son will be there shortly.
[Priam has entered Achilles' camp]
Achilles
If you don't leave before it's light, I can't protect you from what might happen.
I told you, I'm not going back alone. I'd rather die here, with my son.
Achilles
[to his men]... Bring him in. [They escort Priam into Achilles' tent] Hector brought this on himself, on the beach. He showed no mercy.
We know what he did. His mother wants to bury him, like you buried Patroclus.
Achilles
Your son is not worthy of burial.
Why was Patroclus in your armor?
Achilles
I refused to fight.
Achilles
The king. Agamemnon took my spoils. A girl from Cilicia. He took her for his own, when he'd done nothing to win her.
Achilles
Yes.
So... why did Patroclus disobey you? Hmm? [they both sit]
Achilles
Patroclus insisted we did our duty. Defend... what was ours. I told him not to do it, and he wouldn't listen.
Well, not everyone has your strength, Achilles. It takes a mighty pride to do nothing, when the world is falling around you.
Achilles
Patroclus was reckless!
Achilles
Say it. If I had been, he would still be here, right?
[nods] And so would my son.
Achilles
Tell me about him.
Achilles
Hector.
Achilles What was he like, as a child?
He was a terror, what do you expect?
Achilles
[nods] Me, too.
His mother spoiled him, but he grew up, and... well, he became a better man than me. [struggling to contain his grief] Hector had his mothers'... calm. He always knew what was needed. He... he really was the best of men. [Weeps]
Achilles
[to his men] Get him some water. [The Myrmidons obey]
(sobbing) His mother... She will die without his body. Brother, help me. Please.
Achilles
Priam!! Where are you?! [the gates open and Priam emerges with several guards] You broke the truce.
You broke it! [draws his sword]
Achilles
Lies! [two of Priam's guards attack him, but he easily cuts them down] You killed one of my men in cold blood!
Greek trickery, not ours!
Achilles
No. NO! [he kills the other three guards and advances on Priam] Odysseus wouldn't do that.
[As Paris rides up behind them, Achilles knocks Priam to the ground]
Achilles
May the Gods forgive you.
[ As he raises his sword for the kill, Paris fires an arrow and pierces his heel. Achilles staggers to his knees, and Priam stabs him in the side with a dagger. Achilles tries to kill Priam again, but before he can drive his sword home Paris pierces his throat with a second arrow. Achilles falls as Paris helps Priam up.]
Achilles
[weakly]... Lies. Treachery.
We didn't lie. You Greeks broke the truce.
Achilles
You killed one of my men.
We never left the city during the truce!
Achilles
Swear that on your brother's grave.
[kneels over him] I swear it. You were betrayed by your own side.
[Achilles stares at him for a moment, then laughs weakly]
Achilles
Tell Odysseus... to him the glory. This was always a shabby war.
[Achilles dies]
Troy: Fall of a City · 20 quotes
