Summary

In “Single Combat,” 12 days after Achilles leaves the war, Zeus returns and Thetis requests the Trojan Victory. Zeus agrees.

Zeus sends Agamemnon a dream telling him if he goes into battle today he will win.

Agamemnon wakes and decides to test the army by telling them he has decided to forfeit and see what they do. The army consents to forfeiting, tired of war. Only Odysseus realizes Agamemnon was lying and tells the warriors to stay.

The entire army approaches the walls of Troy. The entire Trojan army emerges, confident after hearing that Achilles left. Paris challenges any warrior to single combat. Menelaus accepts the challenge. Paris —with the encouragement of Hector, his brother and Trojan leader— says they will fight to the death, winner receiving Helen and winning the war.

Helen watches from a watchtower with King...