As a man approaches
Its lair in the mountains,
Venom in its fangs
And poison in its heart,
Glittering eyes
Glaring from the rocks: (Illiad Book 22, 104-110).
In this scene Hector is outside the safety of the walls of Troy waiting to fight Achilles. He refuses the pleas of his mother and father to come inside. He believes since his fate is almost up he must finish his life with an honorable stand. However, Hector is like the snake in the sense that he is a protector. The snake protects its lair even though the man who approaches is more powerful than itself. Likewise Hector knows Achilles is more powerful and he will likely lose his life to him, but he still guards his home from the intruder. Hector knows Achilles is coming to kill him, and he is tense and anxious. Like the snake in the simile Hector is extremely focused on the impending danger. The snake watches with his glittering eyes as does Hector.
The snake in the simile is said to have poison in his fangs and venom in his heart. Hector doesn't have venom, but he is prepared to fight to defend his land. The comparison between the man and snake to Achilles and Hector may point towards the unfairness of the situation. Men are stronger than snakes and so is Achilles stronger than Hector. However, Hector is not prepared to give up. He is strong and the note that the snake has a weapon to fight the enemy could indicate that Hector is not down for the count just yet. Though Zeus and the gods assume Achilles will kill Hector, Zeus brings out his scales to judge both men's lives. The gods have some doubts about the time of the end of Hector's life.
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