Achilles

Peter Paul Rubens, Thetis Dipping an Infant Achilles Into the River Styx, 1635,  Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Forrest Glembo

The painting “Thetis Dipping the Infant Achilles Into the River Styx” by the 17th-century artist Peter Paul Rubens, depicts the Nereid Goddess, Thetis, holding her son Achilles by the heel as she dips him into the River Styx. In the painting, Thetis’s facial expression leaves the viewer with the impression of a woman who has an intense yearning to affect some outcome, even if she knows in her heart that it’s futile. Surrounding her, the scenery in Rubens dark painting foreshadows a violent life: One brought about by the conflict between destiny, and a mother's desire to protect her son.

To begin with, it should be said that Thetis’s desires may have even deeper roots than normal maternal instincts. She was, after all, unable to protect herself from the fate chosen for her when the gods Zeus and Peleus forced her to marry a mortal after it was foretold that she would have a son who would be “mightier than his father.” Even though Thetis is a powerful immortal goddess, one of the daughters of the sea god Nereus, she was unable to use her powers as a shapeshifter to avoid this fate (Morford et al. 86).

            Beyond Thetis’s facial expression, the painting's colors display the unnatural contrast between Thetis and Achilles, who are almost glowing against the background, and the dark world that she has brought them into. At the root of the darkness at the bottom of the painting is The River Styx, or “River of hate” which acts as the bridge between the living and the dead and is guarded by the vicious three-headed dog Cerberus (Morford et al. 171). Altogether, it depicts a terrifying environment for an infant, which is made even more visceral by the baby Achilles being dangled by the heel into the ink-black waters.

            Thetis’s protection was not totally in vain, however. As an adult, Achilles is the most feared warrior alive, and “the most destructive force of the Trojan War.” He symbolizes everything the ancient Greeks valued in men: strength, and extreme talent as a warrior (La Fond, Lesson 7). As one of his many notable victories in battle, he kills the great Trojan warrior, Hector, in one-on-one combat. (This fight is coincidentally the subject of another Rubens painting)

            Interestingly, although Achilles appears to be invulnerable on Earth, he is aware of the possible trajectories of his life. His mother, Thetis, even told him as an adult that he could choose between a safe homecoming or dying on the battlefield and having an imperishable “kleos” or glory (La Fond, Lesson 1). Ultimately, Achilles does meet his fate, by the single weakness which was the part of his body that was undipped in the river where his mother held onto him—his Achilles heel.

From a certain perspective, it could be said that Thetis did achieve her goal of granting her son a form of immortality because even though he chose death on the battlefield, his name will live on forever.

Chad Empey

Of the many Greek myths that have continued into popularity, Achilles is one of the most popular. In this painting, we are shown the scene where Achilles, as a baby, is dipped by his mother, Tethys, into the river Styx of the underworld, thus making him invincible, well, almost. The painting known as  "Thetis Dipping the Infant Achilles Into the River Styx" by the 17th-century artist Peter Paul Rubens shows many elements of Greek myth used in depicting the mythic narrative of Achilles being dipped into the river Styx.

        As we begin surveying the painting, the eye is instantly drawn to the infant Achilles and his mother, Thetis, a sea nymph. This illumination is achieved through the bright light imposed upon them by the torch one of Theses' companions carries. The torch provides a glowing light while they're on the dark precipice of the underworld, lending sense to the premise of Achilles' story. We see how Thetis is holding Achilles by his heel to prevent it from being covered, thus making him prone to weakness in that ever-so-famous spot. (La Fond Lesson 7)

        The painting shows how the famous story of Achilles being dipped in the river Styx takes place at the border of the underworld and the world of the living. Peter Rubens achieved this by painting a frame around the image resembling the gates that lead into Hades, as seen with the two silver pillars on both sides. Lying between the pillars resting at the steps, guarding the underworld, is Cubrius, Hades' three-headed dog. (La Fond Lesson 6)

        In the background of the painting, we see the portrayal of the underworld as a dark and cold place, with karst-like terrain filled with bats, where the river Styx of the underground flows in and around Hades. (Conners Lesson 6) Additionally, we see an essential aspect of the underworld: the transition of those who have passed on in their attempt to cross the river. On the side that looks like the ends of the earth, thousands yearn to go forward to the underworld, and the only way they can do so is by the boat that Charon ferries, also depicted in this painting.

        The painted frame that showcases the myth allows the viewer to see the architectural flare of the Baroque period. The frill on the columns and the gilded decoration, with the elaborate centerpiece depicting a bat, show how the Baroque style influenced the art of the era to create unique depictions of famous Greek myths.

        With this artist's representation of Achilles and his mother, Peter Rubens has shown how, though Achilles will have a bright, short-lived life, his story will be consumed by darkness and tragedy in the end, with the loss of Patroclus and the final hours of his life in tory where he would ultimately meet his death when the Trojan Paris launched a spear right into the heel held by his mother.

Works Cited

Conners, Katherine & La Fond, Marie. Lesson 6: Video Lectures, University of Washington, https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1729190/pages/lesson-6-video-lectures?module_item_id=21246311

La Fond, Marie. Lesson 1: Video Lectures, University of Washington, https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1729190/pages/lesson-1-video-lectures?module_item_id=21246276.

La Fond, Marie. Lesson 6: Video Lectures, University of Washington, https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1729190/pages/lesson-6-video-lectures?module_item_id=21246311

La Fond, Marie. Lesson 7: Video Lectures, University of Washington, canvas.uw.edu/courses/1729190/pages/lesson-7-video-lectures?module_item_id=21246318.

Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. 12th ed., Oxford UP, 2023.