Question

How does Thetis help Achilles? How long will it take her to complete her task?

Answer 1

Thetis and Achilles are two Iliad’s figures and the strong bond between mother and son represents one of the great poetic themes .

Thetis is more than a supporting character in Homer's epic poem infact her actions greatly influence the war and its consequences.  

There is some evidence that the sea-goddess played a more central role in the religious beliefs and practices of Archaic Greece. When Achilles feels wronged or in trouble, he turns to his mother for help , which she provides. His child was a mortal like his father Peleus, so he is destined to have a short life even though his mother was an immortal sea goddess.

She played a key part the Trojan War events. Nine years after the beginning of the Trojan War, the Iliad starts with Agamemnon, the King of the Achaeans, and Achilles, arguing over Briseis, a war prize of Achilles.  

Finally Achilles, disgraced by Agamemnon, refuses to fight to demonstrate how much the Greeks need him to win the war. Thetis convinces  Achilles to wait until she speaks with Jove to rejoin the fighting and he waited. She begs Jove to let win the Trojans, even if they are enemies of his son.  

Thetis is aware that the Trojans are destined to defeat, but asks Jove to postpone that moment, making them win some battles, so that the Greeks beg Achilles to return to fight and Agamemnon asks the hero's forgiveness.