the String of Pearls ) Shlomit Shakked The subtitle of Elie Shamir's painting implies that the mythological hero Achilles chose the string of pearls when his identity was challenged . Mythology , however , tells a different tale : Achilles' mother Thetis knew he was destined to be killed in the Trojan war . In order to prevent his death , she sent him to King Lycomedes' court , where he was made to hide among the maidens , wear women's clothes and occupy himself with weaving . Odysseus , who arrived at the palace disguised as a peddler , brought along women's jewelry as well as swords and daggers . The maidens crowded around the jewelry whereas Achilles went for the weapons . His choice revealed his identity and determined his fate . Achilles was killed on the battlefield , Paris' arrow hitting his heel—his weak point . The mythological Achilles is therefore driven by an uncontrollable determinism against whose tyranny he must move passively towards a reality that cannot be opposed . E...
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