Achilles is overcome with grief upon hearing of Patroclus’ death. His mother Thetis comes to console him. Polydamas the wise, counsels Hector to retreat into the city walls since Achilles is back. Hector refuses. Thetis visits Vulcan and asks him to forge a new set of armor. Vulcan spends the whole night forging a new breastplate, helmet, and a shield embossing heaven, earth, seas, and scenes from humanity into the armor.
This is the third post on book 18. The forging of the armor was dramatic and poetic. The whole chapter was quite thought-provoking.