I finally reached the last book! Zeus sends Tethis to Achilles to tell him to ransom Hector's body, and he sends Iris to Priam to tell him that he may go retrieve Hector's body.
Lots of powerful speeches here. Apollo's protest to the gods at the way they permit Achilles to remain obdurate, Tethis's reminder to her son that grief cannot replace food or rest, Hecabe's protest to Priam that she doesn't want him to go to the Greek camp are all very strong. We also see Zeus here as the conciliator, finding a middle ground between Apollo and Hera, honoring Achilles without dishonoring Hector.
Richardson comments that book 24 looks forward to the Odyssey, where both have scenes of gods complaining to Zeus about the gods' unjust treatment of mortals, and I found that really interesting as well.
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