Hector's son is frightened by his father's helmet, specifically its menacing plume, when Hector reaches for him.
When the great Trojan hero Hector extended his arm to embrace his infant son, the child, instead of reaching back, was immediately startled. The primary source of his alarm was not his father himself, but rather the imposing war helmet Hector was wearing. The helmet's design, particularly its large, intimidating plume that swayed and moved, appeared menacing to the young child.
This unexpected reaction caused the infant to shrink back in fear, instinctively recoiling into the protective embrace of his nurse. This tender yet humorous moment highlights the stark contrast between Hector's role as a formidable warrior and his identity as a loving father, providing a brief, poignant pause in the epic narrative.
