Character: Agamenon Flashcards
How is Agamemnon defendable in book 1?
book1
- Agamemnon has his authority and timé undermined intro of all the other Greek leaders
- he cannot back down
- Given that war prizes were a symbol of an individuals kleos
- then to have his prize, the girl Chryseis, removed as the Greek leader it’s unsurprising he wants a replacement
- they have to find a new prize to ‘make up for my loss’
How does Achilles treat Agamemnon in book 1 ?
He is insulted by Achilles repeatedly
- Achilles calls him ‘shameless’ and a ‘leader who grows fat in his own people’
- To bluntly accept this Agamemnon would admit that he is deserving of this insult which would be unheroic
- moreover an added layer of pressure of it being in front of the entire Greek assembly means that Agamemnon is borderline forced into dealing with Achilles in a harsh manner
How does Agamemnon show himself to be reasonable ?
- Although unreasonable in book 1, this stubbornness subsidies by book 9
- Agamemnon calls an assembly and is prepared to compensate Achilles
- He admits he was ‘deluded’ however he is willing to ‘make amends and give him limitless compensation’
- He offers incredibly amounts of gifts and land in compensation
- Shows a clear effort at backtracking on his past digressions
book 18 - he apologises to Achilles and makes a passionate speech on the dangers of the stubborn pride inflicted by gods using a mythological example
Is Agamemnon often taking personal accountability and not shifting the blame ?
No
- In book 19 Agamemnon blames his anger and pride on Zeus and Destiny and that his judgement was not his own
- Moreover in book 1, instead of commending Clachas the prophet for informing him of the issue plaguing the Greeks he scorns him and tells him his prophetic abilities are useless and always have been
How is Agamemnon inconsistent in his views?
book 1
- Agamemnon scorns Calchas’ information that the taking of Chryseis is the reasoning for the plague and tells him ‘prophet of evil’
- However, he seemingly goes along with exactly what Calchas told the Greeks to do and later returns Chryseis
How does Agamemnon show himself to be reasonably considerate character?
book 1
- He admits ‘I want my army alive and well, not dead or dying’
book 4
- he is considerate of Odysseus anger who is annoyed by Agamemnons attempt to spur him on
- Agamemnon responds telling him ‘may the gods scatter’ their quarrel to the winds
- It’s clear that Homer doesn’t want to characterise Agamemnon as entirely unreasonable instead he demonstrates the qualities of a leader
How is Agamemnon a poor leader ?
book 9
- he calls an assembly in the night and proposes that they return to their homes and he is recirived in silence
- The younger Diomedes then criticised him calling it a ‘stupid proposal’ and is received in uproar
- Clearly Homer contrasts the older leader of Agamemnon who demonstrates a lack of perseverance and poor leadership to the younger Diomedes
- Moreover in his plan he sends delegates and does not offer to go and see Achilles himself
book 9
- later at the news of Achilles denial of the offering Agamemnon is not the one to make a speech but instead Diomedes
- he takes charge of the assembly and advices that they eat and rest
- Homers repetition of the same event where Diomedes gains the support of those around him and reminds the Greeks of their cause- it’s clear Homer doesn’t want us to see Agamemnon as an impressive leader
How is Agamemnon described by other characters ?
book 9
- Nestor describes Agamemnon as being ‘in love with the bitter taste of internal discord’
- Moreover he goes onto say the Greeks were ‘all against it’ in Agamemnons decision
- the critique of the elder Nestor demonstrates a lack of quality to lead the Greek army and a clearly negative perception from those around him as a result of his behaviour
