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Book 9. Notes. Balance – Begins and ends with Diomedes speech Agamemnon sheds tears Breaks down his level of heroism Overcome by the loss of prestige that will soon follow Diomedes Criticized by Agamemnon Says nothing (contrast to Achilles) Agamemnon’s gifts
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Book 9 Notes
Balance– Begins and ends with Diomedes speech • Agamemnon sheds tears • Breaks down his level of heroism • Overcome by the loss of prestige that will soon follow • Diomedes • Criticized by Agamemnon • Says nothing (contrast to Achilles) • Agamemnon’s gifts • Will not only restore Achilles’ honor/kleosbut enhance it.
Names of Ag’s daughters (translation) • “Divine right” • “Justice” • “Dominion” • Embassy • Phoenix – history, appeal to Ach’s emotions • Ajax – bravery, appeal to Ach’s sense of ideal warrior, • Odysseus – pragmatic, intelligent, appeal to Ach’s logic • Phoenix • In original version of the story?
Achilles • Playing lyre • Memorializes in song deeds he is no longer willing to perform • Odysseus speech • Appeals to Ach’s ambition/desire for honor • Time = rewards • Kleos = honor/glory • Achilles’ reply to Odysseus • Most important lines? • Questions the basis of his life • Is honor more valuable than life? • After all he has achieved, he can still have rewards taken away. • Questions heroic code
Women • Wives of defeated army = major part of booty • Trojans – goal=defend families • More sympathetic to modern audiences • Briseis • Not really Ach’s bride • Compares Ag’s forcible appropriation of her to Helen leaving with Paris • Do we admire Ach’s refusal of gifts? • Phoenix speech • Like Nestor • Three Digressions • Personal history • Parable of the Prayers • Paradigmatic example (Meleager)
Parable of Prayers • “Ruin” = Ate (madness that causes a person to offend and injure self and others) • “Prayers” = Apologies • If A offends B but apologizes, it is arrogant of B not to accept the apology (and will bring ruin) • Meleager story • Point – accept gifts and return to fighting • Cleopatra • Not the one you think • Takes on the Patroclus role (names are similar)