Achilles' Anger: Demand for Briseis' Release - Essay Sample

Introduction

Achilles began his argument with Lord Agamemnon in an attempt to try and get Briseis released (Kline, 2015). "The great son of Atreus, covetous as ever, how can the courageous Acheans get a prize? What wealth is there in common, now that we have shared our plunder from the cities which cannot be reclaimed? Give up the girl, as the god demands, and we Acheans will reimburse you, three or four times over if Zeus ever lets us sack high-walled Troy (Kline, 2015)."

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Achilles wears an angry look and responds to Agamemnon's demands in the following way (Kline, 2015). "Why, you shameless conniver, why should any Achaean leap to obey your orders to march or wage war? (Kline, 2015). No squabble with Trojan spearmen brought me her to participate in war: they have not done anything wrong (Kline, 2015). They have not stolen not even a cow or horse of mine, nor have my crops been ravaged in deep-soiled Phthia, nurturer of men, since the shadowy mountains and the reverberating sea lie between us (Kline, 2015). No, for your pleasure, you shameless mongrel, we approached to try and win recompense, for you and Menelaus, from the Trojans (Kline, 2015). And you neither see nor give a damn, and even threaten to rob me of my prize, given by the sons of Achaean, a reward for which I worked hard for (Kline, 2015). When the Achaeans live in some wealthy Trojan suburban, is it not who I win the prize (Kline, 2015). My hands bear the brunt of the bravest fight, however, when the wealth is shared, you get a greater portion, while I end up weary with battle, to the ships with some small fraction (Kline, 2015). Therefore, from now I am for Phthia since it is better to lead my beaked ship home than tolerate your greed and dishonesty (Kline, 2015)."

Achilles was found seated by his black ship, and it gave him no pleasure to see the heralds of Agamemnon who came to seize the girls as per the orders (Kline, 2015). "Achilles orders his men to hand over Briseis to the Agamemnon heralds, then withdraws from his men, weeping and sat by the shore of the grey sea, gazing at the shadowy deep; and stretching out his arms, passionately prayed to his dear mother (Kline, 2015)." "Since you conceived me to but a brief life span, Mother, surely Olympian Zeus the Thunderer ought to give me honor; but he grants me none at all. I am disgraced indeed, by that son of Atreus, imperious Agamemnon, who in his arrogance has seized and held my prize (Kline, 2015)."

Agamemnon Point of View

Agamemnon answered back to Achilles: "You may be courageous, godlike Achilles, but don't dare to trick me with your shrewdness. You will not outsmart me or cajole me. Do you think, because you demand I return Briseis, that I will sit here without a prize you intend to keep (Kline, 2015)? Let the strong-willed Achaeans seek a prize, one that is to my preference, so the exchange becomes equal. If not, then I myself will take your prize, and secure that of Ajax or Odysseus (Kline, 2015). Whoever it is he will be angered. However, we can ponder all of that later; for now, let us introduce a black ship on the shining sea, crew her, and gather creatures for sacrifice and this fair-faced daughter of Chryses (Kline, 2015). One of our counselors can go as captain, Ajax, Idomeneus, noble Odysseus or you, son of Peleus, you the most formidable of men, and make the sacrifice and appease far striking Apollo (Kline, 2015)."

After receiving a stern response from the Angry Achilles, Agamemnon answered him back: "Leave, if your heart demands it; I will not plead for you to stay on my perspective (Kline, 2015). Others, who are willing to obey me, will remain with me: Zeus, above all, the Lord of Counsel (Kline, 2015). Above all the god-beloved princes here you are the most abhorrent to me, since the war, contention, strife is dear to you. If you are the greatest soldier, well it was some god I presume who granted you the power (Kline, 2015). Go home, with your ships and men, and lord it orders the Myrmidons: I do not care for you or your rage (Kline, 2015). And this is my threat; after Phoebus Apollo takes my daughter, he will have to return both my ship and crew, however, I will pay your quarters a visit myself and seize Briseis, so that you may realize the wrath of my power (Kline, 2015)."

Ethos

In The Illiad, the aspect of ethos is illustrated by looking closely at Hector. He is a modest, moral and loyal person who always puts the needs of the society over his (Frobish, 2003). It is the contrary to the case of his sibling, Paris. In the battle, he wards off may aggressors, fighting bravely for his nation as a sign of patriotism (Leaf & Bayfield, 1923). He fights to safeguard the ones he cares for at his nation. During the period of war, Hector gets himself in a situation where he is ignored by his brother, who is self-centered (Kline, 2015). Knowing that his sibling is lackadaisical he tries hard to bring him into doing the right thing. Achilles is self-centered, and he has a god-like character that makes him view others as lesser beings (Leaf & Bayfield, 1923).

Pathos

Pathos is the aspect of passion or sadness in a literature book. Pathos is illustrated clearly in the Illiad book. Since Achilles is a leader of his own tribe, he is furious with resentment at the loss of face inflicted on him by Agamemnon, particularly after seeing Brisels seized, despite the good things Achilles has done (Haines, 2005). Achilles is also furious with grief at the loss of loving friendship inflicted on him by Hector who kills Patroclus, his best friend since childhood (Haines, 2005).

Logos

Logos suggests an appeal to logic and reasoning. In the book, Odysseus initially tries this when he lists all the gifts that Agamemnon wanted to give Achilles if he came back (Ezike, 2017). To Odysseus, and anyone else in the current world, it is practical that people do receive gifts in exchange for the help rendered (Ezike, 2017). Ajax also attempts the line of thought that Dr. Sandridge called "a blood price: a person who had lost a child would accept material possessions as a price for the deceased child. Therefore, Achilles should accept material gifts for losing his honor (Ezike, 2017).

References

Ezike, A. (2017). The Iliad of Homer (Journal 3). Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@amogeezike/the-iliad-of-homer-journal-3-158be496087c

Frobish, T. S. (2003). An Origin of a Theory: A Comparison of Ethos in the Homeric Iliad with that Found in Aristotle's Rhetoric. Rhetoric Review, 22(1), 16-30. Retrieved from: http://www.24grammata.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/homer-24grammata.com_.pdf

Haines, S. (2005). Homer: Passion in the Iliad. In Poetry and Philosophy from Homer to Rousseau (pp. 1-16). Palgrave Macmillan, London. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057%2F9780230502772_1

Kline, A.S. (2015). The Iliad Book 1. Retrieved from: http://images.pcmac.org/SiSFiles/Schools/PA/GreenvilleArea/GreenvilleJrSrHigh/Uploads/DocumentsSubCategories/Documents/Iliad_Book_1_text.pdf

Leaf, W., & Bayfield, M. A. (Eds.). (1923). The Iliad of Homer (Vol. 1). Planet e-books. Retrieved from: https://www.planetebook.com/free-ebooks/the-iliad.pdf