Achilles vs Agamemnon: The Greed-Driven Conflict - Essay Sample

Introduction

The argument between Achilles and Agamemnon emanates as a result of Agamemnon's selfish reasons. Agamemnon feels superior to Achilles and his desire to receive more even if it is not rightful creates a conflict (Kline, 2015). The conflict is between leaders who view each other based on status. Achilles calls Agamemnon a greedy man and emphasizes that he will not be given any more gifts; this leads to another demand, Briseis, Achilles' princess who he had captured early in the war before the start of events in The Iliad. Given that Agamemnon had been requested to return Chryseis, a priest of the sun god Apollo, he seems to be a bully that mistreats other people (Leaf & Bayfield, 1923). He questions the Acheans for competing with him and tells them that they should not get a prize. He says that there is shared wealth between them since they had shared plunder from the cities, which cannot be reclaimed. As a hero and powerful King, he only logical reasoning he has to share is an advice to give up on the girl, Briseis; this makes Achilles angry (Leaf & Bayfield, 1923). He is filled with confusion, gets enraged because at this moment, he experiences a difficult time in regard to decision making. There is a viable possibility that he can draw his sword and kill Agamemnon and at the same time, he can restrain his anger, control himself, and argue with him so as to make the consequences clear. Achilles decides to discuss the matter with Agamemnon. He asks why any Achaean would rather obey orders so as to march the wage war. Achilles even explains how he participated in the war without wronging the Trojan spearmen (Kline, 2015). A conflict develops between the two leaders due to the fact that Achilles is honest with his work while on the other hand Agamemnon is filled with greedy desires; he even wants to eat the greatest share. Achilles directs all the criticisms to Agamemnon something that makes Agamemnon get angry with him. Achilles ends his relationship with Agamemnon and says that he will partner with the Phthia other than collaborating with Greeks under the greedy Agamemnon (Frobish, 2003). Achilles and Agamemnon continue to fight with angering words and this forces Achilles to march off his ships and tents. In response, Agamemnon as a state commander instructs the heralds to take Briseis away from Achilles. He even promises fateful consequences to Achilles for not obeying his orders. However, Achilles willingly withdrew from the fight, sat at the shore of the sea and started praying to his dear mother.

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Agamemnon Argument With Achilles

The conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles rests on the surface over a Maiden. A disagreement began because Achilles did not want to obey the order of Agamemnon, who sees himself as more powerful than any other person. Agamemnon had inherited the role of the King through his father and he also wants to control the expedition to Troy (Ezike, 2017). Even though the dispute over a woman is the main reason for their disagreement, it seems that the mindset for the conflict is rooted in the views on power, pride, honor, and glory. Agamemnon and Achilles have a smart but different mentality when it comes to differentiating between right and wrong. Agamemnon believes that he should be treated with honor and even receive more prize because he is more superior. On the other hand, Achilles wants fairness not only with his share but to other people. The differences between the two leaders create a conflict, which made Agamemnon respond 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" (Kline, 2015). Agamemnon ignores the fact that Achilles is asking for what he had rightfully earned and felt that he should get Briseis, a woman that Achilles got for the honor after fighting in the war. At the same time, Agamemnon against Achilles' opinion because he feels that he has encountered someone who is a threat (Haines, 2005). He wants to show Achilles that he is a powerful leader over the Greeks. Nonetheless, Achilles asserted that he loved Briseis but from the conflict, it appears that Achilles was concerned about the insult of honor in that his concern was more directed to respect as a leader and king other than loss of the girl. Agamemnon declares that he is more kingly than Achilles and therefore, Achilles should submit to him; this angered Achilles. Agamemnon directs Achilles to leave if he is not comfortable with his demands. He even says that he will not beg Achilles to stay since there are other people are willing to obey him, particularly the Zeus (Ezike, 2017). Agamemnon is amused by the fact that Achilles is declining his request and recounts events from when the war had started. He tells Achilles that he is the most abhorrent person he has ever met and instructs him to leave with his ships. In addition, he reminds him how the Phoebus Apollo took his concubine and promises to send his men to visit him and capture Briseis the same way.

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