Students are currently working on the following assignment in class:
The Iliad
Book 1
“The Rage of Achilles”
20pts
What are the different layers of the conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles? How is Agamemnon forced to take the action he does relative to Achilles, and how is Achilles forced to respond as he does? How would each character’s actions be viewed today? Who do you support and why?
Respond to both Achilles and his mother Thetis as they are presented in this section. Explain what they do and also how this affects your opinion of them.
Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—that murderous anger which condemned Achaeansto countless agonies and threw many warrior soulsdeep into Hades, leaving their dead bodiescarrion food for dogs and birds—all in fulfillment of the will of Zeus.
Start at the point where Agamemnon, son of Atreus,that king of men, quarreled with noble Achilles.Which of the gods incited these two men to fight?
That god was Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto. 10Angry with Agamemnon, he cast plague down [10]onto the troops—deadly infectious evil.For Agamemnon had dishonoured the god's priest,Chryses, who'd come to the ships to find his daughter,Chryseis, bringing with him a huge ransom.In his hand he held up on a golden staffthe scarf sacred to archer god Apollo.He begged Achaeans, above all the army's leaders,the two sons of Atreus:
"Menelaus, Agamemnon, sons of Atreus, 20all you well-armed Achaeans, may the gods on Olympus grant you wipe out Priam's city,and then return home safe and sound.Release my dear child to me. Take this ransom. [20]Honour Apollo, far-shooting son of Zeus."
All the Achaeans roared out their support:
"Respect the priest. Take the generous ransom."
Displeased, Agamemnon dismissed Chryses roughly—
"Old man,don't let me catch you by our hollow ships, sneaking back here today or later on. 30Who cares about Apollo's scarf and staff? I'll not release the girl to you, no, not beforeshe's grown old with me in Argos, far from home, [30]working the loom, sharing my bed. Go away. If you want to get home safely, don't anger me."
For nine days Apollo rained death down upon the troops. On the tenth, Achilles summoned an assembly.White-armed Hera put that thought into his mind,concerned for the Danaans, seeing them die. 60The men gathered. The meeting came to order. Swift-footed Achilles rose to speak:
"Son of Atreus,I fear we're being beaten back, forced home,if we aren't all going to be destroyed right here, [60]with war and plague killing off Achaeans. Come now, let's ask some prophet, priest,interpreter of dreams—for dreams, too, come from Zeus—a man who might say why Apollo is so angry, whether he faults our prayers and offerings, whether somehow he'll welcome sacrificial smoke 70from perfect lambs and goats, then rouse himself and release us from this plague."
Encouraged, the wise prophet then declared:
"Apollo does not fault us for prayers or offerings, but for his priest, disgraced by Agamemnon, who did not free his daughter and take ransom. 100 That's why the archer god has brought disaster, and will bring still more. He won't remove this wretched plague from the Danaans,until we hand back bright-eyed Chryseis,give her to her beloved father, freely, without ransom, and offer holy sacrifice to Chryse. If we will carry out all that,we may change Apollo's mind, appease him." [100]
So he spoke and sat back down. Then, Atreus' son,wide-ruling, mighty Agamemnon, stood up before them, 110 incensed, spirit filled with huge black rage. Eyes blazing fire, he rounded first on Calchas:
"Prophet of evil, when have you ever saidgood things to me? You love to predict the worst,always the worst! You never show good news. Now, in prophecy to the Danaans, you say archer Apollo brings us pain [110]because I was unwilling to acceptfine ransom for Chryses' daughter, Chryseis.But I have a great desire to take her home. 120In fact, I want her more than Clytaemnestra, the wife I married. Chryseis is just as good in her shape, physique, intelligence, or work.Still, I'm prepared to give her back, if that's best.I want the people safe, not all killed off.But then you'll owe me another prize.I won't be the only Argive left without a gift. That would be entirely unfair to me. You all can see my spoils are going elsewhere." [120]
At that point, swift-footed Achilles answered the king: 130
"Noble son of Atreus, most acquisitive of men, how can brave Achaeans give you a prize now? There are none left for us to pass around. We've divided up what we allotted, loot from captured towns we devastated.For men to make a common pile againwould be most unfair. Send the girl back now, as the god demands. Should Zeus ever grantwe pillage Troy, a city rich in goods,we'll give you three or four times as much." 140
Mighty Agamemnon then said in reply: [130]
"Achilles, you're a fine man, like a god.But don't conceal what's in your heart.You'll not trick me or win me with your words.You intend to keep your prizes for yourself, while the army takes my trophy from me. That's why you tell me to give Chryseis back.Let Achaeans give me another prize, equal in value, something I'll enjoy. If not, then I'll take a prize myself by force, 150something from you or Ajax or Odysseus. The man I visit is going to be enraged. But let's postpone discussion of all this. [140]Let's drag a black ship to the sacred sea,select a crew, load oxen on for sacrifice, and Chryseis, that fair-complexioned girl. Let's have as leader some wise counselor—Idomeneus, Ajax, godlike Odysseus, or you, Peleus's son, most eminent of all,so with a sacrifice we may appease 160the god who shoots from far away."
Scowling grimly, swift-footed Achilles interposed:
"You insatiable creature, quite shameless.How can any Achaean obey you willingly— [150]join a raiding party or keep fightingwith full force against an enemy?I didn't come to battle over herebecause of Trojans. I have no fight with them.They never stole my bulls or horsesor razed my crops in fertile Phthia, 170where heroes grow. Many shady mountains and the roaring sea stand there between us. But you, great shameless man, we came with you,to please you, to win honour from the Trojans—for you, dog face, and for Menelaus.You don't consider this, don't think at all. [160]You threaten now to confiscate the prizeI worked so hard for, gift from Achaea's sons.When we Achaeans loot some well-built Trojan town, my prizes never match the ones you get. 180The major share of war's fury rests on me. But when we hand around the battle spoils,you get much larger trophies. Worn out in war,I reach my ships with something fine but small.So I'll return home now to Phthia.It's far better to sail back in my curved ships. [170]I don't fancy staying here unvalued,to pile up riches, treasures just for you."
To that, Agamemnon, king of men, shot back:
"Fly off home then, if that's your heart's desire. 190I'll not beg you to stay on my account. I have others around to honour me,especially all-wise Zeus himself. Of all the kings Zeus cherishes, it's youI hate the most. You love constant strife—war and combat. So what if you're strong?Some god gave you that. So scurry off home.Take ships and friends. Go rule your Myrmidons. [180]I don't like you or care about your rage.But I'll make this threat: I'll take your prize, 200fair-cheeked Briseis. I'll fetch her in person. You'll see just how much I'm the better man.And others will hate to speak to me as peers, in public claiming full equality with me."
As Agamemnon spoke, Peleus' son, Achilles,was overwhelmed with anguish, heart torn two ways,debating in his shaggy chest what he should do: Should he draw out the sharp sword on his thigh, [190]incite the crowd, kill Atreus' son, or suppress his rage, control his fury? As he argued in his mind and heart, 210he slid his huge sword part way from its sheath. At that moment, Athena came down from heaven.White-armed Hera sent her. She cherished both men,cared for them equally. Athena stood behind Achilles, grabbed him by his golden hair, invisible to all except Achilles. In astonishment he turned.At once he recognized Pallas Athena, the dreadful glitter in her eyes. Achilles spoke— [200]his words had wings.
"Child of aegis-bearing Zeus,why have you come now? Do you wish to see 220how overbearing Agamemnon is?I'll tell you where all this is going to lead:that arrogance will soon cost him his life."
Glittery-eyed Athena then spoke in reply:
"I came down from heaven to curb your passion,if you obey. White-armed Hera sent me. She loves you both alike, cares equally. Give up this quarrel. Don't draw your sword. [210]Fight him with words, so he becomes disgraced.For I say to you, and this will happen, 230because of Agamemnon's arrogance some day gifts three times greater than this girlwill be set down before you. Control yourself. Obey."
Swift-footed Achilles answered Athena:
"Goddess, men should follow your instructions,though angry in their hearts. It's better so. The person who's obedient to the gods, the gods attend to all the more."
Obeying Athena's words,Achilles relaxed his huge fist on the silver hilt and pushed the massive sword back in its scabbard. 240 [220]Athena then returned to heaven, home of Zeus, who bears the aegis, and the other gods.
Achilles turned again on Agamemnon, Atreus' son, with harsh abuse, his anger still unabated:
"You drunken sot, dog-eyed, deer-timid coward,You're never strong enough within yourself to arm for war alongside other comrades, or venture with Achaea's bravest on a raid.To you that smells too much like death. No. You'd much prefer to stroll around 250throughout the wide Achaean army, to grab gifts from a man who speaks against you. [230]A king who gorges on his own people!You lord it over worthless men. If not,son of Atreus, this would be your last offence.I'll tell you, swear a great oath on this point, by this sceptre, which will never sprout leaves and shoots again, since first ripped awayfrom its mountain stump, nor bloom any more, now that bronze has sliced off leaf and bark. 260 This sceptre Achaea's sons take in hand whenever they do justice in Zeus' name.An oath on this has power. On this I swear—the time will come when Achaea's sonsall miss Achilles, a time when, in distress, [240]you'll lack my help, a time when Hector,that man killer, destroys many warriors.Then grief will tear your hearts apart,because you shamed Achaea's finest man."
So the son of Peleus spoke, throwing to the ground 270 the sceptre with the golden studs. Then he sat down, directly facing furious Agamemnon.
Achilles then, in tears, withdrew from his companions, sat by the shore, staring at the wide gray seas. Stretching out his hands, [350]he cried aloud, praying repeatedly to Thetis,his beloved mother.
"Mother, since you gave me life— 390if only for a while—Olympian Zeus, high thunderer, should give me due honour. But he doesn't grant me even slight respect. For wide-ruling Agamemnon, Atreus' son, has shamed me, has taken away my prize, appropriated it for his own use."
As he said this, he wept.His noble mother heard him from deep within the sea,where she sat by her old father. Quickly she rose up,moving above gray waters, like an ocean mist, and settled down before him, as he wept. She stroked him, 400 [360]then said::
"My child, why these tears? What sorrows weigh down your heart? Tell me, so we'll both know.Don't hide from me what's on your mind."
With a deep groan, swift-footed Achilles then replied.
"You know. Why should I tell you what you know? We came to Thebe, Eëtion's sacred city,sacked it, taking everything the city had.Achaea's sons apportioned it all fairlyamongst themselves. Agamemnon's sharewas fair-skinned Chryseis. Then Chryses arrived 410 [370]at the swift ships of bronze-armed Achaeans. Archer god Apollo's priest sought out his daughter. He brought with him an enormous ransom, carried in his hands the sacred golden staffwith the shawl of archer god Apollo.He begged Achaeans, above all Atreus' two sons,the people's leaders. All Achaeans called on themto respect the priest, accept the splendid ransom. But that didn't please Agamemnon in his heart. He sent him roughly off with harsh abusive orders. 420The old man went away again, enraged. [380]He prayed to Apollo, who loved him well. The god heard him and sent his deadly arrows against the Argives. The troops kept dying,one by one, as the god rained arrows downthroughout the wide Achaean army.The prophet Calchas, understanding all,told us Apollo's will. At once I was the firstto recommend we all appease the god.But anger got control of Agamemnon. 430He stood up on the spot and made that threat which he's just carried out. So quick-eyed Achaeans are sending Chryseis in fast ships back to Chryse, [390]transporting gifts for lord Apollo, and heralds cameto take away Briseis from my huts,the girl who is my gift from Achaea's sons.So now, if you can, protect your son.Go to Mount Olympus, implore Zeus,if ever you in word or deed have pleased him.For often I have heard you boast in father's house 440that you alone of all the deathless gods saved Zeus of the dark clouds from disgraceful ruin, when other Olympians came to tie him up, Hera, Pallas Athena, and Poseidon. [400]But you, goddess, came and set him free, by quickly calling up to high Olympus that hundred-handed monster gods call Briareos, and men all name Aigaion, a creaturewhose strength was greater than his father's.He sat down beside the son of Cronos, 450exulting in his glory. The sacred gods, afraid, stopped tying up Zeus. So sit down right by Zeus, clasp his knee, remind him of all that, so he'll want to help the Trojans somehow,corner Achaeans by the sea, by their ships' prows, have them destroyed, so they all enjoy their king, [410]so the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, himself may see his foolishness, dishonouringAchilles, the best of the Achaeans."
Thetis, shedding tears, answered her son, Achilles: 460
"Oh my child, why did I rear you, since I brought you up to so much pain? Would you were safely by your ships dry-eyed.Your life is fated to be short—you'll not live long.Now, faced with a quick doom, you're in distress,more so than any other man. At home,I gave you life marked by an evil fate. But I'll tell these things to thunder-loving Zeus. I'll go myself to snow-topped Mount Olympus, [420]to see if he will undertake all this. 470Meanwhile, you should sit by your swift ships, angry at Achaeans. Take no part in war. For yesterday Zeus went to Oceanus,to banquet with the worthy Ethiopians. The gods all journeyed with him. In twelve days,when he returns and comes home to Olympus,I'll go to Zeus' bronze-floored house, clasp his knee.I think I'll get him to consent."
Twelve days later, the company of gods came back 550together to Olympus, with Zeus in the lead. Thetis did not forget the promise to her son. She rose up through the ocean waves at daybreak, then moved high up to great Olympus. She found Zeus,wide-seeing son of Cronos, some distance from the rest,seated on the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus.She sat down right in front of him. With her left hand, [500]she clutched his knees, with her right she cupped his chin,in supplication to lord Zeus, son of Cronos:
"Father Zeus, if, among the deathless gods, 560I've ever served you well in word or deed, then grant my prayer will be fulfilled.Bring honour to my son, who, of all men will be fate's quickest victim. For just now,Agamemnon, king of men, has shamed him.He seized his prize, robbing him in person,and kept it for himself. But honour him,Zeus, all-wise Olympian. Give the Trojansthe upper hand, until Achaeans respect my son,until they multiply his honours." 570 [510]
Thetis finished. Cloud gatherer Zeus did not respond. He sat a long time silent. Thetis held his knees, clinging close, repeating her request once more:
"Promise me truly, nod your head, or deny me—since there's nothing here for you to fear—so I'll clearly see how among all godsI enjoy the least respect."
