asiangenius2003
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How do you think Homer illustrates the differences between Ajax and Phoenix ( in character) during their speeches to persuade Achilles to fight again?
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The iliad, Ajax and Phoenix's attempt to persuade Achilles?
- Thread starter asiangenius2003
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Butcher Bird
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Phoenix appeals to Achilles' desire for fame or good reputation. This is the central temptation of heroic society.
Old Phoenix is a father-figure who has raised Achilles from infancy and taught him both "speech and action," the things that a warrior should say in council and do on the battlefield. Phoenix's argument to Achilles is based on heroic song, the model behavior of famous heroes of old.
According to Phoenix, heroic songs teach that heroes should relent and give over their anger when they are offered gifts and addressed with soothing words. This idea goes back to hero ritual itself, where the hero's anger is appeased through gift offerings of sacrifice and song. There's an example of such a ceremony earlier in the Iliad, when Odysseus appeases the wrath of Apollo through sacrifices and hymns. Apollo doesn't need to accept the Achaeans' food or the singing for any material reason, but evidently he accepts them to strengthen his cult. He rewards those who respect his priest Chryses.
Phoenix cites another example for Achilles, the story of the warrior Meleager. Like Achilles, Meleager became angered while his people were at war, and he withdrew from fighting. He was offered gifts to return, but he refused them. It was only as his city burned, and was about to fall, that Meleager finally changed his mind and rejoined the battle. He was moved to return to fighting, not because of any gifts but because of the tears of his beloved wife Cleopatra. (Her name has the same meaning as Achilles' tearful companion "Patroklos," though the syllables are reversed: both names mean "fame of the fathers" or "glory of the fathers.") Achilles rejects heroism. He knows that if he accepts the gifts and fair words from the Achaeans, he will be famous, but he also will be dead. That's not the honor that he wants. Besides, why should he die to save Agamemnon's life? (Agamemnon is such a snake.) Achilles rejects Phoenix's idea angrily.
Ajax, son of Telemon, appeals to friendship and camaraderie. This temptation is pure peer pressure. Ajax vies with Odysseus as the best of the Achaean warriors at Troy, after Achilles. Unlike Odysseus and Phoenix, Ajax is a plain-spoken man of few words. For him, the whole issue is simply a matter of affection. The Achaeans are asking for Achilles to show his friendship and comradeship, but Achilles is being hard-hearted in rejecting them, all because of a silly quarrel over a girl. Should Achilles let his friends die when he has power to save them?
Achilles appreciates what Ajax has to say to him, but he will not give up his anger yet. Achilles foresees a time to enter the fight later, but only when Hektor attacks his camp. The Myrmidon tents and ships are Achilles' city; the Myrmidons from back home in Phthia are his only comrades. Achilles does not have broader allegiances to the Achaeans generally. Odysseus and Ajax return to Agamemnon with great disappointment. Phoenix remains with Achilles in his tent for the night, perhaps to sail home with Achilles in the morning. Achilles isn't sure what he's going to do. There are no good answers. None of the options look good.
Old Phoenix is a father-figure who has raised Achilles from infancy and taught him both "speech and action," the things that a warrior should say in council and do on the battlefield. Phoenix's argument to Achilles is based on heroic song, the model behavior of famous heroes of old.
According to Phoenix, heroic songs teach that heroes should relent and give over their anger when they are offered gifts and addressed with soothing words. This idea goes back to hero ritual itself, where the hero's anger is appeased through gift offerings of sacrifice and song. There's an example of such a ceremony earlier in the Iliad, when Odysseus appeases the wrath of Apollo through sacrifices and hymns. Apollo doesn't need to accept the Achaeans' food or the singing for any material reason, but evidently he accepts them to strengthen his cult. He rewards those who respect his priest Chryses.
Phoenix cites another example for Achilles, the story of the warrior Meleager. Like Achilles, Meleager became angered while his people were at war, and he withdrew from fighting. He was offered gifts to return, but he refused them. It was only as his city burned, and was about to fall, that Meleager finally changed his mind and rejoined the battle. He was moved to return to fighting, not because of any gifts but because of the tears of his beloved wife Cleopatra. (Her name has the same meaning as Achilles' tearful companion "Patroklos," though the syllables are reversed: both names mean "fame of the fathers" or "glory of the fathers.") Achilles rejects heroism. He knows that if he accepts the gifts and fair words from the Achaeans, he will be famous, but he also will be dead. That's not the honor that he wants. Besides, why should he die to save Agamemnon's life? (Agamemnon is such a snake.) Achilles rejects Phoenix's idea angrily.
Ajax, son of Telemon, appeals to friendship and camaraderie. This temptation is pure peer pressure. Ajax vies with Odysseus as the best of the Achaean warriors at Troy, after Achilles. Unlike Odysseus and Phoenix, Ajax is a plain-spoken man of few words. For him, the whole issue is simply a matter of affection. The Achaeans are asking for Achilles to show his friendship and comradeship, but Achilles is being hard-hearted in rejecting them, all because of a silly quarrel over a girl. Should Achilles let his friends die when he has power to save them?
Achilles appreciates what Ajax has to say to him, but he will not give up his anger yet. Achilles foresees a time to enter the fight later, but only when Hektor attacks his camp. The Myrmidon tents and ships are Achilles' city; the Myrmidons from back home in Phthia are his only comrades. Achilles does not have broader allegiances to the Achaeans generally. Odysseus and Ajax return to Agamemnon with great disappointment. Phoenix remains with Achilles in his tent for the night, perhaps to sail home with Achilles in the morning. Achilles isn't sure what he's going to do. There are no good answers. None of the options look good.