Illiad assignment, 2/27

Before I begin, let me quickly state that I seem to have lost my packet, so I was using an online version, found here.

1. Write a question. It can be an interpretive question that you have an opinion on or something about the text that you don't understand. You do not need to write the answer.

What is Agamemnon trying to say in lines 115-161?


2. What was your opinion of Agamemnon before reading this section? Does your opinion of him change after reading it? Why or why not? Aone paragraph reply is fine, minimum of 6 solid setneces, but you are encouraged to write more.

At first, I thought Agamemnon was a rather hotheaded and arrogant character. In book one, even though he realized it would have been in the interest of him and his people to surrender Chriseis, he was too proud of himself and proclaimed that he would not do it until he got Briseis in return. It made me wonder how it was possible for him to be "The first among equals," for surely nobody would willingly chose a king as arrogant and self-centered as he was.

Then, after reading book 9, my opinion about him changed completely. Why? Allow me to quote Agamemnon himself: "These will I give him, and amid them shall be she that then I took away, the daughter of Briseus." He finally realizes he was wrong to take Briseis, and what's more, decides to return her. It takes a well-developed conscience to see that one of your own actions were wrong, and it takes a lot of guts to admit such a thing.


3. At various points in the text some characters attempt to persuade other characters to take a course of action. Examples of characters using persuasion include Nestor, Odysseus, and Ajax. Make a list of the persuasive strategy used by these characters, following this format:

Who is speaking?

What does that person say and to whom does he say it?

What persuasive strategy is it?

Why is it an example of that strategy?

Do this at least three times with different examples.

Remember the persuasive strategies include:

1. Appeal to reason (logic - does it “make sense” to do what the speaker says)

2. Appeal to emotion (does it try to make you happy, sad, angry etc… in an attempt to get you to act or think a certain way)

3. Appeal to ethics (right and wrong, moral principals - does it get you to think that a particular thought is morally right or wrong to get you to act or think a certain way)

Lines 17-28:
Who is speaking?
Agamemnon

What does that person say and to whom does he say it?
He tells the Greeks that they must retreat, for however much they would like to keep their honor, they cannot win.

What persuasive strategy is it?
Appeal to emotion

Why is it an example of that strategy?
He is attempting to make them feel sad for him, since he wanted glory too.

Lines 163-172
Who is speaking?
Nestor

What does that person say and to whom does he say it?
He is telling Agamemnon that it would be a good idea to send men to Achilles' house to apologize for taking Briseis.

What persuasive strategy is it?
Appeal to ethics

Why is it an example of that strategy?
He is telling Agamemnon what would be the right thing to do.

Lines 225-253
Who is speaking?
Odysseus

What does that person say and to whom does he say it?
He is telling Achilles to rejoin them, for they are on the verge of retreating

What persuasive strategy is it?
Ethics and Emotion

Why is it an example of that strategy?
He is attempting to make him feel pity for them, so that he may rejoin them

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