He does not trust his troops blindly, but tests their loyalty, as in Book 2. Agamemnon, however, remains fundamentally concerned with himself, and he has the cunning to manipulate people and situations for his own benefit. Achilles remains fiercely devoted to those who love him but devotedly vicious to those who do him harm he sees no shades of gray. He never allows the Achaeans to forget his kingly status.Īgamemnon also differs from Achilles in his appreciation of subtlety. Additionally, he insists upon leading the army, even though his younger brother Menelaus, whose wife, Helen, was stolen by Paris, possesses the real grievance against the Trojans. He always expects the largest portions of the plunder, even though he takes the fewest risks in battle. While Achilles’ pride flares up after it is injured, Agamemnon uses every opportunity to make others feel the effects of his. But Agamemnon’s pride makes him more arrogant than Achilles. When Agamemnon’s insulting demand that Achilles relinquish his war prize, Briseis, causes Achilles to withdraw angrily from battle, the suffering that results for the Greek army owes as much to Agamemnon’s stubbornness as to that of Achilles. Though not nearly as strong, he has a similarly hot temper and prideful streak. Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and commander-in-chief of the Achaean army, resembles Achilles in some respects.
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