Pamil, Timothy James T.

BA ELS II-B
Masuhud, Ryan U. A&H 102 Great Books

Assessment 1
Answer the following questions cogently. You may cite lines as your reference to answer the
questions.
1. Why has a plague struck the Greek camp? Why is the prophet Calchas reluctant to
explain the cause of the plague?

It was the god Apollo who caused the plague to break out in the Greek camp
(lines 10,51-61), after the request of Apollo’s priest (line 45), whose daughter was in
custody of the King Agamemnon (lines 20,30,35). The priest who brought, described as a
priceless ransom, a golden staff and wreaths of the gods, had hopes of winning his
daughter back (lines 15,20). But the king only dismissed his plea and threatened him
(lines 25,30,35). The priest, as soon as he got into a safe distance, with heavy hearts, went
on to pray to the god Apollo to avenge his loss (lines 40,45).

As for the prophet Calchas, he was reluctant to explain the cause of the plague
because he feared for his life. He knew of the reason behind Apollo’s deathly plague, and
he also knew that telling Achilles the cause would only enrage King Agamemnon (lines
90,120). Hence, Calchas asked Achilles to enter in an oath with him to save him (lines
85,90), with all of his strength, from whatever life-threatening actions the king would
inflict upon him.

2. On what condition will Agamemnon give back Chryseis? Why does Achilles take offense
at this condition?

Agamemnon, however, was willing to give back the priest’s daughter, so long as
they replaced her with another prize (line 135). A prize that would equal to what he is
about to give up (line 160). But if Argrive won’t be able to supply that, King
Agamemnon would then take any of Achilles (Briseis (line 215)), Ajax, or Odysseus’
prize (line 160). This, of course, offended Achilles because he won Briseis for himself.
He fought long and hard for her, and he cannot afford someone taking that prize away
from him (line 190).

3. How does Agamemnon intend to punish Achilles for arguing with him? Why does
Achilles accept this punishment?
 After hearing Achilles’ reviling words, Agamemnon told Achilles to desert his
army. As emphasized by the king, Achilles is nothing to him and he can take others to
give him honor in his stead. In addition to that, Agamemnon did not fail to warn Achilles
that he will be taking Briseis for his own right in front of Achilles’ eyes (lines
205,210,215,220). This voice of warning, however, further angered Achilles and was
about to draw his sword upon Agamemnon, but all of a sudden, the goddess Athena in all
her glory appeared before Achilles and told him to submit. The goddess went on to assure
Achilles of the prize that awaits him in the future but for now, he has to obey and restrain
his fury. Achilles complied (lines 245,250,255).

4. Who tries to act as mediator in dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon? Why does his
attempt fail?

Nestor. A wise old man whose words of wisdom helped heroes of his generation
such as Pirithous, Dryas, Caeneus, Exadius, Polyphemus, Theseus, and Aegeus’ boy (line
305). Nevertheless, his words of counsel (line305,310,315,320,325,330) to both
Agamemnon and Achilles failed simply because none in any of the opposing side wants
to give in to each other (lines 335,340,345,350,355). Apparently, it’s not a battle of who
gets to have the women anymore. All throughout Agamemnon and Achilles’ exchange of
threatening and vile words, it’s safe to conclude that argument has already shifted to a
battle of honor – who is greater than who, who needs who, who is nothing than who.

5. How does Achilles intend to get even with Agamemnon for seizing Briseis? Why does he
turn to his mother for help?

To get even with Agamemnon, Achilles intended to leave them unaided by the
time the armies of Agamemnon cries to him for help. He won’t anymore led and
safeguard the Achaeans from their enemies (lines 400,405). Though, for this to happen,
Achilles turned to his mother for help to persuade Zeus to help the Trojan cause. That
way, Agamemnon will see how mad he is to disgrace Achilles, the best of the Achaeans
(line 485).

6. Based on what have you read on Book 1, how would you characterise the Greek gods and
their relationship with humans?

Though constantly at war with each other in the Olympus, the Greek gods can be
loyal and loving towards their devoted humans. As said by Achilles, Apollo loved his
priest that when the priest prayed for avenge, Apollo brought in a plague. Hera, sent
Athena down from the heavens to pacify Achilles in his fury so no further damage will
 happen. Zeus gives honor to Agamemnon. The gods are quick to hear the prayers of
those who obey them (line 255).

7. Most of Homer’s characters have both strengths and weaknesses. Does Homer show
Achilles as entirely admirable?

No. In fact, Homer’s choice of words to describe Achilles were way far from
being admirable at all. It was explicitly said, through Agamemnon’s mouth that Achilles
is overweening; arrogant, presumptuous, overstepping proper bounds (line 213). He’s
also coined as the most violent man alive (line 170). And actually, manipulative. His
interaction with his mother, Thetis at the concluding part of Book 1 showed
manipulative tendencies. He knew of the thing Thetis had done once for Zeus and he
used that to get Thetis to plead for her son’s cause – that is to have Zeus help the Trojan
cause just to show Agamemnon how wrong he was for disgracing Achilles (lines 485,
490, 495, 500, 505, 510).
Assessment 2. From the sidelines: Imagine that you are a witness to the quarrel between Achilles
and Agamemnon. Write a brief account of the quarrel from that point of view. Suggest a peaceful
solution. Write a one page essay of this account.

The quarrel between King Agamemnon and Achilles only took place because none of the
two wanted to give up their prizes of war. The maiden Chryseis was prized to the king, while
Briseis for Achilles. It all started when Chryseis’ father, a priest to Apollo, went on to see the
king and demanded his daughter back. But, it only availed him nothing as the king refused to
grant the request. This refusal of the king drove the priest mad and went on to take his despair to
Apollo. The god Apollo, being loving towards the priest, heard his prayers and introduced a
plague to the Greek camp in avengement for the tears of the old man. It took nine days of many
deaths before Achilles and Agamemnon summoned the prophet Calchas to inquire of the reason
behind the deathly plague. But no later than sooner, Achilles found out that the king was the
cause of it, and only when Chryseis is returned will the god Apollo end the plague. Agamemnon,
being the king that he was, held on to his honor and spurned the idea of being without prize.
Nevertheless, for the sake of his men, the king would be willing to give Chryseis back to her
father so long as Agrives would replace her with a prize that would equal to her; a match for his
desires. But if not, then the king would take Achilles’ prize, Briseis. Of course, Achilles, also
being the person he was took offense from this condition and fought for his case.

We believe that there could not be any other way to settle the conflict between Achilles
and Agamemnon, as both of them wanted to hold on to what they think is rightfully theirs. In
fact, we would probably do the same if we were in their shoes - having such strong personalities
whose ego lies in honor, we would. But for the sake of reconciliation, we thought of what may
seem as a peaceful resolution. Since, it s nature to greeks to compete, might as well have both
parties compete for Briseis. They will be given certain tasks, missions, and quests to fulfill and
whosoever finishes first, the winner takes the maiden. We could also dive into sports. Let’s have
them compete in archery, track and field, spear throw, etc. And as silly as it sounds, the easiest
way to settle this is to just simply toss a coin and whose side is on top, the winner takes it all. But
one may think, it would not be a fair fight for the king seeing Achilles has gifts. He is a man of
strength, and it would be a guaranteed loss for Agamemnon. Now, here is where the gods will
come into play. Zeus, as seemingly already in favor with Agamemnon, would perhaps grant him
strength that would equal to Achilles. That way, it would be an equal fight between the two.
Now, it would only be a matter of whose willpower is greater that would determine the winner. It
may be difficult to whoever would lose, but at least, with this peaceful resolution, we’re hoping
that no one’s blood will be shed..