Week III: Achilles

JUSTICE AND THE LION-HEARTED HERO

October 7, 6:00 PM - 7:30 pm

Reading: Iliad, 1.1-492; 4.30-72, 4.153-168; 5.778-792; 9.179-431, 9.622-713, 12.290-330. Odyssey, 11.471-503

It is Achilles, as the best and bravest warrior, who would seem to have rightful claim to the title of “best of the Achaeans.” Achilles shows a lion-hearted anger at deceit, injustice, and selfishness, with a record of uncalculating generosity and devotion to his men (1.148-160, 9.321-327). Does he possess or attain a greater self-understanding than Odysseus? The Iliad opens with Achilles suffering a bitter disillusionment from his undeserved dishonor at the hands of the ruler of the Greek armies, Agamemnon. Despite the pleas of his friends, Achilles threatens to abandon the army at Troy and return home.

• Doesn’t Achilles have a duty to help his men regardless of whether he was cheated or dishonored? Do we believe Justice means only helping and dying for others—without hope of reward? Don’t we also deeply believe that the just deserve to be happy?

• What self-knowledge does Achilles gain from his dishonor and suffering? Why would awareness of his own concern for a just reward for his sacrifices lead him to despair of receiving it (9.315-322)? Why should he, a lifelong warrior, only now be troubled by death (9.320, 9.401-409)?

• Achilles has the courage to face the choice between a long life at home, and a swift death but with undying glory at Troy (9.410-416). He seems at first to choose a long life (without glory) (1.169-171, 9.356-363). At this moment, the greatest Greek hero seems to reject the heroic life! But are there signs that he will fail to stick with his resolution? Why does he reject the rewards Agamemnon offers (9.378-409, 9.696-700)—what does Achilles really need, and can any being provide it? What is the relationship between glory and justice? Can there be glory without justice, or only infamy? Can there be a genuine or complete justice without glory as eternal or divine remembrance?