Oratory In The Iliad

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Recommended: Character of Achilles

In Book 9 of the Iliad by the epic poet, Homer, there is an ___ example of Greek oratory. Achilles, the prized fighter of the Argives, has pulled himself and his men out of the war because Achilles feels that he has been cheated by the lord of men, Agamemnon. Agamemnon realizes he has alienated the man who is his only hope for winning the war, and sends three ambassadors to try to bring Pelides back to the fight. The ambassadors are Odysseus, the tactician, Phoenix, an old mentor of Achilles, and Great Ajax, one of Achilles brothers in arms. In this book, by paying attention to what the ambassadors say and what Achilles says in response, the ambassadors try to persuade and prove that Achilles should come back, and Achilles proves shows how much …show more content…

Odysseus is the first of the ambassadors to present his case. The Tactician does not give a strong ethical appeal, but Achilles knows the son of Laertes which makes an ethical appeal superfluous. Odysseus does, however, appeal to Achilles’ father, Peleus. Odysseus, in lines 306 to 315 recounts what Peleus told Achilles before they sailed for Troy, mainly that Achilles should “hold in check his proud, fiery spirit” and that he should value friendship over pride (9.306-315). Odysseus plays the adult reminding a young child of their parents’ instructions, appealing to an authority figure that the child should respect and obey. All of the kings and captains have come to the correct conclusion that Achilles is to blame for the slaughter of the Achaeans. And Odysseus points out that the Greeks are dying in droves. Yet, the son of Laertes does not just remind Achilles of the deaths of Achaeans, he also flatters the Myrmidon leader. Consistently, Odysseus compares Achilles

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