Diomedes, The Voice of Reason

     I'd like to open this little blog by saying that I am a die hard Diomedes fanboy. I live for the 'history channel replays' in which Diomedes gets to lay waste to large amounts of Trojans. For example in book V:
    "There-- he killed Astynous, then Hyphiron, a frontline captain. One he stabbed with a bronze lance above the nipple, the other his heavy sword hacked at the collarbone, right on the shoulder, cleaving the whole shoulder clear of neck and back."

This blog is not about Diomedes' strength, however. Diomedes may be famed as the 'second best warrior' (second only to Achilles) but I've also come to realize that he also plays the roll of the voice of reason. In book IX he explained that Troy is destined to fall, so it would be foolish of Agamemnon to run. He also had this to say about the 'Embassy to Achilles': 
    "Most noble son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, you ought not to have sued the son of Peleus nor offered him gifts. He is proud enough as it is, and you have encouraged him in his pride still further. Let him go or stay  as he will. He will fight later when he is in the humor, and heaven puts it in his mind to do so."

Diomedes is spot on with the last two sentences. He knows that the if the fates say Achilles will fight, he doesn't have a choice in the matter. Achilles may cling to the illusion that he can choose whether he fights or flees, but he's actually at the mercy of the fates. Our old friend Diomedes then concocts this plan of action and presents it to the council:
    "Now, therefore, let us all do as I say: we have eaten and drunk our fill, let us then take our rest, for in rest there is holy strength and stay. But when fair rosy-fingered morn appears, forthwith bring out your host and your horsemen in front of  the ships, urging them on, and yourself fighting among the foremost."

Even though Agamemnon claims that Diomedes is inferior to his father in book IV, he still respects him enough to listen to his words of wisdom and actually act on them. Which is completely out of character for Agamemnon. He usually listens to no one but himself, which only further proves that Diomedes is an eloquent, reasonable and convincing speaker. Respected and feared on the battlefield, revered and trusted in the council, Diomedes really is the perfect example of a true warrior.

In closing I would just like  to say that I wish I could be more like Diomedes. Able to conduct myself with honor, strength and strategy in a conflict, but still have logic, reason and clarity on my side. Loved by the gods, and respected by men.


Until next time,
Benjamin Folse

P.S. I commented on Callie's blog 'Who is in control (of my fate)?

The Compassion of Hektor: A Breath of Fresh Air

1)I found that reading certain parts of the Iliad can be a very numbing experience. Honestly, it was easy for me to feel completely lost during a few scenes. During book five, I started to lose sight of the fact that these warriors were actually human instead of blood-thirsty machines. There was no relief or justification for the constant suffering and death. But, in the midst of all the confusion, we see a picture of humanity with Hektor as he goes to greet his wife and infant son. In my opinion, Hektor seems to be the only noble character up to this point in the story. He is more of a reluctant warrior, and a man of peace. His selflessness and compassion towards his family was a breath of fresh air to me in this heavy part of the poem. As he removes his intimidating helmet to take his son in his arms, we see a spark of tenderness in one of the most glorious Trojan warriors. In reality, all of these fierce warriors were just people. They felt fear and pain just like everyone else. And the heart-wrenching scene with Hektor and his family, in my opinion, really shows this.

2) Although that was my main point, there is something else the really stood out to me. Being a Worship Leadership major, I can find a way to bring everything back to Christ. I believe that ultimately, every great work of art or literature points back to our God. Something that constantly stands out to me in this poem is the moodiness and petty behavior of the gods. They use the mortals as puppets, and are constantly sending destruction and death their way. Aren’t we so blessed to serve a God whose love is unconditional?

I commented on Malory's blog.

Your Culture...My Culture?

Culture. Culture affects us all. It affects everything we do. It’s why your mom taught you how to eat with a fork and knife. Her culture was taught to you when she told you to have manners at the dinner table. It affects everyday conversation. Culture gives certain decades and centuries particular themes and characteristics that make them stand out from the rest. Culture also affects social order and standards that are expected in a community of people. In Iliad, the aspiration for Kleos was a piece of culture that was engraved upon their living. All the little boys didn’t want to be fire fighters, doctors, or astronauts. They knew they were expected to be brave warriors. That’s what they all wanted to be when they “grow up.” They would make their mothers proud by being Warriors of great honor. Much like today, if someone finds you are pursuing an education, you automatically are given a certain amount of honor, by that person. Your parents are proud, and your grandma brags about you to another grandma.

Reasoning all this, I found it shocking when Achilles (lines 318- 322, book eight) went head first against the culture he had fully embraced in years past. Perhaps in his free time from war, he had space to sit and think. He turned down a great opportunity for huge honor. To him it was worthless. In this he went directly against the culture of his day. He was in a way, a rebel. Many people would disrespect him for turning down the fight. Yet, he felt strongly enough to say it in front of people he highly respected. Was this action of turning down the fight respectable or not? That’s what we discussed in class. I think this is a matter of personal opinion. But it does bring up the question: What culture is wrong, and what culture is right? What makes a culture right or wrong? Is it okay to be a rebel? When is it okay to rebel against the norm? What part of our culture is merely tradition? How does our culture affect our standards and morals? Are morals merely cultural, or is there more? What about Kleos? Was it merely cultural, or was there something more behind it too?

Anna Rhodes

P.S. I commented on Lucas' "Where There's Dark Water..."

Polytheism on the Brain, Ugh

Since classes began last week, I have noticed that three of my classes are covering some similar material and ideals. Polytheism, for example, is the most common theme discussed. Polytheism as we well know is defined as the belief in many gods. I am sure you are thinking Yes, Samantha, we know this. We are in honors English. Please bear with me; I do have a point. Well, I decided I wanted more than the Webster's definition of polytheism, so I did what any self-respecting teenager would do, I Googled "define: polytheism". I scrolled the list of many answers and found one that really struck a chord with me. It read as follows: "belief that there are many gods vying for my attention." Now I am switching gears...

So, we've been reading about these ridiculous gods and goddesses that seem to have no self-control that interfere with the lives of men in the middle of war. They confuse these men, plant ideas in their heads, redirect their arrows, and even fight with/among them. These supposed divine beings are jealous of one another, "vying" for attention if you will. They fight and bicker amongst themselves, especially with Zeus who is, in theory, in charge of it all. Yeah, whatever. They are all about the same in my opinion, but I digress.

In addition to those many gods and goddesses who are unworthy of the terms on an ethical and moral level, you have these mortal humans who worship and pray to the immortals. The thing about Ancient Greek theology is that it is all about what the mortals can do for the gods in order for the gods to do something for them. If it doesn't work out with one god, they can try their hand with another god until their desire is satisfied. In short, we've got mortal men (and women) running around searching for favor and acceptance from any and every god or goddess they can appease, attempting to fill some void in their lives. Now I am bringing it all together...

Reading Homer's song for Ilion has put a lot into perspective for me concerning our lives today. We run around, to this thing or that, trying to fill voids and desires in our own lives. We ourselves possess the same mentality of the Ancient Greeks What can that do for me? What can I get out of this? We have the same gods and goddesses they had, we just give them different names: money, travel, sex, wisdom, love, sports, music, beauty, and so on. All of these gods are vying for our attentions when only One is worthy as He is the only one who can fill a void simply because He is the all we actually need. Even knowing this, we still cling to the polytheistic chaos we have been reading about in The Iliad. I, for one, am absurdly guilty.

Take any of this as you will, but I needed it on the table. The word polytheism is attacking my daily studies, whether I am reading from The Iliad, The Western World Philosophy, The Western Experience, or the Bible. No joke. This morning I went to read from Leviticus 19 and, low and behold, verse four: "Do not turn to idols or make cast images of gods for yourselves; I am the LORD your God." Frankly, it is a tad bit frustrating to hear about polytheism every day, but I am taking it as a hint. So, thank you UM professors for drilling me with polytheism.

P.S. Commented Mallory's(:

Kleos

In Book 9, we find Achilleus sitting alone while singing and playing the lyre. This is a major contrast from the valiant warrior Achilleus in the beginning of the story. Having spent much time alone and probably in deep thought, I believe that Achilleus had been reflecting on his past and debating his future. Regardless of whether or not he had the ability to change his fate, he most likely did alot of thinking about what his life could of been--what it could of been if he never went to war; never killed a Trojan; never earned his kleos.

When Odysseus attempts to convince him to fight again, Achilleus makes a bold statement: "We are all held in a single honor, the brave with the weaklings. A man dies still if he has done nothing, as one who has done much." This statement implies that Achilleus has completely changed his view of kleos. Once he had lived for it. The battlefield was all he knew, but now he feels the reality of death. He understands that all men die no matter what they have accomplished in life. Why, then, should he die young and be remembered when he could live a long, peaceful life in obscurity? Has he really earned anything if he never lives to see it?

In my opinion, Achilleus was somewhat justified in his decision not to fight again. He had felt the pain of being disrespected by Agamemnon, the man he had spent the past nine years fighting for. He was aware of the fact that he would die if he went back to battle, and he had begun to value his life over kleos. Achilleus made the logical decision, although it may not have been the most heroic.

p.s. I commented on Rachel's post.

Who's in control (of my fate)?

Do you really have control of your future? All throughout history, people have struggled with the question of fate. In the Iliad this timeless question is woven all throughout the plot. Some characters, such as Achilles, hold on to the power to control their own fate. When Brises was taken from him, Achilles sent an appeal to 'god of gods,' in order in influence the outcome of the war. Furthermore, Achilles told the emissaries that he had 'two ways in which he may meet his end,' implying that he had a choice to determine his own fate. However, did Achilles really have the power to make a choice? Was there someone who knew what choice he would make all along? Was Achilles future, or, on an even bigger scale, the outcome of the whole Trojan War pre-determined, or did Achilles and the armies write their own destiny as they went along?

From the interactions of the gods in the beginning and middle sections of the book, a foundation for predestination is not set. Nothing suggests that the gods have always known/planned out the fate of the war. However, there are specific instances where the gods allow/influence a certain outcome to take place. For instance, Zeus listens to Thetis's appeal to allow the trojans to win. However, nothing suggests that Zeus had always intended/planned for the trojans to win. If anything, Zeus's subtle head nod and unenthusiastic response suggest otherwise. Moreover, the gods themselves act as if they can change fate. Hera and Athena make plans to aid the Achaians against Zeus' will. Their actions, despite the threat of serious consequences, suggest that even the gods are unaware of fate - like people, they can only make choices and hope that another god does not thwart their efforts.

Now, there is mention of The Fates, the supreme beings who either know or determine the fates of every person. In Homer's writing, The Fates establish some sort of order for the universe. They provide a hope for the characters that, even in all the chaos of the world, there is someone out there; someone watching out for us.

P.S. I commented on Amy's 'Today's Disscussion'

Agamemnon is wishy-washy

In book 8, Agamemnon feels like there is no hope and feels like it is time to go home. So he then prays to Zeus to let he and his men escape the battle unharmed. Agamemnon then starts to cry. Zeus takes pity on him and sends down an eagle with a fawn in its claws. The eagle puts the fawn on the alter where the Achaians make their sacrifices to the gods. When Agamemnon sees this, he turns to his men and tells them to go fight the Trojans. So what does the eagle with the fawn in its claws mean?  How could Agamemnon go from wanting to go home to wanting to fight in just a few short minutes?
Also, I thought that in this part of the book, Zeus was on Achilles' side? So why would he be kind of helping Agamemnon? But in book 9, after fighting a while, Agamemnon calls an assembly to tell his men that they should pack up and go home because Zeus has betrayed them. So was Zeus just tricking Agamemnon to keep him fighting, so hopefully he will die??
           
I commented on Alana's.