Comarison Of Odysseus And Agamemnon As Leaders

Essay, Research Paper

The Ideal Ruler

The world depicted In Homer.s Odyssey and Aeschylus. Agamemnon was one quite remote from the modern concept. The society of archaic Greece was one based on communities of local landowners who joined together and accepted the rule of a chief landowner. Under this ruler, or basileus, the large landowners held aristocratic power and formed the head council (boule) while the families of lesser wealth were represented in the assembly, comprised of all male citizens. The purpose of this hierarchy of power was to unify the territory as well as offer representation for all its inhabitants, while allowing the reigning basileus to maintain power by giving him the final say in social, judicial, and military matters. Thus, the necessary qualifications for a basileus were with regard to this social and political system. The premier determinant was a basileus. skill in warfare. Because archaic Greek cities were in constant battle over territory and control of power, a basileus. ability to defend territory from outs

ide assault or resolve civil dispute within the poleis was of great importance. Along with his martial expertise, however, a basileus also had to be fair administrator, and a generous suppliant to his people. Therefore, the extent to which Odysseus and Agamemnon, the basilei in the Odyssey and Agamemnon respectively, are virtuous characters is in reference to their capability, or lack of it, as rulers. While Odysseus emerges as a generally .good. ruler, Agamemnon exemplifies the opposite in his shortcomings as an archaic basileus.

Leadership always carries with it the dependence of followers, but also the risks of disappointment and possible disaster. In Homer.s Odyssey, Odysseus certainly faces misfortune associated with these risks in his attempts to return home with his men after their triumphant efforts in the Trojan War. From these disasters, however, Odysseus. actions and their implications offer insight into his personality and the values that he embodies. As an appropriate hero should, Odysseus displays bravery, intelligence, astuteness and competency as well as the diplomatic skills, familiarity with his male subjects, discipline, and compassion that make him an appropriate ruler of Ithaka. Nevertheless, Odysseus is not without his faults. A lack of trust and excessive pride tend to supersede his intellectual ability and land him in many of the misfortunate situations he encounters. And it is this varying amount of positive and negative attributes in Odysseus that keep him on the edge of being an entirely model leader.

In his first appearance in the Odyssey, Odysseus exhibits both his determination to return home to Ithaka and the strategic mastery in achieving such ends. Having been marooned on Calypso.s island for seven years, enticed and provided for by the sea nymph, he nevertheless has spent his days sitting .on the rocky shore.his own heart groaning, with eyes wet scanning the bare horizon of the sea.. (Odyssey, Bk. V, 164-166) Therefore, when Odysseus is presented with the opportunity to leave in Book 5, he takes it without a moment.s hesitation. The catch, however, is that leaving Kalypso means giving up the opportunity to .stay.and guard this house, and be immortal.. (215-216) Even so, Odysseus is not swayed by this enticement. However, he cunningly perceives the delicate situation of dealing with Kalypso.s feelings and accordingly, he utilizes eloquent flattery to rectify the situation and remain in the goddess. favor. .My lady goddess, here is no cause for anger.Penelope.would seems a shade before your

majesty.. (224-226)

Thus, the image of Odysseus as a driven but insightful hero is aptly illustrated. However, as the story progresses, it becomes readily apparent in the retelling of his adventures to the Phaiakians in Books 9 through 12, that this careful dynamic has been accomplished gradually through the tribulations Odysseus has faced on his trek back from Troy. In Book 9, Odysseus displays his shrewdness but also the consequences of his overzealous pride in his recounting of the episode on the Kyklopes. island. When Odysseus and his men become trapped by the Kyklops Polyphemos, Odysseus cleverly tells him that .My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.. (Bk. IX, 396-397) So, when Polyphemos is stabbed in the eye by Odysseus and his men, he renounces assistance from his friends by stating that .Nohbdy.s tricked me, Nohbdy.s ruined me!. (l. 444), leading his companions to believe that no man has hurt him. However, once the ruler and his men reach their ships and set sail, Odysseus take

s the opportunity to taunt Polyphemos by declaring, .if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame.tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye.. (551-553) The result of Odysseus. boast, however, has further repercussions: Polyphemos implores his father Poseidon to never allow Odysseus to return home. Thus, not only does his excessive pride degrade his character, but the inability to let his ingenious actions go unrecognized dooms Odysseus and his crew to an extended and more perilous journey home–courtesy of Poseidon.

To his credit, Odysseus learns from this encounter and upon arrival on the island of the Phaiakians, he chooses not to openly boast of his journeys. Before this time, however, he learns another lesson on the