Theme: Reconciliation

Question 1

Why is reconciliation an important theme?

Answer 1

structure - delaying the cathartic moment of acceptance

reveals elements of heroic way of life and to that extent the heroic code

Showcased on different levels of reconciliation
- formal reconciliation= reunion and re-establishing of the status
- Minor reconciliation’s some of which fail

Question 2

What are the two key examples of formal reconciliation?

Answer 2

Bk.19

• Achilles and Agamemnon: functional / formal / circumstantial (Not motivated to make amends but to kill Hector)
• greater focus on ritual and formality and everybody having what is needed to move forward
• “All the Greek were gathered together”- public
• Agg: promises “immense compensation” inc return of Briseis and, if Ach waits before going to battle, his men will fetch gifts from his ship (heavily compensated)
• informs our understanding of time’s importance and heroic identity and reconciliation being a way to maintain status and dignity in a cohesive way

Bk.24

• We see a completely different form of reconciliation in the supplication of Priam to Achilles
• Emotional connection over human vulnerability and fragility as well as the undertones of family (Priam lost son, Ach knows his father shall die and has lost close friend/ son type relation)
• Priam kisses the “terrible, man slaying hands”, Priam weeps for Hect whilst Ach weeps for both Patr and his father
• Ach personal dedication, he lifts Hect onto the bier and makes sure Priam does not see the body
• separate from the formal elements / exchange of gifts reparations ( gifts are a peripheral element
• Here it is a personal acceptance and genuine sympathy driving reconciliation rather than a necessary public display of unity (private setting, not an assembly)

Question 3

What are some personal examples of minor reconciliation which inform our understanding of the complexities of the heroic code?

Answer 3

Personal examples -

Both Hector and Achilles both having moments of personal reconciliation with their respective fates

Bk.23 Funeral games to Patroclus Achilles cuts off a lock of his hair as a way of almost conducting his own reconciliation with his fate

• Context: had grown out his his in dedication for the River Spercheus which he would offer with fifty rams upon his return
• However, Achilles acknoledges he shall never return (glimpse into his acceptance and reconcillation with his fate)

Bk.6

• Hector retreats into Troy to get the Trojan women to make offerings to Athene but meets with Andromache in the process
• the reconciliation moment where Hector speaks to Andromache and says that duty / family / fate - needs to be personally accepted.
• Hector reconciles with his fate seems at peace with the knowledge “the day is coming sacred Ilium will be destroyed” and that he cannot escape his own death

Question 4

Why is Bk.9 important for reconciliation ?

Answer 4

**Bk.9 **

• Informs us at the importance of heroes ego is all important
• It has to be right, it has to be sufficient to allow the community to be reunited with no sense of loss - are we supposed to judge Achilles?
• Phoenix’s speech in which he recounts the Meleager story illustrates the possibility of the consequences of taking things to extremes
• Achilles as being a character on the edge
• Felix Martin: uniquely aloof, prevents him from seeing and understanding the communal benefits of Greek unity and the impact his return will have

Question 5

Why is the Diomedes and Glaucus story important for reconciliation ?

Answer 5

Bk.6 Dio and the Lycian hero Glaucus

• Reveals the greater pull of dynastic xenia and its significance
• Glaucus’ grandfather Bellerophon was entertained in the house of Diomedes’ grandfather Oeneus (20 days + exchanged gifts of xenia)
• Thus, the pair reconcile with the dynastic link of xenia and agree to a non aggression pact whilst exchanging each other’s armour
• Diomedes gets the gold armour of Glaucus who gets Dio Bronze armour
• Significance: even in war and there is means to reconcile enemies on the battlefield through the social code of ancient Greece

Question 6

What would your conclusion be ?

Answer 6

reconciliation galvanises mortal relationships to not only their intimates but to their own fates