The Iliad and The Odyssey

Charles Segal writes, "In a shame-culture, like that of the society depicted in Homer, where esteem depends on how one is viewed and talked of by one's peers, kleos [heroic glory] is fundamental as a measure of one's value to others and to oneself" (Segal 127). This focus inevitably includes consideration of the conflicting notions of heroism, such as those explored in the contrast between Achilles and Odysseus in the Iliad. Clearly, in works in which a central subject is war, and performance in war a central measurement of reputation, one's physical bravery and skill in combat are closely connected to one's reputation.

The meeting between Odysseus and Achilles in the latter's tent in Book IX of Homer's The Iliad is a confrontation of very different ideas of reputation and heroism. Odysseus sees heroism in romantic terms, in terms of it

. . .
. After all, much of his pleading is aimed at the pride and material desires of Achilles--he spends much narrative time offering gifts and honors to the proud Achilles. In every case, however, the individual aspects of his pleadings are subsumed in the context of the community-oriented aspects of heroism. Odysseus offers Achilles not merely individual reputation and glory, but glory to be heaped on Achilles from the community which he will have helped deliver from the enemy, the Trojans. However, Achilles cares about nothing but himself and his own wounded pride and reputation. Achilles in this meeting--and later in the debate over whether the soldiers should fight after fasting or feasting (Homer, Iliad, Book XIX)--is a representative of the individual hero. In these confrontations, he is a careless, self-centered, proud and passionate man, compared to Odysseus, who is shown to be more concerned with heroism and reputation in the context of larger, more communal concerns, a much more thoughtful man. All he cares about is that he has not received his just due for his past heroic efforts: "I had small thanks for fighting, fighting without truce against hard enemies here. The portion's equal whether a man hangs back or fights his
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Homer Odyssey, Achilles Odysseus, Homer Iliad, Iliad Odyssey, Book XIX--is, Charles Segal, Zeus Zeus, Homer's Iliad, Trojans Odysseus, Achaeans Odysseus, heroic reputation, homer odyssey, homer iliad, heroism odysseus, reputation odysseus, moral spiritual, reputation heroism, achilles odysseus, heroism reputation, moral spiritual lessons, passions rage, human society gods, homer odyssey 305, reputation heroism odysseus, homer iliad 211,
Approximate Word count = 1945
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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