Agamemnon: The Prideful King of The Iliad | Character Analysis

Summary

Agamemnon, the King of Mycenae and leader of the Achaean army, shares key traits with Achilles, including fiery temper and stubborn pride. However, while Achilles acts on raw emotion, Agamemnon's pride is constant and more calculating. His decisions, such as demanding Achilles' war prize, spark feuds and bring suffering to the Greek army. Unlike Achilles, who is fiercely loyal and merciless to his enemies, Agamemnon manipulates others to assert his power. Homer portrays Agamemnon in a negative light, emphasizing his selfish and strategic nature, making it difficult for readers to sympathize with him compared to Achilles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Agamemnon shares traits with Achilles, particularly a fiery temper and stubborn pride, although he's not as strong.
• 😀 Agamemnon's demand for Achilles to give up his war prize, Briseis, sparks a feud that causes Achilles to leave the battle.
• 😀 The feud between Agamemnon and Achilles brings great suffering to the Greek army, making Agamemnon just as responsible as Achilles for their troubles.
• 😀 While Achilles' pride is driven by anger, Agamemnon's pride is constant, used to assert his power over others.
• 😀 Agamemnon claims the best spoils of war, despite taking fewer risks in battle, and insists on leading the army.
• 😀 Unlike Achilles, who has a more personal reason to fight (his loyalty to friends and enemies), Agamemnon asserts his authority as king and sees himself as the central figure.
• 😀 Agamemnon constantly reminds others of his position as king, unlike Achilles who acts based on strong loyalty and black-and-white thinking.
• 😀 Agamemnon is more calculating and manipulative, using his pride and influence to manipulate others for personal gain.
• 😀 In Book 2, Agamemnon tests his soldiers' loyalty, showing his strategic, power-driven approach to leadership.
• 😀 Homer portrays Agamemnon unfavorably, making it hard for readers to feel sympathy for him, especially when compared to Achilles' raw emotion.

Q & A

How does Agamemnon's pride differ from Achilles' pride?

Agamemnon’s pride is constant and used strategically to assert power over others, while Achilles’ pride flares up emotionally in moments of frustration or anger.

What event sparks the feud between Agamemnon and Achilles?

The feud begins when Agamemnon demands that Achilles give up his war prize, Briseis, which leads Achilles to withdraw from the battle.

How does Agamemnon’s decision impact the Greek army?

Agamemnon’s decision to take Briseis from Achilles causes Achilles to withdraw from the battlefield, which results in significant suffering for the Greek army.

In what ways is Agamemnon responsible for the Greek army's troubles?

Agamemnon is just as responsible as Achilles for the troubles of the Greek army because his decision to take Briseis from Achilles directly leads to Achilles’ withdrawal and the weakening of the army.

What distinguishes Agamemnon’s leadership from Achilles'?

While Achilles is more impulsive and emotional, Agamemnon is calculating and manipulative, using his pride and authority to control others, even though he risks less in battle.

Why does Agamemnon insist on leading the army despite his younger brother’s stronger reason to fight?

Agamemnon insists on leading the army because of his status as king, despite his brother Menelaus having a more personal reason to fight—his wife Helen was stolen by Paris.

How does Agamemnon manipulate those around him?

Agamemnon manipulates others by asserting his authority and using his pride to maintain control, often testing his soldiers' loyalty, as seen in Book 2 of the *Iliad*.

How does Agamemnon react when he makes peace with Achilles in Book 19?

Agamemnon refuses to take responsibility for his actions and instead blames fate, ruin, and the gods for the conflict, showing his reluctance to admit fault.

How does Agamemnon's approach to leadership contrast with Achilles' view of the world?

Agamemnon is more calculating and strategic, placing himself first, whereas Achilles sees the world in a black-and-white manner, being fiercely loyal to his friends and merciless to his enemies.

Why is it difficult for readers to sympathize with Agamemnon compared to Achilles?

Homer portrays Agamemnon as cold, calculating, and selfish, making it harder for readers to empathize with him, especially when compared to the more emotionally driven Achilles.