Theory: What has been done to me, I will do to others?

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For an essay concerning the Iliad of Homer, my central question is about Agamemnon. In the beginning verses of the epic poem he - who was forced to sacrifice his own daughter in order to get to Troy - refuses to listen to Chryses. Chryses - a priest of Apollo - came to Agamemnon to beg for the return of his daughter - Chryseis. He offers an honourable ransom. All other Greeks cheer and tell Agamemnon to take the deal and return the girl. Yet he refuses.

It is hard to understand how a father who knows what is like to lose his daughter, doesn't show pity with a fellow father. How come, is my question?

A fellow student told me to get a copy of Jung's book on symbols and human life - I'm not sure wether I can get it in time - yeah, I'm late - , I'll try, but maybe someone has an idea, suggestion, perhaps a known psychological complex wich applies to Agamemnon's situation... I hope so & thanks in advance...

Arthur Kneepkens arthurjmk@hotmail.com

-- Arthur Kneepkens (arthurjmk@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002

Answers

I don't think Jung is the solution to this one, nor is the issue of the father's personality or complexes.

You might check dissertation abstracts international to read the following dissertation abstract, which analyses the wider theme:

'SITUATIONAL OBSERVATION' IN THE RANSOM SCENES OF THE ILIAD: A STUDY IN TECHNIQUES OF CHARACTERIZATION Author: PEDRICK, VICTORIA ATKINSON Degree: PH.D. Institution: UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI 0045 Year: 1980

I suspect the answer lies in the situation as much as the personality: in the midst of war, personal feelings are set aside. And you'd have to "assess" the entire context. Thus, no easy paper!

-- Hendrika Vande Kemp (hendrika@earthlink.net), March 26, 2002.


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