If you're robbed by someone in authority, and you have the upper hand, you stick it to them for all you can, IMHO.
Agamemnon was in a position of trust and thoroughly blew it. Thersites pointed this out extremely well, IMHO. He was a simple spear carrier, expected to be killed while the "heroes" do all the killing and very little of the dying.
Unless the Greek deities get involved. I picture those "worthies" treating the war as a sporting event, with pennants, ball caps, and box seats, feeling nothing for the suffering and sacrifice that always comes with a war.
The side bets must have been running constantly.
"Fifty silvers that Ajax dies in the next battle."
"Done."
"When is Paris 'at bat'?"
"Oh, he's sitting the bench for nearly getting his @$$ handed to him by Menelaus."
And poor, suffering Thersites is the one rational guy, seeing his leaders for the buffoons they are and suffering for his honesty. 🤷♂️
Achilles is like an NFL quarterback. Agamemnon is like a crappy NFL coach (he who must be obeyed even when his team is losing).
Also, picture Thersites as the voice of the common soldier that the elites, who paid Homer to perform, wanted to despise (The Duke of Wellington and his negative comments about the English soldier of his time). The commoners at the back of the audience knew Thersites was on their side, speaking up even if it meant a beating. The aristocrats likely thought Thersites was the buffoon meant to take the beating for humor.
I get a touch of Shakespeare with his portrayal of the common buffoons in his plays in Homer. People who must survive without ever overshadowing the nobility.
Wow. Didn't think of it like that. It just looked like Homer was writing Thersites as a buffoon. Now I'm wondering how this would all look like to Procerus and the other guys.
So, okay, I can see where Achilles is coming from a little bit better. And yes, it was Agamemnon's fault. But Achilles still comes off to me as one of the elites who doesn't care what he puts everyone else through. After all, why was he sticking around? Why wasn't he already gone?
The characterization of the gods and goddesses is spot on! They're just enjoying the show and rooting for their favorite teams. Worst of all are Zeus and Minerva: they literally go back and forth, rooting for the Trojans sometimes and the Greeks sometimes.
If you're robbed by someone in authority, and you have the upper hand, you stick it to them for all you can, IMHO.
Agamemnon was in a position of trust and thoroughly blew it. Thersites pointed this out extremely well, IMHO. He was a simple spear carrier, expected to be killed while the "heroes" do all the killing and very little of the dying.
Unless the Greek deities get involved. I picture those "worthies" treating the war as a sporting event, with pennants, ball caps, and box seats, feeling nothing for the suffering and sacrifice that always comes with a war.
The side bets must have been running constantly.
"Fifty silvers that Ajax dies in the next battle."
"Done."
"When is Paris 'at bat'?"
"Oh, he's sitting the bench for nearly getting his @$$ handed to him by Menelaus."
And poor, suffering Thersites is the one rational guy, seeing his leaders for the buffoons they are and suffering for his honesty. 🤷♂️
Achilles is like an NFL quarterback. Agamemnon is like a crappy NFL coach (he who must be obeyed even when his team is losing).
Also, picture Thersites as the voice of the common soldier that the elites, who paid Homer to perform, wanted to despise (The Duke of Wellington and his negative comments about the English soldier of his time). The commoners at the back of the audience knew Thersites was on their side, speaking up even if it meant a beating. The aristocrats likely thought Thersites was the buffoon meant to take the beating for humor.
That helps a lot. Also gives me ideas for a post...
I get a touch of Shakespeare with his portrayal of the common buffoons in his plays in Homer. People who must survive without ever overshadowing the nobility.
Have fun with it. 🙂
Wow. Didn't think of it like that. It just looked like Homer was writing Thersites as a buffoon. Now I'm wondering how this would all look like to Procerus and the other guys.
So, okay, I can see where Achilles is coming from a little bit better. And yes, it was Agamemnon's fault. But Achilles still comes off to me as one of the elites who doesn't care what he puts everyone else through. After all, why was he sticking around? Why wasn't he already gone?
The characterization of the gods and goddesses is spot on! They're just enjoying the show and rooting for their favorite teams. Worst of all are Zeus and Minerva: they literally go back and forth, rooting for the Trojans sometimes and the Greeks sometimes.