Austin Boyett

EN 101-05

Dr. Mitchell

19 September 2013

Embassy to Achilles in Book IX

Achilles is at fault. In Book IX of Homer’s The Iliad, we see Achilles’ rejection

of Agamemnon’s offer of treasure and women if he would come back to fight with the

Achaean army. Controversy arises over the fact that Achilles refused after several of his

close aquaintences came to convince him to accept. He was wrong because he holds a

grudge over a forgivable wrong, ignores the advice of those who care about him, and he

was cheats himself out of glory and honor through confusion and doubt. Some would

argue that Achilles is right in his decision since he was treated poorly, but his reaction

towards the messengers shows a bitterness that is caused by something deeper – he

cannot achieve his goal of immortality.

What Agamemnon did to Achilles was cruel, but not unforgivable. Agamemnon

came to his senses and sent gifts to compensate for how he treated Achilles. Achilles

reacts in an inappropriate manner. His opinion on the matter does not waiver after any

justification. Peleus says to the warrior, “Hold in check that proud, fiery spirit of yours

inside your chest” (9.309-319). Achilles shows a leading characteristic of epic heroes.

Hubris, or “extreme pride”, is a weakness of the classic epic hero. Achilles is prideful

when he claims to deserve more than what he is given. Hubris is often feeling superior of

the gods, which they do not approve of. Achilles’ greatest sin is his pride.
 Achilles is wrong to ignore the advice presented by Phoenix. The most significant

of the men in the embassy is Phoenix, who is a father figure to Achilles. He reminds the

great warrior that it was he that “raised” the young Achilles and taught him to be the hero

he would become. Disregarding everything that Phoenix has said, Achilles still refuses

the offer. Achilles doesn’t know that Odysseus left out part of Agamemnon’s offer. “[…]

Let him submit to me!” (9.189) Agamemnon will only give these gifts if Achilles will

recognize him as monarch. Achilles would have reason to reject the offer if he were

aware of that condition, so he was wrong to ignore and explode towards Odysseus.

Odysseus protected things from becoming worse.

Achilles has a false ideology of immortality and honor. He creates a poor excuse

for rejecting the offer. He sees that Agamemnon offers no actual apology and is offended.

He claims he will not fight because he desires a longer life. He refuses the immortality of

his name by doing so. Achilles refers to the prophecy his mother spoke of earlier. He is

going to choose a long life over glory, but he does this without making a decision on

which is more valuable. He was wrong to reject the offer because he was indecisive about

death. All Ancient Greeks desire glory. That’s what they lived for, but he throws it out

the window when he’s told he can’t have both. Thus, his problem really isn’t with

Agamemnon. His bitterness is set upon something than is unattainable.

Phoenix makes an interesting point in his rebuttal. He parallels Achilles’ situation

to that of Meleager. Achilles set himself away with his closest companion, Patroclus.

Meleager did the same, but went back to battle when his wife – his closest companion –

foretold him of her death that would result if he stayed. Achilles’ mother predicted a

bitterness that would come upon him through a great sacrifice that he is not prepared for.
Achilles sees this as his own death, but Phoenix’s story shows us that it is not. Achilles

will lose his close companion. In conclusion, he has no right to reject and explode

because his bitterness is towards himself; not Agamemnon.