Eurolit Homework 9/20/2018

Start writing The Iliad essay. Due Monday!!!

Eurolit Notes 9/20/2018

p. 450 Priam asks Achilles how his father would feel if Achilles died. “You are indeed a man of sorrows and have suffered much.”

p. 452 “Lamenting for your son will do no good at all.” Achilles says that Priam can have Hector’s body back. Priam asks for Achilles to give him back without delay. Achilles is angered by Priam’s urging.

What changes? Achilles is no longer angry. What makes this change? Priam comes and Achilles sees him suffer. Achilles begins to think about his own father and how his death will cause his father’s suffering. Also, Achilles is reminded of Patroclus’ death and Achilles’ own suffering. Priam causes Achilles to feel compassion.

With compassion we see something outside of ourselves. It is our suffering that leads us to compassion. Without compassion we have the id. Me, me, me.

We are the only animals that are self aware and also aware of our own mortality.

We are beings who suffer. Homer is saying that that’s what leads us to our humanity. As we see suffering, we are moved to compassion.

What changes? Achilles loses his wrath.

Why does it change? Achilles sees Priam’s suffering and feels compassion. It also reminds Achilles of his own compassion.

In what way does it change? “Don’t push me too hard old man.” Achilles goes right back to his ways.

Why does Homer have Achilles change this way? As far as the history of mankind goes, the superego is very recently developed. It demonstrates the tenuousness of man’s civility.

Why is it Achilles who changes? Because the most beastly human being you can imagine is the one who changes. If Achilles can do it anyone can. Therefore, all humanity can be self surpassing.

In our godlike strive for perfection, sometimes we can succumb to the beastliness of our nature.

Even with this ability to reason, we can be even worse than the beasts.

“Old man don’t drive me too hard.” Achilles changes momentarily. However, he DOES give Hector’s body back. “Don’t exasperate me now, sir, while I have enough on my mind, or I may break the laws of Zeus.”