fma1 clas170 essay2

Agamemnon was very arrogant. He told off Achil es and told him that he was a good
man but since he had to lose his prize he would take his or Ajax's or Odysseus' prize.
(Il.1.140-149) We can see that Agamemnon was being arrogant towards Achilles. He thought
he was better than Achil es and could take his prize if he wanted. Agamemnon was also
unfaithful. He bragged, "And why shouldn't I? I like her better than/My wife Clytemnestra.
She's no worse than her/When it comes to looks, body, mind, or ability." (Il.9.121-123)
Because he was unfaithful and arrogant, Clymenstra probably didn't want him anymore.
Otherwise she would not have helped Aegisthus kill Agamemnon. (Od.11.421-422) It was
probably also due to the fact that he did not think his wife would betray him. Also, when
Dream comes to him and tells him that now is the time to capture Troy, he believes him. He
was a fool. He did not know what really awaited him. (Il.2.30-45)
Odysseus on the other hand, was very clever. For example, he knew that killing the
Cyclops was a bad idea. So instead he just blinded the Cyclops while he was drunk.
(Od.9.379-386) Because of that, the Cyclops lifted the rock from the gate and they escaped.
(Od.9.414) Another example is the sirens. Circe warned Odysseus of the sirens and told him
that he should be the only one to listen. So Odysseus told his men to tie him down and not
listen to his pleas to untie him and for them to put wax in their ears. (Od.12.161-171) So they
escaped the Sirens. (Od.12.199-207) Odysseus is able to pose as a stranger and he
successful y kills the suitors who had tried to pursue his wife. (Od.21.435-450)
When Agamemnon comes home, he is rejoiced and kisses the land. However, a
lookout had been keeping watch for a year and told Aegisthus that Agamemnon came.
Agamemnon was invited to a feast, but it was actually a trap to slaughter him. (Od.4.544-565)
So Agamemnon dies at his homecoming. When Odysseus comes home, Penelope wants to
test him. (Od.23.110-115) She asks him about his bed and he says that no one could move it

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and tel s the secret of it. (Od.23.184-211) Penelope was convinced and ran up to him and
kissed him. (Od.23.212-215) The reason their homecoming is different is because of what
they have done. Agamemnon was killed to avenge Iphigenia, who was sacrificed to Artemis
for the wind. However, Odysseus sacrificed no child of his so there was no reason for him to
die.
Agamemnon's kleos is great. Achilles, the hero of the Greeks, praised Agamemnon. He
was head of great army at Troy and it was believed he was special to Zeus. If he died at Troy,
he would have gained a lot more honor and the Greek army would have built him a tomb and
his sons would even inherit his glory. (Od.24.16-36) Odysseus' kleos lies more with his
cleverness and wit. He knew every trick in the book. Menelaus spoke fluently enough.
However, Odysseus' voice had a very strong influence and no one could compete with him.
(Il.3.212-240) He had mastered the Greek army. (Il.2.226) Odysseus had sacked Troy's
heights. (Od.1.3) No other mortal could compete with his wits and no mortal could compete
with the sacrifices he offers to the gods. (Od.1.71-73) Odysseus will be king on Ithaca for as
long as he lives. (Od.24.502) The bow that Odysseus had was hard to string. There is no man
at Ithaca who was like Odysseus. (Od.24.87-90) Agamemnon's kleos lay with his position as
the leader of the army. Odysseus' kleos lay with his actions and his cunningness.

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