CLAS2700 Homer’s Iliad: seminar 1 (week 6)

Homer’s portrayal of personal interaction: a case-study

Homer likes to show us his characters interacting with each other: a large proportion
of his text is taken up with the characters’ speech (as distinct from the poet’s
narrative). The aim of this seminar is to look at the ways in which Homer portrays
the interaction between characters, and think about the issues which that raises for
our understanding of the narrative. Diomedes serves as a case-study for discussion.
As a starting-point, we will focus on two episodes in which Diomedes interacts with
Agamemnon (and others). To prepare, read these two passages and think about
the following questions (and any other questions which you think they raise):
 In book 4 Agamemnon conducts an inspection of his troops. Read his encounter
with Diomedes (4.364-421).
o Why does Agamemnon speak so insultingly? (It would be a good idea to look
at the larger context, to see how Agamemnon conducts himself in the rest of
the inspection.)
o Are you surprised by Diomedes’ mild reaction? (Contrast the response of his
aide Sthenelus—and imagine how Achilles would have reacted.)
o Why does Diomedes react like this?
 At the beginning of book 9 Agamemnon summons an assembly of the army (9.1-
79).
o During the discussion Diomedes reminds Agamemnon of the earlier incident.
Why is his tone different here?
o Look also at Nestor’s response—both the way he speaks to Diomedes, and
the proposal he makes to refer the discussion to a smaller council of leaders.
Can we say why Nestor takes the line he does in this assembly?
To understand these incidents, it is important that we should view them in a wider
perspective. In particular, other episodes in which Diomedes plays a role may help
us to understand these exchanges better, either by throwing light on his character,
or by portraying significant events which might have influenced the way others relate
to him. So as background it would be worth considering the following passages:
 In the first day’s fighting, Diomedes plays a prominent role (see the whole of book
5).
 Later in the same day’s fighting he has a more peaceable encounter with the
enemy hero Glaucus (6.119-236).
 That evening the Trojans send peace proposals: look at the role Diomedes plays
in determining the Greek response (7.381-413).
 On the second day’s fighting (which ends with the Greeks sending envoys to
Achilles), Diomedes is again prominent: note especially what he does (and with
whom!) at 8.78-197.
 That evening, the council meeting which Nestor had proposed decides to send
envoys to Achilles: look at Diomedes’ contribution when the envoys report back to
the council at the end of book 9 (9.669-713).
 Later the same night he volunteers for the raid on the Trojan camp (see the whole
of book 10).
 The next day he is wounded, and—like several of the leading Greek heroes—has
to withdraw from the field (11.310-400); but when the wounded leaders consult
later on, he again makes an important contribution (14.1-134).
 In book 23 he competes in two events, the chariot-race (23.262-616) and the fight
in armour (23.798-825).