Book report for Iliad books 1-5

1. How is King Agamemnon an example of “stubbornness of heart” in the first five books of the Iliad?
• Narrate the incident.
• Cite modern day examples/personalities which display the same stubbornness of heart.

Narration of the incident that showed the “stubbornness of heart” of King Agamemnon


Several years after the start of the Trojan war, Prince Achilles with the Achaian fleet had brought down a town in the city of Troy. He took two captives with him. They were two beautiful maidens namely Chryseis and Briseis.



King Agamemnon took Chryseis and was given to Achilles as a prize for the war. Eventually, King Agamemnon was confronted by Chryses, the father of Chryseis. Chryses tried to please him with the golden staff of Apollo in order to get his daughter back. But with all the respect, good words and ransom, King Agamemnon refused to return her daughter. He considered Chryseis as his own property. He stated that Chryseis should stay with him until her old age, working for him and lying in bed.



After that incident, Chryses prayed to Apollo and ask for help. Apollo heard his prayer and sent a plague/pestilence in the Achaian camp. As a result, many soldiers were killed. King Agamemnon decided to set Chryseis free in replace of Briseis, the woman and treasure of Prince Achilles. Achilles got mad at him. He confronted Agamemnon and reasoned out. He deserved Briseis because he was the one who led the war at Troy. Agamemnon insists for his rights as king. He ordered the his two trusty servants to get Briseis from Achilles by word or by force.



Achilles had nothing to do for he is just a brilliant warrior and his foe was a stubborn king. Achilles surrendered Briseis willingly. After that he burst into tears and felt that his precious treasure he had worked for was stolen by his hard-hearted king.



Modern day examples/personalities which display the same stubbornness of heart


The books 1-5 of the Iliad imply a mere fact that there are people with a stubborn heart or attitude. This character trait can be seen in our government now a days. Most of them display this personality. They were caught in the act doing something wrong; they will exercise their powers in order to mislead people. One specific example is our late President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. It was said that he will run as a president/vice on the forthcoming elections in May even if he was overthrown from his position because of illegal business transactions and the controversial “Jose Velarde account” with suspicious amount of money. He can still manage to face the people and ask them to vote for him. Another example is our President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Last year, anomalies in the elections came out. There was a wiretapped conversation between her and Comeclect Officer Virgilio Garcillano. Even though there was evidence, President Arroyo misled people through other economic issues.



Bonus:
Quotation: “Fear nothing, but speak the word of God which you know”
(by Achilles; p.5)

This means we shouldn’t fear anyone even if he is the king or the most notorious person ever known for God is with you. We shouldn’t be afraid if we have the wisdom to know what is right. We should remember the teachings of God and let it be the enlightenment of our hearts which will lead us to his kingdom. We should live the inspired words of God in the scriptures and have faith in him for God dwells on the hearts of those who believe in him.