Ajax MOR part 3 in response to Riess part 3
I think that Ajax just annoyed Athena and she wanted to stay in the place of the hero. If she can fix the problem and protect her people, then who cares if it was her that caused it in the first place? Either way, Athena gets to look like the hero and be revered more. I think that the army itself will be a bit of a loose cannon, and they might want to kill him (even though he’s already dead). I think that the leaders of the army will see him in a more forgiving light, however. They already seem to be willing to work with Ajax, and really don’t want him to kill himself just yet at least. They seem to be concerned about his wellbeing, not just the wellbeing of those around him. Do you think Tecmessa will also kill herself as she promised to earlier? Will Ajax give her crap in the underworld if she does? If she doesn’t?
Ajax:
And famous Athens, with thy kindred race,
And you, ye springs and streams, and Trojan plains,
Farewell, all ye who have sustained my life.
This is the last word Ajax speaks to you.
All else in Hades to the dead will I say.
What is he planning to tell the citizens of Hades? Do they just not know what’s going on right now within the Greek world? Are they taking bets?
So their son is probably going to go live with Ajax’s parents, but what about Tecmessa? Is she going to be willing to live through all of this? Will she try to make a statement with her death too? That seemed to have been Ajax’s reason, he wanted to regain his honor by dying. Similar to the Japanese during World War 2, death was the only honorable way to go, and if it meant suicide then it meant suicide. I think he was trying to regain his lost pride and honor.
December 1, 2019 Ajax MOR part 4 response to Aaliyah part 3
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that Tecmessa will kill herself. She was obviously close to Ajax, but she has a child that she needs to raise and she wouldn’t do that to her child. Ajax, on the other hand, will always give people crap; he just seems like that type of guy. He would give her crap if she died now or later. I also don’t know what he will tell the citizens of Hades. He probably is just talking about how he can no longer talk to the people on earth, since he will be dead, so he can only talk to the people in Hades. With Tecmessa and her son, if the son does live with the parents, then what is the point of Tecmessa staying? Unless the Greeks force her to stay with them, she can just leave. That’s what I would do, go home to your actual family and live life well free, not as a slave. With Ajax dying for honor, that seems like the right thing to do. He did just greatly embarrass himself and show his true intentions with Odysseus and the army, so just go out with a bang. Die with “honor” and don’t face the consequences.
The consequences would have been bad as well. Menelaus, Agamemnon, and Odysseus came to see Ajax, and they all treated the dead man differently. Menelaus had no respect and said he didn’t deserve a burial because of his intentions to kill them, Agamemnon called Ajax a coward and a nobody, but Odysseus is different. He shows kindness, even towards his enemy. Why do you think that? Why did Odysseus treat his enemy, Ajax, differently even though he was dead and had the opportunity?
”Odysseus Yes, Agamemnon. I hated him when it was proper and just to hate him!
Agamemnon So, now that he’s dead, isn’t it proper for you to insult him?
Odysseus Son of Atreus, don’t take pleasure in gains achieved by ignoble deeds.
Agamemnon It’s hard to find a king who’d virtuous in such circumstances.
Odysseus But, nevertheless, he should honour the words of a friend whose advice is good.
Agamemnon Noble man should obey their superiors.
Odysseus Fine but one wins when one gives way to friends.
Agamemnon But do remember to what sort of a man you’re granting your kindness, Odysseus!
Odysseus True, Ajax was my enemy but he was, nonetheless, noble!”