Iliad by Homer (Book IX): The Dominance of Masculinity

Elle Remick

Professor Carrico; Rhetoric 103A

GSI: Jerilyn Sambrooke

8 October 2016

Iliad by Homer (Book IX): The Dominance of Masculinity

            Homer’s Iliad accentuates the theme of dominant masculinity. Through the use of rhetoric, Book IX featuring Achilles’ refusing argument against Ajax, Odysseus, and Phoenix demonstrates Achilles’ attempt to remain dominantly masculine.

            Towards the end of Book IX, the passage displaying Achilles’ final dismissal towards Ajax represents his commitment to masculinity. While he ultimately refuses Ajax’s offer, Achilles refers to him as the “noble son of Telamon…” (Homer). Using an allusion, Achilles’ intention behind the remark of Ajax’s father is to degrade him to a boy’s status; instead of referring to Ajax as an individual man, Achilles is relating him to a product of someone else that is of a higher caliber. Thus, Achilles remains dominant. Achilles continues to proclaim his dominance over Ajax by stating, “You have spoken to my liking…” (Homer). Suggesting that Ajax’s objective is to please him, Achilles further proclaims dominance through style. That being said, Achilles makes himself appear more credible than Ajax and, therefore, the more dominant person through rhetoric. However, not only does Achilles demonstrate his aim for dominance, he also identifies a threat to it.

            Although Achilles claims to be dominant, he senses competition against Agamemnon. Achilles carefully uses an idiom, alliteration, and another allusion to identify his rage. He moves forward with his speech and states, “But my blood boils when I think it all over, and remember how the son of Atreus treated me with contumely…” (Homer). The idiom and alliteration of his boiling blood emphasizes the merit of his masculine competitiveness. Furthermore, alluding again to the fact that Agamemnon is the son of Atreus is Achilles’ tactic to seem as the dominant individual. Achilles continues to show his distress over potentially being dominated when he claims that Agamemnon treated him “[as] though [I] were some vile tramp, and that too in the presence of the Argives” (Homer). Not only is Achilles humiliated that Agamemnon challenged his masculinity by treating him with disrespect, he also generates the spectacle in front of his army. That being said, Achilles expresses concern for his masculinity through rhetoric.

            Achilles mentally recovers, and redeems his masculinity; he orders Ajax to deliver the message to Agamemnon that he will not stoop down to his level and fight. This noble rhetoric demonstrates that Achilles is the more masculine out of the two, and he cannot be challenged. In fact, Achilles makes a bold statement when he says, “I will have no concern with fighting till Hector…flings fire upon their ships” (Homer). In this rhetoric, Achilles is saying that he is masculine enough to neutralize the idea of his troops experiencing potential danger. In other words, Achilles’ amount of masculinity prevents him from feeling any remorse or sympathy.

Achilles makes one last remark to his masculinity. Lashing out at Agamemnon, Achilles proclaims, “For all his lust of battle, I take it he will be held in check when he is at my own tent and ship” (Homer). As his goal is to make Agamemnon appear inferior, Achilles confidently announces he will beg him for a truce; Achilles ultimately dominates Agamemnon’s masculinity.

Book IX in Homer’s Iliad demonstrates the impact Achilles’ rhetoric makes on the theme of masculine dominance. At first, Achilles recognizes the importance of masculinity and dominance. Then, his rhetoric is driven by rage and humiliation. However, Achilles recovers, redeeming his masculinity. By the end of this passage, Achilles proclaims that his masculinity is dominant.