Write a 2 page essay on It is based on book 1 of the Iliad nd don't have one for it.I choose the side of Achilles because his principles of fairness and courage are admirable for a leader who wants to

Write a 2 page essay on It is based on book 1 of the Iliad nd don't have one for it.

I choose the side of Achilles because his principles of fairness and courage are admirable for a leader who wants to save his troops from pestilence without taking away their “prizes” and who has the courage to be a good leader, while Agamemnon uses persistence and authority for his own welfare only.

Agamemnon stands for persistence and authority, but mostly for his own sake. Persistence can be a good principle for a king, but not if he sacrifices the happiness of his people for his own. Nestor, a long-time warrior, asks Agamemnon to set aside his needs and anger for the good of the Achaians: “Son of Atreus, check your anger, I implore you. end this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaians” (Homer). Agamemnon, however, in his persistence, does not back down. He tells Nestor: “…this fellow must needs become our lord and master: he must be lord of all, king of all, and captain of all, and this shall hardly be” (Homer). He believes that, as King, he is right and must be followed at all times. He follows Greek culture which places higher social status on kings than warriors. He wants Achilles to respect and obey him because Greek cultural beliefs dictate utmost deference to the king. Furthermore, Agamemnon protects his authority. Losing Chryseis, he asserts his kinghood when he demands for Achilles to give Briseis to him: “…I shall come to your tent and take your own prize Briseis, that you may learn how much stronger I am than you are, and that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with me” (Homer). He emphasizes his authority that cannot be undercut at all times. Agamemnon promotes his power with persistence.

Achilles responds to Agamemnon with fairness and courage that are admirable for a leader. Achilles shows fairness because he does not think Agamemnon is being fair in wanting to take the prize