In the context of war, it is key for a warrior not to take an action that will cost him his life. Limiting one’s agency to follow the guidance and expertise of commanders, or a being higher than oneself, is instinct in protecting oneself from defeat and death. Book 5 of Homer’s The Iliad illustrates the limits of agency in both mortals and immortals, which are influenced by the power dynamic between men, gods, and Zeus. Under Athena’s power, Diomedes is the star warrior in this passage. She is the one who “set[s] the man ablaze, his shield and helmet flaming with tireless fire like the star that flames the harvest” (5.4-5). Athena not only makes him much greater than the warrior he already is, she also removes the mist that prevents humans
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Athena, daughter of Zeus and goddess of battle strategy, has the expertise of winning battles, therefore it would be a fatal mistake for Diomedes to fight a god if Athena orders against it. There is a credibility given in her orders, and her very existence as a child of Zeus, that makes it unthinkable, if not impossible, for a mortal like Diomedes to defy her orders. When Athena shames Diomedes for not fighting like his father, Diomedes explains that it was her order not to fight any immortals that keeps him from battling Ares, not his inability to live up to his warrior image and background (5. 932-951). Similarly, once Athena tells Diomedes it is okay to fight Ares and that she will help, Diomedes follows orders with no hesitance to attack the “double-dealing, lying two-faced god” (5. 960). He proceeds to brutally strike “deep in Ares’ bowels where the belt cinched him tight” and “gouge[s] him down” as Athena “ram[s] it home” (5. 988-991). He carries out orders as any soldier would for a …show more content…
Just as Diomedes’ agency is restricted in who to fight and who not to fight by Athena, Ares is explicitly told by Athena to leave battle earlier in Book 5 (5.33-38). Because he fights on the side of the Trojans after he was told to stay out and was carried away, Ares runs the risk of conflict with the gods, who in general do not favor him already, especially those such as Athena and Hera who side with the Argives. It is quite expected that they call on Zeus for permission to have Athena battle him. Zeus’ lack of encouragement also influences Ares’ since “each [of the gods are] overpowered” by the god of thunder (5. 1015). Unlike Athena who is “spur[red]” by Zeus, Ares does not receive this motivation from Zeus, and Ares decides to pursue his own agenda, thereby coming into conflict with Athena and Hera (5.1009). Ares’ complaint of this hierarchy, and the favoritism within that, brings attention to the consequences of warriors acting on their own in war. Ares’ place in this hierarchy as the outcast rebel, the black sheep, marks him as the one god who faces constant rebuke and further trouble for acting on his own will. Ares is the example of how to not be a useful nor efficient warrior--a god no man should strive to be like. Otherwise one may not only be reprimanded, but sent home as well if not killed for his choices on the battlefield. The
Athena, daughter of Zeus and goddess of battle strategy, has the expertise of winning battles, therefore it would be a fatal mistake for Diomedes to fight a god if Athena orders against it. There is a credibility given in her orders, and her very existence as a child of Zeus, that makes it unthinkable, if not impossible, for a mortal like Diomedes to defy her orders. When Athena shames Diomedes for not fighting like his father, Diomedes explains that it was her order not to fight any immortals that keeps him from battling Ares, not his inability to live up to his warrior image and background (5. 932-951). Similarly, once Athena tells Diomedes it is okay to fight Ares and that she will help, Diomedes follows orders with no hesitance to attack the “double-dealing, lying two-faced god” (5. 960). He proceeds to brutally strike “deep in Ares’ bowels where the belt cinched him tight” and “gouge[s] him down” as Athena “ram[s] it home” (5. 988-991). He carries out orders as any soldier would for a …show more content…
Just as Diomedes’ agency is restricted in who to fight and who not to fight by Athena, Ares is explicitly told by Athena to leave battle earlier in Book 5 (5.33-38). Because he fights on the side of the Trojans after he was told to stay out and was carried away, Ares runs the risk of conflict with the gods, who in general do not favor him already, especially those such as Athena and Hera who side with the Argives. It is quite expected that they call on Zeus for permission to have Athena battle him. Zeus’ lack of encouragement also influences Ares’ since “each [of the gods are] overpowered” by the god of thunder (5. 1015). Unlike Athena who is “spur[red]” by Zeus, Ares does not receive this motivation from Zeus, and Ares decides to pursue his own agenda, thereby coming into conflict with Athena and Hera (5.1009). Ares’ complaint of this hierarchy, and the favoritism within that, brings attention to the consequences of warriors acting on their own in war. Ares’ place in this hierarchy as the outcast rebel, the black sheep, marks him as the one god who faces constant rebuke and further trouble for acting on his own will. Ares is the example of how to not be a useful nor efficient warrior--a god no man should strive to be like. Otherwise one may not only be reprimanded, but sent home as well if not killed for his choices on the battlefield. The