(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Chryses - A Man of Honor Above Self

             A person's honor is a result of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. The ancient Greeks, however, view honor as more than the result of a person's accomplishments. It represents who the person is. To dishonor someone was not simply disregarding their achievements or work, but to attack the person. Characters in the Iliad build relationships based to how they choose to treat another character's honor. The greater the respect for another's honor the better the relationship between the two characters. Chryses' choice to respect Agamemnon when asking for Chryseis shows his compassion and his understanding of the importance of honor. .
             Chryses displays compassion by avoiding violence as much as he can. He has the power to ask Apollo to smite the army but first attempts to go about his request peacefully. After his request is denied he prays to Apollo out of anger and disappointment, after which Apollo "descended Olympus' crags / pulsing with fury" and "rained death on the camp" (lines 52-53, 61). Apollo comes to Chryses' aid because of his great favor with the gods. He has the power to influence the gods to cause great destruction, but chooses to first strive for a peaceful solution by means of petition. It would have been easy for him to ruin the Greek camp and then come take Chryseis in the aftermath. Out of compassion he does not do this. He feels he owes Agamemnon the courtesy of a meeting and presents an opportunity to come to a mutual agreement. Agamemnon's honor would have been defaced had his army been thwarted by a priest. Chryses knows this and in order to maintain a good relationship with Agamemnon he avoids violence.
             Chryses also shows his compassion through his respectful plea to Agamemnon. Even though Agamemnon holds Chryseis captive and uses her as a concubine, Chryses approaches the Greek camp humbly trying to not damage Agamemnon's pride and makes "a formal plea" (21). He can reasonably be angered that his daughter is being used but keeps a level head and calmly pleas with Agamemnon.


Essays Related to Chryses - A Man of Honor Above Self

1. Honor

The use of personal, self-controlled honor as enforcement in theory allows members of the community to operate more freely and reduces costs and time spent on "direct supervision". The first college to implement an honor system was William and Mary. ... So, the honor system developed on the principle of southern, gentlemanly honor. Although many other southern universities, such as Virginia in 1942, adopted similar codes, "academic historians doubted honor codes could work above the Mason-Dixon line." ... So, although the specific tradition of honor codes can be traced to southern univers...

  • Word Count: 520
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Material World

After Agamemnon rejects all of the pleas of Chryseis' father, Chryses, to let her go, Chryses prays to Apollo. ... When Achilles asks a seer why this is happening, he reveals that it is the work of Apollo and Chryses for Agamemnon not releasing Chryseis. ... Because two of the highest ranking Achaens are fighting over who has the highest honor, it can easily be seen how important honor is in their society. ... As soon as Patroclus is seen in Achilles' armor, the momentum of the battle shifts entirely to the Achaens' side all because the Trojans think that Achilles is the man ...

  • Word Count: 1235
  • Approx Pages: 5

3. Agamemnon in the Iliad

For example, at the beginning of the story, Agamemnon said to the old man Chryses, priest of Apollo, "Never let me find you again, old sir, near our hollow ships, neither lingering now nor coming again hereafter, for fear your staff and the god's ribbons help you no longer" (Richmond Lattimore, The Iliad, 1.26-28). ... There are others with me who will do me honor, and above all Zeus of the counsels" (1.173-175). ... To Chryses, Agamemnon said "The girl I will not give back; sooner will old age come upon her in my own house, in Argos, far from her own land, going up an...

  • Word Count: 734
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Honor

Honor Honor is a very strong word. ... Many people perceive honor in their own way. ... The president is honored as Mr. ... To become honored in your hometown, win a big high school football game and many could easily honor you. ... Honor is not expecting rose pedals at your feet. ...

  • Word Count: 486
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

5. The True Hero of the Iliad

This is apparent in the beginning of book 1 when Agamemnon refuses to return Chryseis to her father Chryses, priest of Apollo. After having refused Chryses his right to his beloved daughter, the priest then prays to Apollo, who then sends down a plague on the Achaians. ... Out of spite, he decides to remove himself from battle until his honor is restored. ... He becomes engrossed in his own self-pride and decides that until it is restored, he will not partake in any battles. ... He comes to terms with his fate and accepts death in honor of his efforts. ...

  • Word Count: 1596
  • Approx Pages: 6

6. What Honor Means To Me

The honor code can be incorporated in my life by using it effectively in class. ... Second, the honor code has amazing attributes. Learning these attributes makes carrying out the honor code an easy process. ... The honor system is a mainstay and has a firm position on this campus. ... Students are able to take a vital role in self-discipline and helping things run smoothly during campus life. ...

  • Word Count: 586
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

7. George Gershwin's

father, Chryses, priest of Apollo, begs Agamemnon to return his daughter. Sons of Atreus and you other strong-greaved Achains, to you may the gods grant who have their homes on Olympos Priam's city to be plundered and fair homecoming thereafter, but may you give me back my own daughter and take the ransom, giving honor to Azeus? ... (Il.1.17-21) However A00gamemnon continues to refuse him and so Chryses prays to the great god Apollo to have his daughter returned. ...

  • Word Count: 698
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Haverford's Honor Code

Given the dynamic nature of the Honor Code and the opportunity you will have to shape and change the Code if you come to Haverford, what issues and ideas do you think are essential for an Honor Code to focus on, and how should an Honor Code address them? ... In addition to cooperation, self-responsibility is another concept that squash regulations promote: if a referee misses a call which the player saw, the player is encouraged to admit the error even if it's not to his advantage. ... Likewise, Haverford's Honor Code also upholds the importance of accountability. ... Just as the rul...

  • Word Count: 655
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Becket: Honor and Collaboration

When Becket dies, his word and honor will still be remembered and he will be known as a good man because he changed his life around for the better. ... He wants to be known as a different and changed man, as a man who doesn't collaborated and follow the Kings ways. But by a man who lives by God. Honor is illustrated throughout the film because Becket followed his heart, he changed his ways, and he became an honorable and trusts worthy man. ... He died a good man, and will be in heaven because he chose a better life style, by following his heart and his goodness will be honored even aft...

  • Word Count: 561
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question