← Back to Questions
C
10-Mark Question
Passage-based analysis from Homer's Iliad

How does Homer present Agamemnon's character in this passage?

Book 1 Agamemnon Chryses Honour Divine
10 marks

The Passage

Chryses had come to the fast ships of the Achaians to gain release for his daughter, bringing with him unlimited ransom, and holding in his hands the sacred woollen bands of Apollo the far-shooter, wreathed on a golden staff. He began to entreat the whole body of the Achaians, but especially the two sons of Atreus, the marshals of the army. 'Sons of Atreus, and you other well-greaved Achaians, may the gods who live on Olympus grant you the sacking of Priam's city and a safe return home. But release my dear child to me, and accept this ransom, in reverence for the son of Zeus, Apollo the far-shooter.'
Direct Speech
"'Sons of Atreus... Apollo the far-shooter.'"
Chryses' speech is respectful and formal, using proper titles and religious appeals. This creates sympathy for him as a humble supplicant and establishes the proper way to behave - making Agamemnon's response more shocking by contrast.
 Then all the other Achaians shouted their agreement
Contrast
"all the other Achaians shouted their agreement"
The collective approval of all the other Greeks highlights Agamemnon's isolation in his cruelty. This contrast emphasises that his behaviour is abnormal and wrong, even by the standards of his own people.
, to respect the priest's claim and take the splendid ransom. But this was not the pleasure of Agamenon's heart
Characterisation
"this was not the pleasure of Agamenon's heart"
The phrase reveals Agamemnon's selfishness - he prioritises his own desires ('pleasure') over proper behaviour and religious duty. The focus on his 'heart' suggests this cruelty comes from within his character, not from external pressure.
, the son of Atreus. He sent him shamefully
Tone/Authorial Comment
"shamefully"
This adverb is Homer's direct judgement on Agamemnon's behaviour. The narrator explicitly condemns the action as disgraceful, guiding the audience's moral response and emphasising the severity of the offence.
 on his way, with harsh words of command
Tone
"harsh words of command"
The description emphasises Agamemnon's brutality and abuse of his authority. He uses his power not to negotiate but to dominate, speaking in 'commands' rather than engaging in proper supplication customs.
: 'Old man let me never find you by our hollow ships, either dallying here now or coming back again in the future'
Imperative Mood
"'Old man let me never find you... or coming back again'"
The use of imperatives and prohibitions shows Agamemnon's authoritarian nature. He issues orders rather than engaging in dialogue, treating the priest with contempt rather than the respect his religious position deserves.
 – or you will have no protection from the god's sacred bands and staff
Threatening Language
"or you will have no protection from the god's sacred bands and staff"
This is a shocking threat of violence against a priest under divine protection. Agamemnon's complete disregard for religious sanctity reveals his arrogance and foreshadows the divine punishment that will follow.
. As for the girl I shall not release her. Before that old age will come upon her in our house in Argos, far from her own country, where she will work at the loom and serve my bed.
Emotive Language
"old age will come upon her... far from her own country... work at the loom and serve my bed"
The specific details of Chryseis' future captivity are deliberately cruel, designed to cause Chryses maximum pain. Agamemnon's graphic description of her permanent enslavement and his reference to 'my bed' show his possessiveness and lack of compassion.
 No away with you
Imperative Mood
"away with you"
The abrupt dismissal is contemptuous and disrespectful. This curt command treats Chryses like a servant rather than a priest, showing Agamemnon's complete disregard for proper social and religious protocols.
: do not provoke me, if you want to return in safety
Threatening Language
"do not provoke me, if you want to return in safety"
The final threat of violence completes the picture of Agamemnon as dangerous, unpredictable, and willing to abuse his power. The conditional clause suggests he is looking for an excuse to harm Chryses, revealing both cruelty and volatility.
.'
Book 1, lines 11-32

Try identifying techniques yourself first, then click to reveal

Try writing your own answer first, then compare with this model response

Model Answer

A strong 10-mark answer should make 5 separate references to the text, explaining how Homer's techniques present Agamemnon's character. Each point should include a quotation and analysis.

Point 1: Isolated cruelty through contrast

Homer presents Agamemnon as cruel and isolated through the contrast between his response and that of the other Greeks. When Chryses makes his plea, 'all the other Achaians shouted their agreement, to respect the priest's claim', emphasising the collective support for proper religious behaviour. However, 'this was not the pleasure of Agamenon's heart' - the contrast makes clear that Agamemnon's refusal is abnormal and selfish. The phrase 'pleasure of Agamenon's heart' reveals his character as self-centred, prioritising his own desires over moral duty and religious obligation.

Point 2: Authorial condemnation

Homer makes explicit judgements about Agamemnon's behaviour through his choice of adverbs and descriptive phrases. Agamemnon sends Chryses away 'shamefully', with the adverb functioning as Homer's direct condemnation of the action. The phrase 'harsh words of command' emphasises both the brutality ('harsh') and the abuse of authority ('command'). These narratorial comments guide the audience to see Agamemnon as morally wrong, and his behaviour as disgraceful by the standards of proper hospitality and religious conduct.

Point 3: Threatening and sacrilegious language

Agamemnon's character is revealed as dangerously arrogant through his explicit threats against a priest under divine protection. His warning that Chryses 'will have no protection from the god's sacred bands and staff' is shocking because it threatens violence against religious symbols. This complete disregard for religious sanctity demonstrates hubris that will inevitably lead to divine punishment. The final threat - 'do not provoke me, if you want to return in safety' - presents Agamemnon as volatile and dangerous, using conditional language that suggests he is actively looking for an excuse to commit violence.

Point 4: Cruel specificity in describing captivity

Homer uses emotive language to show Agamemnon's deliberate cruelty. Rather than simply refusing the ransom, Agamemnon describes in graphic detail how Chryseis will grow old 'in our house in Argos, far from her own country, where she will work at the loom and serve my bed'. The specific details - the distance from home, the menial labour, and the sexual servitude - are designed to cause Chryses maximum pain. The possessive 'my bed' reveals Agamemnon's view of Chryseis as property, while the phrase 'far from her own country' emphasises the permanent nature of her exile, showing his complete lack of compassion.

Point 5: Imperatives showing dominance

The repeated use of imperative mood reveals Agamemnon's authoritarian and contemptuous character. Commands like 'let me never find you' and 'away with you' show his refusal to engage in proper negotiation or dialogue. Instead of the reciprocal exchange expected in supplication scenes, Agamemnon issues orders, treating Chryses with contempt rather than the respect due to a priest. The abrupt 'away with you' is particularly dismissive, treating an elderly priest as if he were a servant. This linguistic dominance demonstrates Agamemnon's abuse of his power and his failure to understand proper social and religious protocols.

Back to All Questions