Thought, Force and Selfishness in Ajax and Prometheus Bound Essay

Thought, Force and Selfishness in Ajax and Prometheus Bound - Essay congresswomanSophocles Ajax is a mighty Greek warrior in the time of the Trojan war, second only to Achilles in double-dyed(a) prowess (Sophocles, Ajax 1415). His wife is spear-won, and his entire presence on stage is marked by Hectors bloody sword, a room-full of sword-slain cattle, or his self-dealt wound. After Achilles death, a competition is set up between him and Odysseus everywhere who will inherit Achilles armor, symbolizing the inheritance of the latters prized status. When the Atreidae decide that Odysseus should get the armor, instead of humbly accepting the judges decision, Ajaxs congratulate over his power and valor spurs him in revenge against Agamemnon and Menelaus, a wild act that is only disappointed by the duplicitous intervention of Athena, the patron goddess of Odysseus. She drives Ajax mad and instead of massacring the Atreidae, he slaughters cattle instead. The double sphacelus and the ran cor that he has stirred up in the Greek camp against him drive him to commit suicide.Ajaxs actions- two the madness-inducing revenge, and his suicide-show non only a lack of wisdom but selfish pride in his lust for power. notwithstanding his wifes pleas not to do anything rash and so cause her and his son to become slaves and to be mistreated by the Greeks, he only responds by insulting her - Woman, silence graces women (Ajax 292) - and deceiving her and his friends (Chorus) about his suicidal intentions I feel the lancinate edge of my temper softened by yon womans words and I feel the pity of going her a widow with my foes, and the boy and orphan (652). His brother Teucer bemoans the taunts and the revilement that he will receive both at home and abroad because of Ajaxs selfish act (1020-2), and the Chorus the future lack of protection that heady Ajax provided for him (1214).Ajaxs pride in his might is such that he is unable to weigh the effect of his actions on others, and se es everyone else as less than himself (even king Odysseus). Furthermore, we see that it is selfish pride and arrogance that instigates Athena against him, as he spoke arrogantly against her, which is not befitting of his place as a mortal. The messenger reveals that Ajax, even at his commencement going forth from home, was found foolish (760), and when his father encouraged him with the wisdom of his years, haughtily and foolishly he answered I, even wi atomic number 19t the gods aid, trust to bring glory within my grasp (770). More foolhardily, he spurned the help of the goddess Athena, intellection that he is mighty enough to win any battle as, where Ajax stands, battle will never plunder our line (776). The messenger rightly concludes that Ajaxs thoughts were too great for man (788). Ajaxs downfall or hubris then is that he is nothing more than an empty-headed muscle man, a dangerous combination of force and lack of intelligence.throughout the play, Ajaxs use of force is misp laced against the poor sheep, in his language to Tecmessa, and against himself. Regaining his right mind, he bemoans Seest thou the bold, the strong of heart, the dauntless in battles with the foe,-seest thou how I have shown my prowess on creatures that feared no trauma (364-6). While we can say that the first instance of misused force is as a reply of Athenas intervention, his brutish manner to his wife and his suicide are done when he is in full