Comparing Achilles’ and Agamemnon’s opening remarks in their dispute in book 1, (1.121-129) and (1.130-147).
Similarities in language:
Both Agamemnon and Achilles use flattering as well as slighting language in their addresses. Achilles calls Agamemnon “noblest” (κύδιστος) while Agamemnon calls Achilles “good” or “brave” (ἀγαθός) and “godlike” (θεοείκελος).
The slighting words they use of each other are both in the superlative. Achilles calls Agamemnon φιλοκτεανώτατε πάντων (“most greedy of all”), while Agamemnon calls Achilles πάντων ἐκπαγλότατ᾽ ἀνδρῶν (“most greedy of all men.”)
Both speeches also use the phrase “great hearted Achaians,” μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοί in statements that involve the Achaians giving (Achilles: “how can the great hearted Achaians give you a gift.” Agamemnon: “if the great hearted Achaians give me a gift”). Perhaps the phrase is meant to indicate the generosity of the Achaians.
Besides the similarities in language, there is a similarity in their arguments, in that both envision the source of dispute as being resolved in the indefinite future: for Achilles, Agamemnon does not need to worry about getting a prize now, as he will get it when Troy is sacked; for Agamemnon, he will worry about what prize the Achaians will give him, willingly or not, at some future time. Meanwhile, both agree that the important thing right now is returning Chrysies to her father.
Achilles’ remarks seem intended to reassure Agamemnon, that he will eventually get what is owed him; he tacitly acknowledges Agamemnon is due a prize and doesn’t blame Agamemnon for his disparagement of Chryses. Agamemnon’s remarks seem intended to say, while he’s serious about getting his due, what he really cares about is the safety of the people; he tacitly acknowledges his treatment of Chryses is to blame. They are both making an effort to preserve their own dignity, and each other’s, and do what’s right; but the good intentions don’t rate, and the situation escalates, indeed explodes.
A basic observation about these two speeches is that Agamamenon’s remarks seem to echo Achilles’, and I’ll be curious to see if that situation obtains as the dispute develops.
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