Anger and Hatred

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

The storyline of the play is propelled by Ajax's overwhelming rage as he turns against Odysseus, Menelaus, and Agamemnon when Odysseus is given Achilles's armor. The animosity he once had for his adversaries is now directed at these three warriors, leading Ajax to plot their murder while they sleep. Athena intervenes, sparing their lives. Upon discovering how narrowly they escaped death, they channel their fury towards Ajax.

After Ajax's suicide, Menelaus and Agamemnon are so filled with spite that they are willing to challenge the gods by leaving Ajax's corpse unburied. It is only through Odysseus's level-headedness that further destruction driven by anger is averted.

Choice and Fate

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Ajax believes he is the master of his own fate, assuming that his strength and warrior reputation will dictate his future. However, he is merely a tool of the gods. When Ajax dismisses Athena's help, claiming he needs no divine assistance, he unwittingly seals his doom. The gods hold the power over Ajax's honor, and even though humans decide who receives Achilles's armor, Athena's sway over that choice is unmistakable.

As Ajax plots revenge against Odysseus, Menelaus, and Agamemnon, it is Athena who intervenes to protect them. Ajax believes he is attacking his former allies, but Athena has tricked him into slaughtering a flock of sheep instead.

Unaware of Athena's manipulation, she steers Ajax toward his own demise. A prophet foretold that if Ajax remained indoors for the day, Athena's wrath would diminish, and he would live. Yet, Athena ensures he regains his senses and leaves his home to face his humiliation, setting the scene for Ajax's ultimate act—his suicide.

Gods and Man

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God is perceived as a forgiving and kind creator. People interpret their connection with God through a cause-and-effect perspective, where good deeds and faithfulness are rewarded with divine favor.

Conversely, the Greeks had a different relationship with their gods. Instead of a single all-powerful god, they believed in many deities, with human interactions marked by each god's unpredictable nature. A person's virtue, honesty, or courage did not influence how the gods treated them. Instead, it was subject to the gods' whims. If the gods quarreled among themselves, they might take out their frustrations on humans rather than confronting the offending deity.

The gods' erratic behavior meant that humans couldn't control their fates, nor could they be accountable for their actions. There were no consistent rules to follow because the gods acted impulsively. Moreover, the gods often had favored individuals and scapegoats among people, swiftly punishing those who displeased them. This created a highly unstable and dangerous world.

The consequences of the gods' unpredictability are evident when Ajax faces his downfall for refusing Athena's help. Ajax is overly confident in his own skills and lacks sufficient respect for Athena's power, leading to his demise. He has no warning of her anger and no way to placate it.

Pride

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Excessive pride, or hubris, leads to the downfall of Ajax. His first mistake is rejecting the assistance of the gods. In Greek culture, the gods determine one's life, fate, and accomplishments. By refusing Athena's help, he insults her pride, leading her to decide that Ajax's insistence on not needing divine intervention justifies his downfall. When Achilles's armor is awarded to Odysseus, Ajax's pride compels him to seek revenge.

Tragically, his arrogance blinds him to Odysseus's strength and worthiness. Odysseus has qualities that Ajax lacks, such as the ability to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. However, Ajax's hubris prevents him from recognizing his own shortcomings in comparison to Odysseus's leadership skills.

In the end, it is pride that drives Ajax

(This entire section contains 147 words.)

Unlock this Study Guide Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

Ajax to end his own life. He is humiliated in front of the other Greek warriors and finds the disgrace intolerable. He views suicide as his only escape.

Strength and Weakness

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Ajax is a powerful and brave warrior, known as Ajax the Great due to his exceptional skills. Yet, his major flaw is his belief in his own perfection. Ajax sees himself as the ultimate hero, but he fails to realize that true heroism involves more than just courage. It requires wise judgment, the ability to compromise, and an awareness of one's limitations, along with the willingness to address them.

Ajax lacks these crucial qualities. While he shows great strength in battle—leading troops, physical might, and weapon expertise—these attributes are incomplete without other essential traits. A hero must have humility and the ability to compromise. He must also understand that acknowledging someone else's skills does not lessen his own value.

Previous

Scene Summaries

Next

Characters

Loading...