Kleos In The Iliad

In a contemporary view of successful leadership, a leader must lead by example, and make no distinction between leader and soldier; however, in the society of the Iliad, leaders rule with a very different mentality. By analyzing the stark contrast in the behavior of the high class when address one another, verses their behavior when addressing one of lower status, a clear correlation between the amount of kleos one has and the way in which they are treated may be clearly observed: the more kleos an individual has, the more respect they are treated with. However, while the vicious treatment of common soldiers by the prestigious may warrant the belief that their leaders do not care about them, due to the differences between modern society and
Rather than being addressed as sir, or being addressed at all for that matter, Odysseus “would belabour him with his staff and shout at him” (2.199). While Odysseus was described to have coaxed those of stature, he had shouted and punished those of lower class; this immediate dissimilarity in address sets the tone for Odysseus’ callous attitude towards the soldiers. As they lack the kleos the kings and the chieftains have, Odysseus treats the common soldiers far more poorly. After his address, while rebuking the soldiers, Odysseus says that they should “sit down quietly and listen to the words of others who are better fighters than you” (2.200-1). While Odysseus had blamed the cowardly behavior of the kings on ignorance, he does not give the common soldiers this same benefit. He does not feel as if the soldiers deserve to be reasoned with like those of higher power do, and thus, doesn’t deem it necessary to explain to them why their actions are wrong; Odysseus simply commands them to submit to individuals who are better than themselves. The role of an inferior is to follow orders and not to ask questions, which is precisely the idea in which common soldiers are expected to follow. This mentality of leader with superiority further also lies with Odysseus’ line to the soldiers “you are feeble and unwarlike” (2.201). This can be directly contrasted to the way that he had addressed the kings and chieftains. When addressing those with kleos, Odysseus condemned their actions, and not their character. However, when addressing the soldiers, Odysseus makes no distinction between their actions and character, and insults them directly. This highlights a hypocritical mentality of Odysseus. Although both the general soldiers, and the kings and chieftains engaged in the same cowardly actions, and are in the much the same situation, Odysseus only blames the general soldiers for their