Iliad 1
I would like to develop a seven-hour module that focuses on five (5) leadership themes in Book One of the Iliad: #generalproblems (i.e., what goes wrong in terms of leadership in Book One and why?), #power (what is power (kratos)? who has it? what forms does it take? what are the symbols of power (e.g., the staff of Chryses, the scepter that Achilles throws down at the end of the assembly)? what are the rituals of power? i.e., what do characters do to gain control over others and how does the ritual work (e.g., the prayer of Chryses, the supplication of Thetis)? #gender (why do Chryses and Briseis not speak in Book One? what power do female goddesses have? why are heroes sometimes described as protective/nurturing mothers (e.g., Achilles, Menelaus, Odysseus)? #rhetoric (how is rhetoric used to lead, esp. Nestor's speech urging Achilles and Agamemnon to reconcile?). #emotion (What are the common emotions that leaders in Homer feel? What, if anything, is special about these emotions? What special emotional problems to leaders in Homer face, e.g., with anger, envy, concern, (romantic) love). Any suggestions you have, including additional themes or secondary literature, are most appreciated.
The basic thing I want them to notice (and this is a lesson I think we get from the show House of Cards, whose fourth season I am just finishing up) is that there are lots of different ways to exert influence/control over the will of others, and these often correspond to particular roles in Homeric society: the priest, the king, the warrior, the army/people en masse, the orator.
Quiz: testing diagnostic SurveyGizmo