Original Text(~250 words)
FABLE I. [XIII.1-438] After the death of Achilles, Ajax and Ulysses contend for his armour; the Greek chiefs having adjudged it to the last, Ajax kills himself in despair, and his blood is changed into a flower. When Ulysses has brought Philoctetes, who is possessed of the arrows of Hercules, to the siege, and the destinies of Troy are thereby accomplished, the city is taken and sacked, and Hecuba becomes the slave of Ulysses. The chiefs were seated; and a ring of the common people standing {around}, Ajax, the lord of the seven-fold shield, arose before them. And as he was impatient in his wrath, with stern features he looked back upon the Sigæan shores, and the fleet upon the shore, and, stretching out his hands, he said, “We are pleading,[1] O Jupiter, our cause before the ships, and Ulysses vies with me! But he did not hesitate to yield to the flames of Hector, which I withstood, {and} which I drove from this fleet. It is safer, therefore, for him to contend with artful words than with his {right} hand. But neither does my talent lie in speaking, nor his[2] in acting; and as great ability as I have in fierce warfare, so much has he in talking. Nor do I think, O Pelasgians, that my deeds need be related to you; for you have been eye-witnesses of them. Let Ulysses recount his, which he has performed without any witness, {and} of which night alone[3] is conscious. I own...
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Summary
This chapter opens with one of literature's greatest debates as Ajax and Ulysses compete for Achilles' armor. Ajax argues with brutal honesty about his battlefield courage and noble lineage, while Ulysses counters with silver-tongued rhetoric about strategy and cunning. When the Greeks award the armor to Ulysses, Ajax's pride cannot bear the defeat. In a moment that shows how even heroes have breaking points, he kills himself with Hector's sword, his blood transforming into a purple flower marked with letters of grief. The story then shifts to the fall of Troy's aftermath, following the tragic fates of Priam's family. Polyxena is sacrificed at Achilles' tomb, displaying courage in death that rivals any warrior's bravery. Hecuba discovers her son Polydorus murdered by a greedy king and exacts terrible revenge, tearing out his eyes before being transformed into a howling dog. The chapter concludes with tales of transformation through love: the monstrous Cyclops Polyphemus courts the sea-nymph Galatea with surprising tenderness, only to murder her beloved Acis in jealous rage. Acis becomes a river, showing how love can create beauty even from violence. Finally, Glaucus transforms from mortal fisherman to sea-god after tasting magical grass, demonstrating how curiosity and desire for change can lead to unexpected metamorphosis.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Rhetoric
The art of persuasive speaking or writing, using clever arguments and emotional appeals to win over an audience. In Ajax vs Ulysses' debate, we see two completely different rhetorical styles - Ajax's blunt honesty versus Ulysses' smooth manipulation.
Modern Usage:
Politicians, lawyers, and salespeople use rhetoric daily to convince us their way is right.
Honor culture
A social system where your reputation and public respect matter more than life itself. Ajax literally cannot live with the shame of losing to Ulysses because his entire identity is built on being the greatest warrior.
Modern Usage:
We see this in gang culture, military units, or any workplace where 'saving face' matters more than admitting mistakes.
Spoils of war
Valuable items taken from defeated enemies, distributed among the victors as rewards. Achilles' armor isn't just equipment - it's a symbol of being the greatest warrior, which is why Ajax and Ulysses fight so hard for it.
Modern Usage:
Think bonuses after a big company deal, or how divorced couples fight over who gets what.
Metamorphosis
A complete transformation from one form into another, often triggered by intense emotion or divine intervention. In this chapter, grief, love, and revenge all cause dramatic physical changes.
Modern Usage:
We use this for any major life change - 'She had a complete metamorphosis after the divorce.'
Hubris
Excessive pride or arrogance that leads to downfall. Ajax's inability to accept defeat and Polyphemus's violent jealousy both stem from this fatal flaw that destroys heroes.
Modern Usage:
CEOs who refuse advice and crash their companies, or anyone whose ego won't let them admit they're wrong.
Sacrifice
Killing someone or something valuable to honor the dead or appease the gods. Polyxena's death at Achilles' tomb shows how the living pay debts to fallen heroes.
Modern Usage:
We still 'sacrifice' for the dead through memorial donations, military honors, or giving up things to honor someone's memory.
Divine justice
The idea that the gods will eventually punish wrongdoing, even if human courts fail. Hecuba's transformation into a dog after her revenge shows how violence begets more violence.
Modern Usage:
The belief that 'what goes around comes around' or karma will catch up with bad people.
Characters in This Chapter
Ajax
Tragic hero
A brutally honest warrior who argues he deserves Achilles' armor based on battlefield courage and noble birth. When the Greeks choose Ulysses instead, his pride cannot survive the humiliation and he kills himself.
Modern Equivalent:
The hardworking employee who does everything right but gets passed over for promotion by the smooth-talking coworker
Ulysses
Clever manipulator
Uses eloquent speeches and strategic thinking to win Achilles' armor over Ajax's brute force arguments. Represents the power of words and cunning over traditional warrior values.
Modern Equivalent:
The charismatic politician who wins elections through speeches rather than actual accomplishments
Hecuba
Grieving mother turned avenger
Former queen of Troy who discovers her son's murder and exacts brutal revenge by clawing out the killer's eyes. Her transformation into a howling dog shows how grief can make us lose our humanity.
Modern Equivalent:
The mother who goes full vigilante when the system fails to protect her children
Polyxena
Brave victim
Trojan princess sacrificed at Achilles' tomb who faces death with such courage that even her killers admire her. Shows that dignity in death can be its own form of victory.
Modern Equivalent:
The terminal patient who faces their diagnosis with grace and becomes an inspiration to others
Polyphemus
Lovesick monster
The giant Cyclops who tries to woo the sea-nymph Galatea with surprisingly tender words, but murders her lover Acis in jealous rage when she rejects him.
Modern Equivalent:
The 'nice guy' who turns violent when his romantic interest chooses someone else
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when justified anger is transforming you into someone you wouldn't respect.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel morally superior in your anger—pause and ask if your response is proportional to the actual harm done.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It is safer for him to contend with artful words than with his right hand"
Context: Ajax argues that Ulysses prefers talking to fighting when competing for Achilles' armor
This reveals the fundamental conflict between old-school warriors who value action and new-style leaders who win through persuasion. Ajax sees Ulysses' eloquence as cowardice, not recognizing that times are changing.
In Today's Words:
He's all talk because he can't actually do the work
"Let my blood not be shed in vain, but let some memorial of me remain"
Context: Ajax's final words before killing himself with Hector's sword
Even in death, Ajax thinks about legacy and being remembered. His blood becoming a flower shows that even failed heroes can create something beautiful from their pain.
In Today's Words:
I want my death to mean something - don't let people forget me
"I go to death more willingly than I would go to marriage"
Context: Facing sacrifice at Achilles' tomb, she chooses dignity over begging for life
Polyxena transforms victimhood into agency by embracing her fate. She refuses to let her killers see her as weak, claiming power in the only way available to her.
In Today's Words:
I'd rather die on my own terms than live as someone's prisoner
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Righteous Rage - When Justice Becomes Destruction
When justified anger at real injustice grows so consuming that it transforms the victim into the very evil they originally opposed.
Thematic Threads
Pride
In This Chapter
Ajax's noble pride becomes suicidal when challenged by defeat, showing how positive traits become destructive under pressure
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters - pride now shown as potentially fatal rather than just transformative
In Your Life:
You might see this when your professional reputation feels threatened and you consider extreme responses rather than strategic ones.
Justice
In This Chapter
Hecuba's quest for justice against her son's murderer transforms her into a monster, showing how pursuing righteousness can corrupt
Development
Introduced here as a central theme - justice as potentially corrupting force
In Your Life:
You might see this when fighting for what's right in your family or workplace becomes more important than maintaining relationships.
Transformation
In This Chapter
Multiple characters transform through emotional extremes - Ajax to flower, Hecuba to dog, Acis to river, Glaucus to sea-god
Development
Continues from all previous chapters but now shows transformation as response to trauma and intense emotion
In Your Life:
You might see this in how major life crises fundamentally change who you are, for better or worse.
Power
In This Chapter
Ulysses wins through rhetorical skill over Ajax's honest valor, showing how smooth talking often defeats genuine merit
Development
Continues theme of power dynamics - now showing how persuasion trumps authentic virtue
In Your Life:
You might see this when the most qualified person gets passed over for promotion in favor of the best interviewer.
Love
In This Chapter
Polyphemus shows unexpected tenderness toward Galatea while Acis demonstrates love's power to create beauty from violence
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters - love now shown as capable of both extreme gentleness and creative transformation
In Your Life:
You might see this in how love makes you vulnerable to both incredible tenderness and devastating jealousy.
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Thomas's story...
Thomas and his colleague Jake both applied for creative director when their boss retired. Thomas has been there five years, knows every client, stays late fixing other people's mistakes. Jake arrived two years ago with an MBA and a gift for presentations. At the announcement meeting, Jake gets the promotion. The reasoning? 'Leadership presence and strategic vision.' Thomas watches Jake stumble through basic questions about ongoing projects. That night, Thomas starts documenting every mistake Jake makes, every client Jake doesn't understand, every time Thomas has to clean up Jake's mess. He builds a case, plans to take it to upper management. His girlfriend notices he's becoming someone else—bitter, obsessed, rehearsing grievances instead of sleeping. 'You're right about Jake,' she says, 'but you're letting it eat you alive.' Thomas realizes he's spending more energy proving Jake's incompetence than developing his own skills. He's becoming the office poison he always despised.
The Road
The road Ajax walked in ancient Troy, Thomas walks today in modern corporate America. The pattern is identical: justified rage consuming the person who holds it until they become unrecognizable.
The Map
This chapter maps the righteous rage spiral—how legitimate grievances can transform victims into the very toxicity they originally opposed. Thomas can use this to set time limits on his anger and channel it into skill-building rather than evidence-gathering.
Amplification
Before reading this, Thomas might have spent months building his case against Jake, sabotaging his own reputation in the process. Now he can NAME the righteous rage spiral, PREDICT where it leads, and NAVIGATE it by choosing growth over grievance.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Ajax and Ulysses both wanted Achilles' armor, but they made completely different arguments for why they deserved it. What was each man's strategy for winning?
analysis • surface - 2
Ajax couldn't handle losing the debate to Ulysses, even though both men were heroes. What turned his disappointment into something deadly?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about Hecuba's transformation after finding her son murdered. Where do you see this same pattern today - someone who starts with justified anger but becomes consumed by it?
application • medium - 4
When you feel genuinely wronged by someone, how do you keep your justified anger from taking over your whole life?
application • deep - 5
Both Ajax and Hecuba had real reasons to be furious, but their rage ultimately destroyed them. What does this suggest about the difference between being right and being wise?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Righteousness Temperature
Think of a recent situation where you felt genuinely wronged - at work, in a relationship, or dealing with an institution. Write down what happened and how you responded. Now imagine Ajax and Hecuba giving you advice about your situation. What would each character tell you to do, and why would their advice be dangerous to follow?
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between feeling justified and acting wisely
- •Consider how long you've been rehearsing this grievance in your mind
- •Ask whether your response matches the actual size of the harm done
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were absolutely right about being wronged, but your response made things worse. What would you do differently now, knowing what you know about the righteousness trap?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14: Love, Transformation, and Divine Ascension
Moving forward, we'll examine unrequited love can lead to destructive obsession and the importance of recognizing when to let go, and understand the power of persistence and authentic connection over deception in building meaningful relationships. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.