Agamemnon is in power, not because he was elected by the people or put there by a king, but purely because he was able to bring the most to the war. He had the most material items and troops so he was placed in command. The people did not necessarily want him to rule. This makes his position very fluid. With no strict hierarchy he must continuously reaffirm his power. Agamemnon does not have a sense of security and overreacts to the priests wish and harshly refuses. He goes overboard and not only refuses, but also threatens the priest. He tells him to “go, don’t tempt my wrath-and you may depart alive” (I.36). He is reasserting himself and his position by showing that he is authoritative.
Agamemnon lacks forethought and his primary concern is himself. This leads to other characters often feeling the effects of Agamemnon’s selfishness and pride. Agamemnon knows that the people do not want to go to war, but does not care. He kept Chryseis though the Achaeans beg him to give her back. “I will take a prize myself-your own, or Ajax’ or Odyssues’ prize- I’ll commandeer her myself and let that man I go to visit choke with rage!” (I, 161-3). He does not care what others want and is almost childish in his egotism. He is a man who takes little risks in the war, but wants all of the rewards to come to him. He says he is going to steal Achilles Briseis, knowing that Achilles loves her as a wife. He will not even take the chance of going down to face Achilles himself and sends a messenger to take care of it for him.
King Priam is a noble man who is respected on both the Trojan and Achaean sides. He has earned respect through his long and dignified rule. He is a perfect combination of self-confidence and intelligence. In Book 24 King Priam is seen as a stern father who has harsh words for his sons. His ruthless words are merely a sign of his deep feelings. He cares so much for Hector and wants his body back so badly, he will do anything for it. Priam’s lashing out at his other sons is simply his way of releasing his disparity and all the emotions that have been growing inside of him since the death of his beloved Hector. When Priam is summoned to get his sons body back he says that “a terrible longing drives me, heart and soul, down to the ships, into the vast Achaean camp” (XXIV, 236-37). He loves Hector so much that he is pulled to risk his life in enemy territory to get his corpse. Although he has already made the choice in his own mind to go, he is careful to consider all of his alternatives and solicits his wife’s advice. This is a clear sign of Priam’s rationality. He does not rush into things, yet weighs his options and seeks advice from others. He wants to make sure he has heard both sides, and who better to ask than his wife. His wife will be terrified for her husband to cross into enemy territory and will try to talk him out of it. Though he clearly has strong emotions during this scene he does not let them take away his wisdom. Priam is a sensible king who has deep emotions but does not get carried away by them. He is an old father known and respected for his benevolent rule, which allows the reader to sympathize with him.
Though it is not clear to the reader how King Priam was put into power, we get the sense that the people want him to be there. Both sides of the army have great respect for him. Achilles states “And you too, old man, we hear you prospered once: as far as Lesbos, Macar’s kingdom, bounds to seaward, Phrygia east and upland, the Hellespont vast and north – that entire realm, they say you lorded over once, you excelled all men in sons and wealth” (XXIV, 635-39). Here Priam is portrayed as a powerful ruler that the people agreed on. All across the world they knew of Priam and how capable he was of being king. Priam’s primary concern is the people. King Priam sympathizes with the people and doesn’t even seem to agree with the war itself. He knows that this war will not be good for his people and is concerned for them.
Priam’s ability to feel intense emotions helps him to understand other’s emotions. Achilles sees how deep Priam’s emotions are when he gives the sons body back. He makes sure that the body is cleaned and anointed before he even lets Priam see Hectors body, because he fears that Priam “wild with grief, Priam might let his anger flare” (XXIV 684). Priam restrains himself when he is with Achilles. He knows that Achilles emotions are running high also and he must not cross him. He realizes that along with the gifts, he must be genuine when speaking with Achilles. Priam’s gesture of kissing Achilles hands shows how sincere he is.
There are many different types of rulers. Agamemnon and Priam are both in positions of power, but very different situations. King Priam and Agamemnon seem on opposite ends of the ruler spectrum. They have gained their power in different ways, and both take charge in separate ways. Agamemnon’s fundamental concern is trhimself, while King Priams is the people. Agamemnon’s rule is very fluid while King Priam’s rule is stable. Agamemnon is power hungry and cowardly at times while King Priam is assured and humble. Others often feel the effects of Agamemnon’s pride and temper. He has a reckless and self-serving leadership. While King Priam is too old to fight, he has earned much respect on both the Achaean and Trojan side. He is level-headed, wise, and compassionate. Both Agamemnon and King Priam feel their emotions deeply, but it is how they react to those emotions that differ. The reader does not feel sympathy for Agamemnon but does for King Priam. To the reader, Agamemnon is a childish egocentric ruler while Priam is wise and sensible.
