In Jaynes’ thesis, Achilles and Agamemnon are “obedient to their gods” and “did not have any ego whatever”.
I don’t think this is really right. Athena doesn’t give Achilles a command that he obeys, she offers him a bribe which he accepts. Here’s Butler’s translation:
And Minerva said, “I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword; rail at him if you will, and your railing will not be vain, for I tell you—and it shall surely be—that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult. Hold, therefore, and obey.”
“Goddess,” answered Achilles, “however angry a man may be, he must do as you two command him. This will be best, for the gods ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed them.”
Achilles certainly knows he can disobey the gods (later he’ll get into an outright battle with Xanthus, the god of Troy’s river). But he can be negotiated with, and Athena successfully persuades him.
It also isn’t true that the Iliad is empty of deceit. For example, Athena later tricks Hector into facing Achilles alone by taking the shape of Hector’s brother. Her idea is to get Hector killed, and it works perfectly.
I don’t think this is really right. Athena doesn’t give Achilles a command that he obeys, she offers him a bribe which he accepts. Here’s Butler’s translation:
Achilles certainly knows he can disobey the gods (later he’ll get into an outright battle with Xanthus, the god of Troy’s river). But he can be negotiated with, and Athena successfully persuades him.
It also isn’t true that the Iliad is empty of deceit. For example, Athena later tricks Hector into facing Achilles alone by taking the shape of Hector’s brother. Her idea is to get Hector killed, and it works perfectly.