|
Approaching
Homer
“Today
I have looked upon the face of Agamemnon”
Reading the Iliad enables us to look at Agamemnon, to notice who he is, how he acts, and the circumstances in which his choices deserve praise or blame. As one among many Archaic Greeks seeking fame, a place in the story, the figure preserved above, an empty shadow behind his gold foil effigy shaped upon his death mask, this figure may come to life, to speak out once again from beyond the grave. Iliad readings offer the opportunity to bring alive not just who acted in ancient times, and not just what they saw, felt and did. Iliad readings enable an engaged listener to see through ancient eyes, to build on who sees, what one sees; to build on what one sees new habits of attention, to incorporate how one sees. |
