Wartime Leadership Expectations - Essay Example

Wartime Leadership Expectations Wartime Leadership Expectations The Iliad is an ancient Greek poem that is epic in nature. It was set during the Trojan War when the city of Troy was attacked by several Greek states. The poem gives an account of events and battles between warrior Achilles and King Agamemnon. In as much as the story runs for a few weeks, it contains accounts of earlier legends and the cause of the war. It also gives an account of various leaders and their ability to rally their subjects to war. For example, the story depicts how Achilles courage and skills in fighting enables him to conquer more than twenty states. It also shows how Odysseus’ courage enabled him to survive a war though other warriors died. Lastly, the epic shows how irresponsible leaders like Agamemnon can let down their subjects (Homer & Pope, 1839). Coriolanus is a play that was set in Rome after the expulsion of Tarquin kings. It starts with rioting citizens, who are complaining about hording of by the authority. The subjects are particularly angry with Caius Marcius for his role in hording the grains. The story shows how leaders fail to meet their electorate expectations. It also shows how pride and self-centeredness among leaders can lead to their self-distraction. In addition to this, the story depicts the associated with mixing aristocracy with democracy. It also proves that it is hard for the military to rule over their subjects in a democratic and civilized manner. Lastly, the story contains an account of roles and achievement of various leaders in the play. The author uses the leaders to illustrate how ancient wars were fought based on the influence of spirits and gods (Shakespeare, 2006). Coriolanus In Coriolanus, subjects expect military leaders like Coriolanus to lead their armies in battles and achieve success. Coriolanus led the ancient Roman soldiers to victory against their archenemy, the city of Volscian in Corioles. The subjects adore Coriolanus because he is fearsome, brave in battles and honorable. He has established himself as heroic military leader and because his critics argue that he has done a great service for Rome and he deserves a post. However, his military prowess and pride becomes the source of his distraction. After being sent away, he forms links with his Volscian enemy called Aufidiu and together they attack Rome. The situation shows how selfish leaders can become. Their army march to Rome and create panic in the whole city. However, his mother begs him not to attack the city. He heeds her words and returns home. This annoys his friend Aufidius who considers that act as treason. It is evident that they argue before Aufidius soldiers assassinate him (Shakespeare, 2006). The Romans also expected a political leader who would rule them with law and order. They expected their leaders to guide and provide direction during crisis. However, Coriolanus fails in these aspects because he lucks diplomatic skills. Though he was a brilliant military leader, he turns out to be immature, proud, stubbornly aristocratic and inflexible. He failed to make a good political leader (Shakespeare, 2006). The faults and his disapproval of the lower classes, forced the Romans to send him to exile. The Romans also expected their leaders to be loyal and defend them. However, Coriolanus betrayed them leading to assassination. The Romans also expected a diplomatic leader who was wise and a good orator. Coriolanus fails completely in this category. For example, he fears to face the locals because he is not a good orator. When he was invited to ask for votes from the peasants, he loses his temper, calls them cowards, and dogs because they were not active in military activities (Shakespeare, 2006). The Romans wanted a leader who would provide for their needs. For example, the plebeians were expected to elect five representatives who would advocate for their welfare in the Roman state. It is ironical that the subjects expect their leaders to advocate for their interests yet the same leaders like Coriolanus hoard grains thus compelling the poor mass to starve. The condition forces the plebeians to riot against the authority. The plebeians expect the authority to store the goods and release them later for consumption (Shakespeare, 2006). In addition to this, they are expected to set fare prices as evident when Menenius reminds the plebeians that the senate is a store that keeps food from various parts of the country and only releases them when in need. However, the senate fails in its role as the sole provider of grains (Shakespeare, 2006). The condition forced the Plebeians to take up arms against the authority. Some of them lamented that they have a cause to fight against the authority for they speak in hunger for bread. Their main concern is that the authority hoard and manages supply of grains in time of famine. Coriolanus is thus a failure in because he did not meet his subjects, expectation. Even though he was a brilliant military leader, he was not able to illustrate his leadership prowess in the political arena. This is a lesson for current leaders to realize that, good leadership is not about being dictatorial or forceful but rather listening to your subjects and attending to their needs. The Iliad In Iliad, the citizens expect brave and courageous leaders who would defend them against their enemies. This is clearly depicted in Hector who is strong, brave and loves his family. Hector meets his subjects’ expectation by protecting them and leading his warriors to battles (Homer & Pope 1839). However, Achilles subjects are disappointed in him because he cannot protect his slave girl from Agamemnon. Achilles also fails his people when he causes several deaths among the Greeks (Homer & Pope 1839). The subjects also expect their leaders to conquer other territory. For example, a character is overheard lamenting that Agamemnon is a poor leader because he has never conquered any territory like Caesar, who conquered Gaul and Alexander the Great who conquered the Persian Empire. According to the subjects, a good leader wins battle because it is important for sustainability (Homer & Pope, 1839). The subjects seem to celebrate war. Leaders are judged basing on their worth, degree of bravery and competence in battle. For example, Paris does not like battles. As a result, both his lover and family members scorn him. This proves that leaders were expected to fight and defend their community. Achilles is a courageous and skillful fighter. He is adored for being the commander of the maneuver army. He has managed to take 11 cities by land and 12 cities by sea (Homer & Pope, 1839). He is also the most admired leader in the book. Achilles is also a loving and caring leader. He is a healer and initiates methods of ending plague among his people. He is also a charismatic and generous leader who ensures his subjects receive their provisions. His people also respect Achilles because he is truthful and sincere. He also leads his people by example. For instance, he is loyal to subjects and motivates them to stick to him (Homer & Pope, 1839). Agamemnon is a complete opposite of Achilles. His leadership is characterized by calamitous losses, logistical failures and failed commanding. Agamemnon inherited his kingship role from his father. His subjects expect him to arbitrate disputes, stabilize society, call assemblies and council meetings. He is also the commander-in-chief of the armies. His subjects like old Nestor and Odysseus strives to maintain his authority in order to maintain law and order. Furthermore, they argue that since Agamemnon is their leader and king, he ought to be respected (Homer & Pope, 1839). Despite Agamemnon having enormous power by the virtue of his position as the king, he is not competent enough to lead his people. Old Nestor advises him frequently because he needs counsel. Agamemnon often allows his tense emotions to govern critical and major decisions. For example, despite Nestor advising him severally against taking Achilles’ slave girl, he goes ahead and takes her. This leads to numerous deaths. Compared to Achilles, Agamemnon is a bad leader. It is important for a good leader to have good advisers that he listens to and respects. Agamemnon refused to listen to his advisers. As a result, he went for Achilles’ slave girl resulting in several deaths (Homer & Pope, 1839). References Homer, A. & Pope, A. (1839). The Iliad of Homer. Philadelphia: R.W. Pomeroy. Shakespeare, W., & Holland, P. (2006). Coriolanus. London: Arden Shakespeare. Read More