first draft Ajax

"Tonight we are going to test how well you understand the heroic stature of Ajax in Sophocles version of the drama," announced Harpalos, the selected leader for the evening. Harpalos threw out his chest as he stood amidst the group of boys who were reclining on their pillows waiting for the discussion to open.****He was a small built child, who had suffered an injury when young that made it impossible for him to participate in the military games. His great intellect, natural curiosity, and often strong initiative allowed him to become a member of the school where he would be used for administrative office work. His limp in his leg made it impossible to serve as a soldier in the infantry or cavalry but his great mind, especially in mathematics, bookkeeping and figures made him a desirable recruit. He naturally felt inferior to the others because of his handicap, so he overcompensated by trying to lord it over others when it came time to demonstrate his prowess at mathematics. He loved to lead whenever he had the opportunity and tonight was his chance to shine before the group, make them appreciate his skills at oratory as well as at mathematics*****He glanced at Alexander who sat patiently waiting for the discussion to commence, then raised his voice, asking," Do you see any direct resemblance between Achilles and Ajax in this drama? If so, explain the similarities."*****Ippolatos ansswered immediately,"Why, of course, they are both heroes who suffer the same exact injuries in being robbed by the same pepetrators, and they both suffer similar fates at the end."****Explain that, please. Anyone else? Harpalos continued. ****Hephaestion quietly responded, "Just as Achilles suffered Agamemnon's stealing his prize from him, so Ajax too suffered losing his prize to Odysseus because of Agamemnon and Menelaus's decision to give it to Odysseus instead of to him." ****Craterus added,"He was also the handsomest, bravest, and boldest of the men who came from Salamis to fight."****"Why does Sophocles open this drama with his having been tricked into losing his mind by the goddess Athena?" continued Harpalos****"It sets the stage for understanding the flaw in Ajax's character that has made Athena teach him a lesson in respecting her pwoer and authority,' replied Alexander. "Also remember that in the Iliad it was Apollo who did that to King Agamemnon."****"All right,' Harpalos continued, "Tell us about it if you would...explain what has happened so that the audience will listen to this story." Perdiccas joined at this point. "Believing that he was killing Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Odysseus, he slaughtered cattle and sheep senselessly, Yes, Alexander, a lot like Apollo had done in the Iliad to King Agamemnon's army, but in this case it meant that he had lost his mind, that he had killed animals instead of the soldiers. But everyone realized that it had been because one of the gods had tricked him into believing that he was really attacking the soldiers instead of the sheep." "Why did Athena do this to Ajax?" asked Harpalos. * Philotas spoke up,, " She believed that he was arrogant. he was too oveconfident and sure of himself."