Rank was central to Homeric Greek society. Although determined primarily by his ancestry, a man's position in society was affected by his aret (virtue). A man of low rank, unless he was elderly or sighted, was expected to be physically weak, unremarkable or ugly, and incapable of debating complicated issues well. A man of high rank was expected to have physical prowess and debating skill worthy of his fathers, and a man's rank could be increased if he surpassed his ancestors in virtue. For example, although Odysseus is lord of a relatively minor island, he manages to increase his influence in the war through his power and cunning. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay This is illustrated by Odysseus' victory in two decisive arguments in the Iliad, one against a man of lower rank than himself, the other against a man of higher rank. The first consists of Thersites' diatribe against Agamemnon's greed and Odysseus's refutation (Iliad, trans. Fagles, 2.245-328), the second is Odysseus's reprimand against Agamemnon's plan to flee ( Iliad, 14.99-127). Odysseus, still in agreement with his adversary, takes a stand on Thersites and questions Agamemnon's virtue, saying that it seems incommensurate with his much-vaunted position. Thersites is a pathetic character, the antithesis of a hero. From its first description, the reader or listener of the poem knows that it cannot make a valid argument. Barely dissuaded from fleeing by Odysseus, all the men are content to listen to the advice of their king, with the exception of Thersites. As the solemn assembly assembles, this comic character steps forward. The miserable Thersites, a hated commoner and the ugliest man of the Greeks, dares to insult Agamemnon, glorious marshal of the armies! (Iliad, 246-254) How, totally devoid of social and physical stature, can he defy the great king of Mycenae and sound the retreat of all the Achaean armies? Not at all effective, in fact. Thersites, whose oratory lives up to his appearance, presents a weak argument to the Achaean armies. He compares Agamemnon to a greedy dog, "panting" for even more riches that he "or some other hero" will win for him. (Iliad, 2.263-270) Thersites sets himself up as a hero high enough to challenge Agamemnon, then calls for retreat on the grounds that Agamemnon is not fit to command the army. He implies that Agamemnon is not responsible enough to be king, stating that it is "shameful" that such a "high and mighty commander" could "lead the sons of Achaia to bloody slaughter!" » (Iliad, 2.272-273) Thersites questions Agamemnon's rank and the qualities befitting his kingship, forgetting that he has neither the rank nor the heroic deeds behind him to support his argument. Odysseus, a man both noble and virtuous, soon reminds him of this. Odysseus displays the power and poise of a great man in his successful rebuke of Thersites. He begins his confrontation with physical intimidation and ends it with a blow from Agamemnon's scepter and threats of further violence and humiliation if Thersites proves insolent again. Using a formula that he will invoke again in his rebuke of Agamemnon, Odysseus, in reference to Thersites' defeatist diatribe, tells him: "It is you who are the indignation [, not Agamemnon's behavior]." (Iliad, 2.300) Odysseus, in an attempt to prevent the Achaeans from fleeing to the ships as Agamemnon had ordered as a test, "delivered him [(Agamemnon)] from the royal scepter of his fathers." (Iliad, 2.215) This may not seem too shocking today, but at.