The Wrath of Achilles

Abstract

‘Wrath’ is the first word of the Iliad and of Western literature, specifically ‘the wrath of Achilles’. In Homer’s conception, the human being integrates body and mind as inseparable elements, and decisions are determined by bodily impulses. This conception of the human being contrasts with later philosophical views that separate the soul from the body, considering the former a more noble entity and the latter merely a container or prison. The concept of ‘bodily islands’, coined by the philosopher Hermann Schmitz, emphasizes the Homeric representation of emotions through bodily experiences. Schmitz’s insights align with contemporary research on corporeality, which describes emotions as ‘bodily resonance’ (Thomas Fuchs), involving sensations linked to the autonomic nervous system and muscle activations. Emotions, therefore, are bodily movements, in line with the Latin root of the term ‘emotion’ (emovere). Even the famous ‘wrath of Achilles’ can be reinterpreted in light of embodied cognition. Initially portrayed as dynamic and destructive, Achilles’ wrath later manifests as apathy and inactivity, akin to depression. This shift highlights how the quality of emotions changes with their bodily resonance, influencing the perception and emotional engagement of the audience listening to the epic chant.