Hesiod & Homer's Ideal Person & Justice

2008 Words9 Pages
Second Reflective Essay This reflective essay will discuss my thoughts of how Hesiod differs from Homer in his conceptions of the ideal person and justice. I will begin by discussing the differences in how Hesiod’s conception of the ideal person differed from Homer’s. I will then discuss how Hesiod’s conception of justice differed from Homer’s. Hesiod’s view of the ideal person seems to be based on living as a common person or even a peasant compared to Homer’s royal like characters such as heroes, kings and famous men and their actions. I believe that Hesiod’s Works and Days appears to be written on a personal level and reiterates what I believe to e his concept of the ideal person by writing about how men should conduct themselves properly. In my opinion, Hesiod believed that the ideal person would abstain from injustice, work with the seasons and their patterns, and use wholesome competition to make the best of what they had. For example, in Works and Days he writes …for a man grows eager to work when he considers his neighbour, a rich man who hastens to plough and plant and put his house in good order; and neighbour vies with is neighbour as he hurries after wealth. This Strife is wholesome for men.” (11. 11-24) I believe that Hesiod is saying that healthy competition is good behavior for the ideal person; it prevents idleness and is a path to attaining wealth which prevents poverty According to Hesiod an ideal person should be ashamed of poverty. In Works and Days he criticizes and describes idleness as shameful. He portrays the shame of poverty stricken people from idleness by writing Both gods and men are angry with a man who lives idle, for in nature he is like the stingless drones who waste the labour of the bees, eating without working; but let it be your care to order your work properly, that in the right season your barns may be full of victual.
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