Hi Vners, if you guys have the time, hope you guys will be able to have a look at my essay and give me feedback. Since my teacher is a lenient marker, I don't know exactly how well I am writing. Feel free to mark my essay harshly and critical as possible. Thanks
”The Character’s sense of humanity disappears when they lose a loved one”
Humanity is described as the quality of being human such as treating others with loyalty and respect. Humanity can be lost through the times of war or can be lost when individuals lose a loved one. In David Malouf’s novel, “Ransom”, the three main characters definitely show a sense of humanity, even though they have lost their loved ones. Both Priam and Somax’s sense of humanity remains within them, whereas Achilles’ sense of humanity gradually disappears when he loses his comrade, Patroclus. Malouf explores the importance of humanity to his audience and how losing a loved one, can affect one’s sense of humanity.
Achilles is the strongest Greek warrior and enters “the rough world of men” where he begins to devlope traits of aggression, cruelty and humiliation. After the death of his comrade, Patroclus, he gradually loses his humanity when he slaughters Hector and drags his body around the city of Troy for eleven days. The death of Patroclus, ultimately drives Achilles into insanity and reveals “...the darkness side of him”, where he completely loses his sense of humanity. Furthermore, the rage within Achilles is “...what torments him” and causes him to “break every daily rule”. Malouf is trying to show that losing a loved will not only take away one’s sense of humanity, but it also has a strong influence in a character’s actions. Malouf also suggests that revenge is not the answer to any battle and characters will only suffer more pain and depressions. However, Achilles gradually regains his sense of humanity when Priam stands before him. Priam’s humble action of stripping away his identity and authority not only persuaded Achilles in accepting the ransom, but “...the darkness side of him,” fades away where he begins to regain his consciousness and his sense of humanity. This is evidently shown in the scene where Achilles provides food and supplies to Priam and accepts the truce between the Greeks and Trojans. Losing a loved one clearly shows that one’s sense of humanity disappears, however, it is possible to regain this sense of humanity and consciousness when someone shows great respect.
The novel’s main protagonist, Priam, who is also the King of Troy, has never explored the outside world of Troy. It is clear that Priam’s humanity remains within him, even though he has lost his precious son, Hector. The death of his son is a catalyst in his journey to Achilles camp to offer a ransom. By leaving “his royal sphere” and stripping away his identity and authority, it has left him vulnerable for an attack. However, Priam successfully arrives at the campsite of the Greeks, and negotiates with Achilles for a ransom. Furthermore, Priam’s sense of humanity has successfully retrieved the body of his son when he remarks, “I beg you... Accept the Ransom.” Here, Malouf is trying to show that, even though losing a loved one, Priam’s sense of humanity remains within them, and he is are able to accomplish an impossible mission. Priam’s sense of humanity not only gains the body of his son back for “proper burial”, but a truce is also accepted between the Greeks and the Trojans. Although Priam’s son falls in the hands of Achilles, Priam’s sense of humanity and his humble actions guides him into Achilles campsite and successfully retrieves the body of his son back.
Priam’s actions and encouragement has been taught by Somax, who is being described as an “ordinary man”. Somax is a simple carter and has nothing to do with the royal families, but his sense of humanity remains within him, even though he has lost seven children. Although he reluctantly accepts his herald name “Idaeus,” he continuously shows great respect and loyalty towards Priam. Somax is not an arrogant or an egoistic man because he is willing to “...take Priam’s sandals off.” Somax, unintentionally, persuades Priam in trying out the griddlecakes, and also teaches him about love and the outside world. Malouf is trying to suggest that even though Somax is an ordinary man, his sense of humanity is able to encourage and persuade Priam’s actions.
In the novel, “Ransom,” all three characters show a sense of humanity. Priam and Somax’s sense of humanity remains consistent even though they have lost their loved ones. However, Achilles’ sense of humanity fades away when he lost his loved one, but he gradually regains it and his consciousness when he is deeply respected by Priam’s actions. In this novel, Malouf explores the importance of having a sense of humanity and how it could be affected when a loved one is lost.
I tried typing this essay in an hour... and due to time pressure, I rushed the last body paragraph and conclusion. So the last two paragraphs might be missing out a lot.
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