Arete

courage and strength in the face of adversity

Ideas associated with Arete

• Bravery and courage
• Not associated with moral overtones or mercy with are associated with christianity
• associated with virtue and virture is knowledge and wisdom
• Something that was publicy displayed
• Something that was habiuated and practiced
• metis and polymetis - cunning
• kleos - glory and fame
• Aristotle said that aspiring to virture through the knowldege and wisdom would allow the person to reach Eudaimonia or flourishing
• time act of excellence demonstrating honor.

Arete and possessors or Arete

Mentor, a wise, older friend of Odysseus, was given the responsibility of teaching and guiding Telemakhos when Odysseus left to fight against Troy. When Telemachus was older, and still waiting for the return of his father, Mentor reminded Telemachus that although Achilles was invincible and spread terror and death wherever he fought he never left Troy but suffered death there himself. Mentor noted how Odysseus allowed prudence to govern his courage and that the combination of Odysseus' cleverness and martial skills finally brought down the walls of Troy

Odyesseus lives while Akhillues dies. Does that signify he has more Arete? According to Homer, though, being a hero involves having four qualities: xenia, or guest friendship, a law made and honored by Zeus; basileia, or respect for authority; time, or honor; and finally, most importantly, arête, or excellence, the final sum of the other three put together and then anything extra. Death, in fact, does not make or break a hero. It is what a man does with his life that pronounces the verdict on him after he dies.

Should we should consider them separately or take the Aristolian concept of virtues that you can not have one without the other. If you were to split them up then he would score high on honor. (Revenging Patroclus and when his sense of dishonor over the snatching away from him of Briseis. But honor is also hubris in that it casuing Patroclus' death at th hands of Hektor. For respect he would score low. He doesnt show respect for Agamemnon maybe for good reason but he clearly doesnt respect his troops either by sulking. For hospitality and order a high score when he gives up Hektor s body to Priam

For Odysseus is appalled by the lack of xenia displayed by Polyphemus but then shows a lack of respect by taunting him and angering Poseidon. On the other hand he is enraged by the abuse of hospitality and lack of respect shown by the suitors. As far as Arete he is courageous, cunning My name is nobody wily resouceful, practiced - probably a bit more rounded then Akhilleus and I dont think his lack of mercy or double standards (Kirke and Kalypso) should necessarily count against him and the fact he loses his crew (although it is clear that it really isnt his fault). Is Odysseus a modern day Machievellian

Accidence and chance

These play a profound affect on one's arete according to Dean Hammer in the Iliad as Politics. Arete is bestowed and taken away by the gods. Wilcocks asserts that chnance just confirms ones allotment of Arete. Vernant argues that to defile the body is to strip it of any outward signs of Arete and bound up with the idea of a perfect body as an ideal and representative of excellence. The Tragedy of Hektor conveys a sense that he was unlucky to kill Patroclus thinking it was Akhilleus, which would have enhanced his Arete and is forced to take on Akhilleus is combat and momentarily has a loss of nerve before knowing that his moira destiny is to fight and probably against all odds die.

Hektor, although a Trojan, demonstrates belief in Greek values during his farewell to Andromache. After his wife attempts to convince him not to fight, Hector says unflinchingly “I would feel deep shame / before the Trojans … if like a coward I were to shrink aside from the fighting” (Homer 6.441-443). This shows his arete and time: Hector is the best Trojan fighter, and he remains loyal to Troy. Hektor also wants men tosay to his wife, “This is the wife of Hector, who was ever the bravest fighter” (Homer6.460), which implies that Hektor fights as a quest for kleos through demonstrating arete. Hektor’s employment of time and arete shows the great effect of these values even on one’s family life. Ultimately he loses so this is a big dent to his Arete

Arete, the pursuit of excellence, was a significant part of the paideia, the ancient Greek process of training boys to become men. This training in arete included: physical training, for which the Greeks developed the gymnasion; mental training, which included oratory, rhetoric, and basic sciences; and spiritual training, which included music and what is called virtue. Arete is not about winning or competition or a quest for superiority.

The Long Path to Arete

In ancient Greece, arete or excellence was demonstrated skill. It was the repeated performance of excellent actions that produced arete. Athletes continued to compete over and over again. The same was true of musicians, artists, poets, etc. Arete became a way of life.

Scholars of elite performance have identified what is often referred to as a 10-year rule: it seems that one must invest at least a decade of focused work to master something and bring greatness within reach.

Heraclitus said, "You cannot step into the same river twice, for fresh waters are ever flowing in upon you." Arete is developed, and maintained, one day at a time.