Thersites
heroThe ugliest Greek at Troy and the first commoner to challenge aristocratic authority in Western literature.
The Myth
Thersites appears in the Iliad as physically repulsive — bandy-legged, lame, with a pointed head and patchy hair. He publicly berated Agamemnon for hoarding war prizes while common soldiers died, making arguments that were arguably valid but delivered without rank or beauty to back them. Odysseus beat him with Agamemnon's sceptre to silence him while the army laughed.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Shakespeare gave Thersites a major role in Troilus and Cressida as a bitter commentator on the futility of the war — the character has become a symbol of anti-war dissent.
Explore Further
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