ABSTRACT
Human passions have long been a subject of great interest. Indeed, fascination with the subject can be traced back to the very beginnings of Western literature – more precisely, to Homer’s Iliad, whose opening line makes reference to the anger of Achilles. In Lattimore’s (1951: 59) translation, we read, ‘‘Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus.’’ In the Greek text, the word translated as ‘‘anger,’’ me¯nis, enjoys pride of place: mh/nin a;eide( qea,( Phlhia,dew VAcilh/oj. Homer will tell a tale of angry passion whose terrible consequences almost overwhelm the Achaean host. He also will tell how warriors become frightenedwhen confronted by danger, how they respond to and 1 in
is to of the lyric poets, tragedians, writers of comedy, historians, rhetoricians, and philosophers.2 My concern is with the last group, the philosophers, and in particular the early Peripatetics, who not only recognized the importance of emotional response but also subjected it to intense philosophic analysis. I plan to discuss this analysis, beginning with the late Platonic Academy, in which Aristotle played an active part. I will move on to his independent views and take note of those of Theophrastus, Aristotle’s pupil and successor as head of the Peripatos. I will not hesitate to restate matters discussed on earlier occasions,3 for I want to offer an inclusive essay, one that both introduces a topic of great interest and at the same time takes note of its many aspects. However, I also will be modifying earlier views, adding a new analysis as well as illustrative material and replying to recent criticism.4
