ABSTRACT
In such instances as those above, Troilus (II.i.94-7) recalls basic legal procedure, including determination of the degree of responsibility for an action. What is the minimum requirement of the law before a person can be held accountable? 'Those things ... are thought involuntary', says Aristotle, 'which take place under compulsion ... and that is compulsory of which the moving principle is outside, being a principle in which nothing is contributed by the person who acts or is acted upon ... ' ( 1109 b 35-1110 a 3). Since Thersites is, Achilles' verdict adjudicates, under duress or subject to force, his role is not voluntary. Legally, the involuntary may not be subject to punishment, in conditions where the defendant is compelled to do something by external force. In contrast to the involuntary and vulnerable compelled victim Thersites, Ajax, pounding the railer, was 'here the voluntary' (II.i.96-7).
