In the leading paragraphs of Hesiod’s Works and Days, the author presents a situation of discord within his family; a conflict between himself (Hesiod) and his brother, Perses. By opening the narrative for the audience in medias res, Hesiod indicates that both parties have already spent a considerable amount of time justifying their arguments. While Hesiod is the only speaker in the story, it is clear that his words are directed in response to arguments ostensibly presented by Perses prior to the story’s opening. In order to show himself authoritative and sound in his judgement, Hesiod employs the authority of Zeus on his behalf. In the fourth paragraph of Watts’ translation, lines 29-62, Hesiod expresses “let us settle our dispute with straight judgements, the best that Zeus sends.” (Hesiod 38). By making this statement, Hesiod presents three primary arguments to his readers:
- The first is that he himself is innocent within the family discord. By appealing to Zeus, he claims that the powerful deity would support him in his position, a situation that would require his innocence and righteousness before this god. Presenting himself in this light, he appears morally above the the situation that is occurring in his family, and therefore more qualified to speak about judgement. However, the audience does not receive details regarding Perses’ side of the conflict, only Hesiod’s perspective which could be inaccurate because it represents merely one part of the whole.
- The second argument, then, is that Hesiod holds a position of authority, enlightenment, and understanding because of his innocent and righteous appearance before Zeus. By calling upon the judgements of Zeus, he is claiming that Zeus has given him exclusive possession of the authority to wield his judgements, and the enlightenment to know how.
- This leads to Hesiod’s final claim that Perses is ignorant regarding the “straight judgement” of Zeus. The position of Perses mirrors that of the audience in his lack of understanding, which they presumably both share. By assuming that both Perses and the audience do not understand the “straight judgement” of Zeus, Hesiod provides himself with a strategic position of authority from which to instruct both of them. It is clear that Hesiod’s censuring address to his brother in Works and Days, is a strategic opening to the text as it renders him instructor and disciplinary for both his immediate family and the greater audience which he wishes to convince.
February 4, 2019