Thersites
mythological figure · 4 works · 6 mentions · 8 anchored passages
the buffoon Thersites
in the texts
Orations
The buffoonish figure from the Iliad, cited as a negative model for pursuing laughter rather than genuine worth.
for Homer has said that he came among all the Greeks as a buffoon — but because he seemed laughable to the Argives.
The one only of all whom he reviled, Thersites, even him he says was a clear-voiced speaker.
the man cheap of countenance who wishes to be thought handsome, by Thersites.
Against Ctesiphon
Homeric figure used as a cowardly and slanderous comparison for Demosthenes.
If any one of the tragic poets who are to bring on their plays after the crowning should in a tragedy represent Thersites as crowned by the Greeks, no one of you would tolerate it, for Homer says he was a coward and a slanderer;
Iliad
The ugliest and most abusive of the common soldiers, who publicly rails against Agamemnon and is beaten into silence by Odysseus.
"Agamemnon," he cried, "what ails you now, and what more do you want?
" Thus railed Thersites, but Odysseus at once went up to him and rebuked him sternly.
On this he beat him with his staff about the back and shoulders till he dropped and fell a-weeping.
Republic
A Homeric figure known as a buffoon, whose soul chooses to become an ape.
Far off in the rear he saw the soul of the buffoon Thersites clothing itself in the body of an ape.