f the dispute there is little difference of
opinion. The Greek commentator, Eustathius (died about 1200 A.D.)
cites the following legend in reference to it: "Agamemnon, having
consulted the Delphic Oracle about the result of the Trojan War,
received the answer that Troy would be taken when the best men of the
Greeks would begin to quarrel. At a feast a dispute arose between
Achilles and Ulysses, the former maintaining that Ilion would be
captured by bravery, the latter by skill and cunning." Hence the joy of
Agamemnon at what would otherwise be regarded as a ground for sorrow.

The response of the Oracle was ambiguous, yet even out of its ambiguity
we may read something. Achilles, the man of courage, was regarded as
the hero of the Greeks, but this opinion must be contested, and wisdom
must also have its place in the management of the war, before the
hostile city can be taken. These two principles are represented by
Achilles and Ulysses respectively. The God of Wisdom, Apollo, responds,
therefore, in accord with his character, carefully, doubtfully, not
taking a decisive stand on either side, uttering an oracle which itself
needs interpretation. Still we can see that it means a protest against
mere brute courage--a protest which Ulysses voices. The Trojan Horse,
the grand successful stratagem, may be considered as the outcome.

In Shakespeare's _Troilus and Cressida_, the same subject is worked
over very fully and is indeed the main pivot of the drama, in which
Achilles is substantially deposed from his heroship and replaced by
Ulysses. The contest between mind and might or skill and courage, is
what the English poet took from his Greek elder brother in part and in
part derived from later legend. The struggle between brain and brawn
was indeed a vital one in the Greek camp; there was always the danger
lest the spirit would got lost in its physical manifestation. Indeed
the danger of the Greek world was just this, and it perished at last of
the same disease which we already notice at Troy. It fell to a worship
of the sensuous in life and art, and so lost its soul in a grand
debauch.

2. King Alcinous has noticed that Ulysses hid his face and wept at the
song of the bard. Thus strong emotion seizes him on hearing the strife
at Troy, while the Phaeacians listen with delight. Such is the contrast,
hinting two very different relations to the song. But the king will
divert him from his grief, and so calls for the games to s