Ransom explores man's search for meaning, emphasizing the importance of listening to and telling stories as they influence basic human understanding and interactions. Priam's anecdotes illustrate the ability to cement our identity and reinforce that stories allow people to understand and empathize with each other. Furthermore, Priam's transition from "child" to man during his journey is facilitated by Somax's narratives of family life, prompting the former to reflect on the human condition, allowing for a greater perception of his own experiences through the latter's action; similarly, it is the story of Patroclus that ignites a human response in Achilles. Ransom suggests that the idea of ​​one's life being a story allows the Trojan king to challenge the fixity of his destiny, as it offers the opportunity to dictate his own story in search of "something new." Finally, stories satisfy the need to be remembered by suggesting that storytellers immortalize men by sharing their stories. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Priam's need to tell the story of his past allows him to reflect on himself, Podarces, increasing his awareness of his identity and sharing This with Hecuba, Malouf reinforces the need for shared human experience, and that stories allow it. The third-person telling of the king's story is juxtaposed with the first-hand account, highlighting that the former involves only the facts and lacks the personal feelings expressed by Priam's version. In disclosing these feelings that "[have] been hidden in him for a long time" the old protagonist has the opportunity to explore his duality, his life as a king and the "ghostly" path of Podarces, forcing him to realize "what it means that let [his] breath be in the mouth of another.” Priam's awareness of his current role increases as he understands himself more clearly as he speaks of echoes of the past, ultimately prompting him to ransom a treasure for his son in an attempt to cement his story. Furthermore, although the old man acknowledges that Hecuba “must have heard [his story] a hundred times,” he repeats it anyway to establish a shared understanding of how she felt and the consequences she faced. The king persuades his wife to "imagine...[that he is] the child," heightening her emotional perception of her husband's past; her reactions to the “stink” that “sticks” and her husband's sudden transition from “spoiled darling” to “bratty” slave are reinforced by Priam's personal and detailed account. His feeling of disgust suggests that the couple has reached a similar level of understanding allowing for a stronger connection to form between the two. Malouf suggests that Priam's anecdote paves the way for his personal growth, and sharing his story with his lover allows for a deeper connection between the two regarding the king's awareness of his story. Similar to the narrators of a story, listeners, too, benefit as they are prompted to reflect on their lives and humanity itself through the experience of another, as revealed by Priam listening to the anecdotes of the humble carter and the memories of Achilles on Patroclus. Somax's positive insights into his family life prompt the king's introspection into his dealings with fatherhood. His family's affection is reflected in Somax's memories, which arouse “curiosity” in Priam since he has never had to deal with the family outside the “royal sphere”. Discussing the “blessed children” and the deep pain that makes “sweat… alI remember” the carter, an appeal to fatherhood establishes a bond between the two protagonists and forces Priam to consider the adequacy of his pain. for Hector's death and, by extension, his role as a father. Self-reflection reveals that the king's relationship with his children is merely "formal and symbolic", arousing a feeling of regret that he did not "intertwine his children" with his "affections". It is therefore through Somax's anecdotes that the king has a newfound responsibility as a father that drives him to return his son's body to its rightful place. Furthermore, the text suggests that stories elicit a human response from listeners, allowing them to connect more deeply with their fellow humans. As a boy, Achilles learns to empathize by listening to the tragic story of Patroclus while "being enchanted" by his companion's plight. The third-person account offers Achilles a relatively objective version of the story, suggesting that his deep connection to Patroclus is even more powerful. The warrior's pity for a boy "with the mask of an outcast on him" rekindles in him a human response that serves his purpose in his future dealings with Priam. Perhaps in this way Malouf suggests that Achilles' bond with his "soul mate" is realized through a story, which has the power to enclose and transform the emotions of the listener. The king, who challenges fate with free will throughout his journey, is spurred on by the notion of his life defined as a story. The text suggests that man 'writes' his own narrative through his actions and choices and in this way transcends (and perhaps subverts) his destiny. Priam, convinced that his actions “follow him in the form of a story,” is determined to define his life separately from his role as king, pushing him to find “something new,” thus challenging his predetermined patterns. destiny with an effort of freedom. The old protagonist, by choosing to write his own story, does not alter his final destiny, but changes the path he takes to reach it, opening a "new" course that makes him a man and not an automaton that fulfills a purpose. Likewise, the king's initiative influences Achilles' decision to temporarily step out of his role as a warrior, so the linear direction of the tale is interrupted by the choice. A fleeting power over their destinies allows the two protagonists to metaphorically 'pause' the inevitable progression of destiny, reflected in the truce between the Greeks and Trojans to mourn the dead before the ultimate destiny is fulfilled. In this way, the inexorable destruction of Troy is juxtaposed with the possibility of “something new,” and Malouf suggests that the intrusion of the latter upon the former is what gives Priam the hope that even in a deterministic universe, where life is determined by for the gods, the opportunity for free will still exists. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The desire to be remembered is preserved by the retelling of a story, challenging the fixity of mortality and thus casting men into a metaphorical timelessness. The text suggests that the tale through oral tradition by storytellers such as Somax, and furthermore, the reconstruction of an ancient legend by authors such as Malouf himself, makes men immortal since their actions, which “follow them under form of history”, are told. Priam's statement that "this story will be the proof of what I am" reiterates man's desire not to be forgotten and that a story has the power to transcend this impeding mortality. In telling the story of his childhood, the king restores his former identity and.