iliad one lostlove;s prize

For this are Phoebus' oracles explored,
To teach the Greeks to murmur at their lord?
For this with falsehood is my honour stain'd,
Is heaven offended, and a priest profaned;
Because my prize, my beauteous maid, I hold,

     Here the royalty openly asks if the heavens obeyed these priests and cursed the Greeks that should be speaking in a more controlled fashion, even quietly as they are being attacked.  This idea os the prize. And heavenly charms prefer to proffer'd gold?
A maid, unmatch'd in manners as in face,
Skill'd in each art, and crown'd with every grace;
Not half so dear were Clytaemnestra's charms,
When first her blooming beauties bless'd my arms.
Yet, if the gods demand her, let her sail;

    Here admission that though the women hostages were beautiful and fare and a blessing as a wife if the heavens desire she return home, may she sail for there now.

Our cares are only for the public weal:
Let me be deem'd the hateful cause of all,
And suffer, rather than my people fall.

    Here the authority accepts taking responsibility for what is happening and is willing to give up the prize who is the hostage to rid  the Greeks of these plagues and wrath.

The prize, the beauteous prize, I will resign,
So dearly valued, and so justly mine.
But since for common good I yield the fair,
My private loss let grateful Greece repair;
Nor unrewarded let your prince complain,
That he alone has fought and bled in vain."

    If one notices the female is called the prize, the idea that she is the prize or victory is there in the idea presented, but it seems she is so awesome that she is a prize sorely given up.  The well being of the Greeks is all the king needs to be pleased.  There will be no complaint.  He will suffer what the loss brings to his psyche alone without portrayal.



"Insatiate king (Achilles thus replies),
Fond of the power, but fonder of the prize!
Would'st thou the Greeks their lawful prey should yield,
The due reward of many a well-fought field?
Achilles then replies that the prize was A HIGHER  DESIRE THAN EVEN EARTHLY AUTHORUTY, BUT THE GREEKS AND ALL GOOD THE PEOPLE HE HAS IN THE FIELD, IN HIS COURT, ON HIS SIDE.