I think I need to put in my two cents about Thersites because if anyone else has noticed, the one person who is considered a “fool” is actually the only one who thinks rationally. The Greek commanders are so engulfed in their own egos and their desire to be true heroes that their actions fall extremely short.
In Act 2, we are introduced to Thersites whom we’ve discussed in class to be someone with some type of psychological defect and because of this, he’s allowed to say whatever he thinks without repercussions. Throughout Act 2, the Greek commanders, especially Ajax, belittle Thersites constantly. Even though Hector was completely against keeping Helen, he finally decided that she should stay because “for ’tis a cause that hath no mean dependence/ Upon our joint and several dignities.” (2.2. 192-193) His deranged sense of honor (deranged because how can it be “honorable” to keep another’s man’s wife) and egotistical tendencies keep him from actually thinking rationally.
At the beginning of 2.3, Thersites becomes the voice of reason explaining the commanders’ misguided decisions. He says, “Or, rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache,/ for that methinks, is the curse depending on those that war for a placket.” (2.3. 19-21) One can interpret this as Thersites scolding the commanders’ for continuing a war based on mostly sexual desires, which was the role of women during that time.
This irony can also extend to Cassandra who prophesied the demise of Troy if Helen was not returned. Cassandra’s brothers think she’s insane and do not heed to her warnings. Again, someone who is considered “defective” in the play is the one who actually becomes the voice of reason.
The Shakespearean fool generally sees more clearly than the supposedly more normal people to whom he is attached. The link to Cassandra shows how ancient this tradition is. Why is madness so often the condition of those who have the most insight? Why are human beings in general so quick to label those with whom they disagree as “crazy”?
In 3.2. 156-158, Cressida says “But you are wise ,/ Or else you love not, for to be wise and love/ Exceeds man’s might; that dwells with gods above.” I think during that time, it was the norm to think that men could not love with reason. Love seemed to be an irrational emotion in and of itself.
Human beings are usually quick to label those who disagree from the majority as “crazy” because, I think, they are afraid of change. Being “crazy” is almost synonymous to a new way, a new order, which usually is not welcomed by most. To think about things in a different way or to hear a different opinion that you often don’t want to hear makes you throw those differing ideas to the side.
To add on to what Teshia said, another reason why the people in this play labeled those who disagree from the majority as “crazy” might be because of their social status. Thersites is a slave and deemed less than a man so nobody really cares about what he says. Cassandra, although a Trojan princess , is still only a woman which makes her prophecies/words unreliable to the ears of the men conducting the war.