Justice In Ajax And Menelaus

In the play Ajax, one of the main themes is justice. In it two conflicting ideas of justice are stated: first, that it is self-proclaiming, and second, that it is situational and must be worked out. These opposing ideas are very clearly shown in the dialogue between Teucer and Menelaus, where they argue over whether Ajax should be given a proper funeral and the conflicting definitions are exposed. In this essay, I will analyze how this piece of dialogue demonstrates both definitions of justice, without answering which is correct. Before the dialogue begins, Menelaus states, “I forbid you to join in the bearing or burial of this body in any last rites” (60). He defends this decision by reminding everyone that Ajax had “plotted the bloody slaughter of the whole army” (60). Teucer, Ajax’s half-brother, disagrees with Menelaus’ reasoning and begins to argue with him. Throughout this dialogue, both parties are convinced that they are defending self-proclaiming justice. Menelaus believes it unjust for Ajax to be buried; he questions, “Is it just for this man who has slain me to prosper?” (63). From Menelaus’ point of view, the intent to kill the Greek army was as good as killing them. His reasoning is that he is only alive “because a god saved him” (63). If
He believes that it is completely just to bury Ajax for several reasons. When Menelaus defends his decision by stating that Ajax killed him, Teucer says, “Slain? Surely a strange word, if, though dead, you’re actually alive!” (63). Teucer also makes the argument that the gods would be offended if Ajax was not buried. He suggested “that the burial of the dead represents one of the ‘unwritten and unshakeable laws of the gods’” (63). If Menelaus refuses to bury Ajax, he would be dishonoring the gods. With this logic, Teucer declares, “Don’t dishonor the gods if you’ve been saved by the gods!” (63). With this reasoning, Teucer finds it just and honorable to bury