(Im)politeness in the Iliad: The Pragmatics of the Homeric Expression ἀγαθός περ ἐών

Abstract Every communication has a relationship aspect in addition to a content aspect: this axiom of Watzlawick’s Pragmatics of Human Communication proves useful also when studying the dialogues contained in literary works. The ἀγαθός περ ἐών formula occurring five times in Homer’s Iliad has appeared difficult to interpret precisely because scholars have failed to take into account the relationship aspect of the verbal interactions described. Employed as a conventional politeness formula manifesting respect for the hearer, the ἀγαθός περ ἐών expression could also be used in contexts that clash with a ‘polite’ interpretation, thus generating mock-politeness and, ultimately, ‘impoliteness’.