Great Books Ep 72. Sophocles - Ajax. The Unseen Mental Health Struggles of Executives

Executives today face a lot more stress than in the past - the world is incredibly complex, there are expectations to keep updated on myriads of things, and work in hostile situations constantly.

Photo by Francisco Moreno on Unsplash

“To look on self-wrought woes, when no other hath had a hand therein—this lays sharp pangs to the soul.”

~ ‘Ajax’ by Sophocles (Richard. C. Jebb translation. p145)

Brief Summary

The play opens in front of Ajax’s tent, where Ulysses is seen investigating the slaughter of Greek cattle. He suspects Ajax. He hears Athena, who compliments him and tells him that what he suspects is true. She says Ajax had set out to kill the chiefs, but Athena caused him to hallucinate, and he killed the cattle, thinking that they were Greek leaders.

A chorus of Ajax’s sailor friends wonders who has been creating rumour that Ajax slaughtered cattle, and they suspect Ulysses. Tecmessa, Ajax’s concubine, says it is not a rumor, but Ajax had indeed killed the animals, saying he was driven mad by the gods. Ajax regains his sanity and is horrified by what he has done. Tecmessa and the Chorus try to pacify him. He appears pacified and tells them he is going to the seashore to purify himself. But when he is there, he falls on his sword that Hector had gifted him and commits suicide.

Ajax’s brother Teucer comes in and prepares to give him an honorable burial. Menelaus comes in and forbids the burial, saying Ajax is a traitor. After a heated argument, he leaves. Then Agamemnon comes in, berating and threatening Teucer, but Teucer defends Ajax’s courage and honor and stands his ground. Ulysses comes in and pacifies Agamemnon, saying Ajax’s bravery and service in life outweigh his recent actions. Agamemnon agrees and allows the funeral to happen.

My Thoughts

I was taken aback when I read the passage about Ajax committing suicide. I flipped through the pages to see if the play had ended. Ajax was mentioned many times in The Iliad as a hero of towering strength that the Trojans feared. He was second only to Achilles in fighting prowess and had fought Hector single-handedly. Hector gifted his sword to him out of respect when the fight ended in a draw. I went back to the passage in The Odyssey (Book 11) where Ulysses meets Ajax, who is upset with him even in Hades. There was the mention of him losing the contest for Achilles’ armor and that losing him after he died was a big blow to their fighting power, but there was no mention of suicide.

I was thinking of first writing about mental health issues that people face today, and even when someone has mental health issues, their close friends would stick by them and blame the state on someone else. The number one thing that everyone blames today that causes mental instability in people is social media. The constant scrolling (doom-scrolling) feeding one’s brain with videos and short posts are blamed to cause not only attention deficit disorder but also dopamine rush and crash. In fact, the Surgeon General of the US issued an advisory¹ recently about the risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children from social media. I think there is a lot of talk about the mental health of children, adolescents and youth. What about executives? As I was reading Ajax during this week, I happened to read a post on Substack that had a section on mentally incompetent rulers. It made me think that the amount of stress experienced by executives across the world is much higher today than in the past.

I’m using the term executive to mean anyone in a leadership position leading people. When you’re a leader/executive/manager, regardless of whether you are a small or a large organization, a lot of things that you do play out in the open. Everything is up to scrutiny, including the decisions you make, the decisions you don't make, the way you treat people, the way you interpret things, what you respond to on social media, and what you don’t react to. If I think of the presidential candidates in the US currently, I guess both are facing tremendous pressure. Millions are asking them to step down, saying they are mentally unfit or incoherent. How do you address a gathering with smiles and bravado, knowing that some people in the group don't want you there?

I think the expectations and stakes are much higher for executives in today’s world. If I think of Ajax, his main issue was that he was dishonored publicly and he couldn’t face others knowing that they are not looking upto him anymore. Today’s executives face public failures more than once: Steve Jobs (ousted from Apple), Elon Musk (SpaceX failures, Tesla delays, Twitter controversy), Mark Zuckerberg (Cambridge Analytica, Libra), Reed Hastings (Qwikster), and so forth are a few examples. They are expected to be available all the time, to stay updated on multiple issues - technical as well as global affairs, to second-guess their decisions due to the potentially far-reaching consequences, to be wary of being sabotaged by their enemies or even their peers, to be on guard at all times, deal with family drama in front of the public, and so forth. In a third-world country, being an executive or having some position can place you on the side of ‘have’ vs. ‘have-not’, but in a developed country, what is the incentive if you’re already well-off?

I guess when one reaches the executive level, one is already expected to be stoic and not really let the stress and pressure of the position get to you. Also, in today’s world, there is a better understanding of the human brain than even 100 years ago, and people also have access to more resources, information, and support systems than ever before. But it is a constant battle. Hence, making sure to take steps to ensure mental stability is key to great performance and even survival. What steps? The first thing probably is to practice self-compassion - Avoid harsh self-criticism and negative self-talk. I think once that is done, everything else follows that - acknowledging the situation and accepting what happened, recognizing that failure is a part of leadership, identifying the lessons learnt and bouncing back stronger.

Gemini (AI Chatbot) Response

Absolutely! Your initial thoughts on "Ajax" are insightful, and your connection to modern leadership struggles is particularly compelling. Let's delve deeper into the themes you've raised and explore the play's enduring relevance.

1. Expanding on Mental Health and Leadership:

The pressures faced by executives today are immense and multifaceted. While social media's impact on mental health is undeniable, the unique challenges of leadership deserve specific attention:

• The Burden of Visibility: Every decision, public statement, and even social media post can be scrutinized and dissected. This constant spotlight can lead to a sense of hyper-vigilance and anxiety.

• The Illusion of Control: Executives often grapple with the tension between their perceived power and the unpredictable nature of events. This can lead to a sense of helplessness and imposter syndrome.

• The Isolation of the Top: Despite being surrounded by people, many leaders feel isolated due to the unique nature of their responsibilities and the difficulty of finding peers who truly understand their struggles.

• The Fear of Failure: The consequences of executive decisions can be enormous, leading to a fear of failure that can be paralyzing.

Ajax's story resonates with these modern struggles. His public dishonor and inability to cope with the loss of status mirror the anxieties many leaders experience in the face of failure or criticism. The play reminds us that even the most revered figures can be vulnerable to mental health challenges, and that seeking help and practicing self-compassion are essential for well-being.

2. Deeper Analysis of Themes and Symbolism:

Beyond mental health, "Ajax" explores several other powerful themes:

• Honor and Reputation: Honor is central to Ajax's identity. His inability to reconcile his actions with his perceived honor leads to his tragic downfall. This raises questions about the true nature of honor and the cost of clinging to an idealized image of oneself.

• The Role of the Gods: The gods, particularly Athena, play a significant role in manipulating Ajax's actions. This raises questions about free will, fate, and the extent to which individuals are responsible for their choices.

• Justice and Reconciliation: The play explores the tension between justice and mercy, particularly in the debate over Ajax's burial. Ulysses' advocacy for forgiveness and recognition of Ajax's past contributions offers a message of compassion and reconciliation.

The sword gifted by Hector serves as a potent symbol. It represents both Ajax's warrior identity and the weapon of his destruction. This duality highlights the complex nature of heroism and the potential for strength to become a source of weakness.

3. Thought-Provoking Questions for Modern Readers:

• How does the play's portrayal of honor and reputation resonate with contemporary values and societal expectations?

• In an era of increased awareness of mental health issues, how can we better support leaders who may be struggling?

• What lessons can we learn from the play's exploration of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, particularly in a world often marked by conflict and division?

• How does the play's depiction of the gods' intervention challenge our understanding of free will and personal responsibility?

• In what ways can we apply the themes of self-compassion and acceptance, as highlighted in Ajax's story, to our own lives?

"Ajax" is a timeless story that continues to speak to modern audiences. By exploring its themes and symbolism, we can gain valuable insights into the complexities of human nature, leadership, and the enduring challenges of mental well-being.

1. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/23/surgeon-general-issues-new-advisory-about-effects-social-media-use-has-youth-mental-health.html