Somax Is the True Hero in Ransom. Discuss.

Malouf contends that Somax is the true hero of the novel, "Ransom", through the events

he participates in, his disposition and the characteristics he displays.

Somax, a mere commoner that Malouf has added into his novel, gives Priam an insight

into the world he was missing out on. His chatter, whether about ‘[the] little cakes’or his

‘pretty daughter-in-law’, is always intriguing to Priam. Throughout their journey, Somax

attempts to ‘…fill out the picture’of the ordinary life Priam has overlooked ‘reveal[ing]

these things to him' which help Priam learn more about the “interesting” world around him.

Somax is a teacher to Priam, he teaches Priam many more things, for example, affection,

relationships and the world of the common man. Malouf uses these simple tales and stories

from Somax to not only highlight the harsh and pleasant realities of the world to Priam, but

also allow them to indulge and discover their own sense of humanity in the mortal ordinary

world of which until now he has been ignorant.

Somax in his story telling and guidance sparks within Priam his own sense of humanity.

When Somax is persuaded to speak of his children, we see the different approaches to

fatherhood by Somax and Priam, as well as Achilles. Somax is shown to have deep

feelings for his family, remembering events with great passion ‘I can see him now. Such a

lively little fellow’. Subsequent to talk of losing sons, Priam learns something more important.

Upon listening to the heartbreaking losses of Somax, Priam is then able to communicate and

empathise with Achilles as a father. Through Somax, Malouf also explores the very nature of

humanity, how we ‘don’t just lie down and die...we go on. For all our losses’ and in this we see that

being human, showing compassion and surviving is the most important of all aspects of life, more

so than fame or valour. It is Somax’s experience of fatherhood that allows Priam to appeal

both as a mortal and a...