Biblical, Hesiod, Iliad and Odyssey Study Questions

By: Kimberly Wylie

Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Old Testament Study Questions: 4

Hesiod′s Theogony Study Questions: 6

The Iliad Study Questions: 7

The Iliad Book XVIII Study Questions: 8

The Odyssey Study Questions: 9

The Odysseus Study Questions Part 2: 10

The Odyssey Study Questions Part 3: 11

Abstract

This paper answers a variety of questions regarding several important texts. The story of Joseph, as well as the story of Job, is discussed from the Old Testament. The Gods of Hesiod′s Theogony are compared and contrasted with the God of Genesis. As well as what this text tells us about Greek society during this era. And, Homer′s two great works The Iliad and The Odyssey are also investigated.

Study Questions

Old Testament Study Questions:

1. Just as the story of Joseph is complex, so is Joseph himself. Joseph is an honest, forgiving, and self assured man. This self assurance and honesty is demonstrated each time he interprets a dream, relaying his interpretation to others, even when the truth is not what they would want to hear. His forgiveness, as he forgave his brothers, is one of his most admirable traits, however, his certainty in his dream interpretations, without the use of censure and tact, almost comes across as arrogance.
2. In the end, the story of Joseph is one of forgiveness and faith. Israelite readers of yore as well as readers of the Old Testament today, can use this tale to inspire them to forgive their petty, and not so petty, differences with others and look for a higher purpose.
3. Job′s wife and friends used persuasive arguments to try to sway Job′s faith. Originally Job was a successful man; his life full of wealth, health and a growing family. When Satan took away his wealth, killed his children and then filled his body with sickness his wife and family argued that surely all of his prostrating had been in vain, if this is how God treated him. Towards the end his wife questioned how long was he going to bear this suffering, and Job explained to her that the seven years of suffering had only been a fraction of the eighty years in which he enjoyed good fortune and health, therefore, he would be ashamed to call on God to help him, and sent her away.
4. Both Job and Joseph are heroic figures in that they both have demonstrated faith and courage in situations where others would fail. Although Joseph′s trials were great, and his forgiveness even greater, Job is more heroic in that his personal suffering was beyond what many can even imagine, and yet his faith never faltered. Although some would not lose their faith with the loss of wealth, the loss of our children so tragically may have us questioning it. Then to be taken to the doorway of death, yet not allowed to enter, and still keep a clear heart, that is heroism.
5. The stories of Job and Joseph reiterate that God always has a plan for us, and that we may not fully know his intentions at a given time. However, with faith in God, we can trust that there is some higher purpose, even when we are presented with challenges. It’s really not a submission to a divine authority, but more of a comforting knowledge that all will work out as it should in the end.

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