Excerpt
Table of Contents
Abstract
Old Testament Study Questions:
Hesiod’s Theogony Study Questions:
The Iliad Study Questions:
The Iliad Book XVIII Study Questions:
The Odyssey Study Questions:
The Odysseus Study Questions Part 2:
The Odyssey Study Questions Part 3:
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.
Hesiod’s Theogony Study Questions:
1. The Gods in Hesiod’s Theogony differ to God in Genesis in several ways. The most evident difference is the numerous Gods in Hesiod’s Theogony versus one, singular God in Genesis. In addition, Zeus (as well as the other Gods) has more of a human persona than God. Although God is portrayed as angry or vengeful or loving or forgiving, Zeus has thoughts and concerns God never has, including worries about his children usurping his power, and bearing children with multiple women.
2. The story of Prometheus gives the reader insight on gender relationships in pre-classical Greek culture. Wily Prometheus stole fire from Zeus, in the hollow of a fennel stalk. When Zeus found out he created a beautiful evil, both mischievous and troublesome, to punish man for the price of fire. This evil was woman. This text shows that men of this era seemed to find women a bane to mankind, and that they had resigned themselves to surviving the best they could with them.
3. The main ideas that emerge from the Theogony is that of male superiority, as evidenced by the tale of Prometheus, as well as children overcoming their parents. Although it appears that Greek civilization of this time revered strong, intelligent offspring the concern that they would overthrow their parents is demonstrated in the text.
The Iliad Study Questions:
1. In Book 1 of The Iliad, Achilles is shown as a vain, headstrong warrior of no equal. His withdrawal from the Trojan War is due to his embarrassment of losing his prize, Briseis. Honor is of high importance to the Achaeans and to Achilles, and with this slap in the face from the King who apparently often takes more than his rightful share, Achilles decides to take sit out the fighting.
2. Hector and Achilles are both great warriors, and although Achilles is a more skilled warrior, Hector is more heroic. Hector not only has the sense to gather forces of different ethnic groups to come to his aid, but he rallies his forces in the face of impending death, refusing to give up.
3. The Gods in The Iliad are constantly meddling in the affairs of men, changing the course of their fate, taking sides and even fighting amongst themselves. They visit mortals often in the guise of others, instructing them, prompting them to their will. God, although showing favor and guidance, does not have anyone to quarrel regarding his actions and he does not make his presence so frequently and so apparent.
[...]