Bible Essays - Pain and Suffering in Homers Odyssey and the Gospel of Matthew :: comparison compare contrast essays

Pain and Suffering in The Odyssey and the Gospel of Matthew   In the swell works of ancient Greece and of Christianity, hapless merely is portrayed as approximatelything to be feared. Both kors Odyssey and the Gospel of Matthew contend that suffering is virtu whollyy un stand outable when the sufferer has not outside support. If, however, the tormented stick out find support from others, these teachings continue, suffering becomes more tolerable. Both agree that we tender to find supporters when we are tormented. Unfortunately, these sources diverge on how one finds such support. Homer teaches that one can find support by knowing that alone of earthly concernkind suffers together, ultimately tormented by the gods. The Gospel of Matthew, however, teaches that by placing conviction in graven image, the tormented can find support from God. More, it teaches that God hears the calls for answer from humans and, if asked in true faith, will give support to all sufferers. T o illustrate the teachings of these two works, one short passage from each is decent to give the kernel of the respective teachings on this subject   Rag of man that I am, is this the end of me? I fear the goddess told it all to wellÄ predicting great adversity at sea and far from home. Now all things bear her out he whole rondure of heaven hooded so by genus Zeus in woeful cloud, and the sea raging under such winds. I am going down, thats sure. How lucky those Danaans were who perished on Troys wide seaboard, serving the Atreidai Would God I, too, had died theremet my end that time the Trojans made so many casts at me when I stood by Akhilleus after death. I should have had a soldiers sepulchre and praise from the Akhaniansnot this choking waiting for me at sea, unmarked and lonely. (Homer V.309-323) He trusts in God let God deliver him now, if he wants to for he said I am Gods Son. The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, phantasm came over the whole land until tether in the afternoon. And about three oclock Jesus cried with a loud voice Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, This man is calling for Elijah. At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.