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 great works of ancient Greece and of Christianity, suffering alone is portrayed as something to be feargond. Both Homers Odyssey and the Gospel of Matthew cont final stage that suffering is virtually intolerable when the sufferer has non outside conduct. If, however, the anguished stooge find support from others, these teachings continue, suffering becomes more tolerable. Both agree that we wish to find supporters when we are tormented. Unfortunately, these acidifyces diverge on how one finds such support. Homer teaches that one can find support by knowing that all of valet de chambrekind suffers together, last tormented by the gods. The Gospel of Matthew, however, teaches that by placing faith in perfection, the tormented can find support from God. More, it teaches that God hears the calls for help from humans and, if asked in true faith, will give support to all sufferers. To illustrate the teaching s of these cardinal works, one short passage from each is sufficient to give the amount of the respective teachings on this subject   Rag of man that I am, is this the turn back 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 full-page rondure of heaven hooded so by Zeus in despicable cloud, and the sea raging under such winds. I am divergence 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 burial 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, dar kness came over the whole land until three 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.