Analysis of God & Job and Athena & Odysseus

Chloe Stoenescu

ENGL 2301

Dr. Grimes

November 30, 2015

Analysis of God & Job and Athena & Odysseus

        There is a plethora of great literature in the world, all ranging from different genres but all equally impacting and shaping the lives of humanity. One writer, named Homer, has contributed to this mass anthology with his genius work of The Odyssey. This sequel to a collection of mythological poems changed the world of fiction writing and was the catalyst to the exciting and popular theme of Greek Mythology. Another book that has contributed to shaping people’s lives is the Holy Bible, with literature in it such as Job. This book explores some of the most profound questions that humans ask about their lives. There is no doubt that the truth of the Bible and the stories within Greek Mythology display obvious differences among each other. However, taking a look at writings such as Job and The Odyssey, it is apparent that a comparison can be made between the relationships of God and Job, and Athena and Odysseus.

        In the story of Job, the relationship that God and Job share is one of loyalty, love, and dedication. Job himself is a blameless and upright man, fully dedicated to the Lord. Because of his righteousness, he is blessed with ten children, thousands of livestock, and an abundance of servants. Job’s relationship with God seems to be the type of relationship that most humans strive for. However, this relationship is put to the test when God makes an agreement with Satan. Satan wants to prove that Job is not as steadfast and dedicated as he seems, and that he would curse God’s name if he were stripped of his blessings. The Lord agrees to the Devil’s proposal and places everything Job has in Satan’s hands, on the one condition that he would spare his life. Throughout the trials that Satan puts him through, Job’s faith never wavers. Job loses his children, his livestock, and his servants. All of his earthly possessions have been taken away from him but he still stands strong in the Lord. At the end of the first test, Job’s attitude is clearly portrayed in his response, “Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship / In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Holy Bible, Job 1.20 / 1.22). This displays the strength Job has in his obedience to God. He weeps for his losses but still praises the Lord, giving a good example of what it means to praise the Lord in good times and bad. The next test is an attack on his health. He is afflicted with terrible and painful sores all over his body. By this time, even his wife is telling him to give up on God and curse His name. Job once again proves his loyalty to God in saying, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Holy Bible, Job 2.10). During this time, Job does have difficulty understanding why an all-powerful God would allow people to suffer, but despite the efforts of the Devil, Job proves God right in that he is a man who fears God and shuns evil.

        In comparison, the relationship Odysseus shares with Athena can be described as close, devoted, and loyal. This could position Odysseus as a little higher than the rest of the mortal race for the audience as they shape perception of him, just as the audience may perceive Job as a little higher because of the bond he has with God. Odysseus is a man of strength, courage, nobility, and confidence in his authority, just like that of Job. He similarly is stripped of his blessings and family when he is stranded on an island after the Trojan War. He desperately wants to get home to Ithaca, to his family, but knows it is hopeless without the help of a god. Although he is confident in his authority, Odysseus views Athena as his protector and himself as the protected. As are most relationships between gods and mortals in Greek Mythology, Odysseus and Athena’s is one of respect. The respect is mostly from Odysseus towards Athena; however, she also shows her respect in book XIII, “‘Only a master thief, a real con artist, could match your tricks—even a god might come up short. You wily bastard, you cunning, elusive, habitual liar! Even in your own land you weren’t about to give up the stories and sly deceits that are so much a part of you’” (Homer 299-305). Yet, in all this, she also reveals her temper by taking a jab at him immediately after extoling him, “’…and I famed among gods for my clever schemes. Not even you recognized Pallas Athena, Zeus’ daughter, I who stand by you in all your troubles and who made you dear to all Phaeacians / And you do have to endure, and not tell anyone, man or woman, that you have come home from your wanderings. No, you must suffer in silence, and take a beating’” (Homer 309-13 / 318-21), but he still respects her and only stands up to her when he feels it is absolutely necessary. This is shown in his response, “’It would be hard for the most discerning man alive to see through all your disguises, Goddess. I know this, though: you were always kind to me when the army fought at Troy / I think you’re just giving me a hard time, and trying to put one over on me. Tell me I’ve really come to my own native land’” (Homer 323-26 / 337-39). Book XIII suggests that their relationship is a constant battle between hate and respect.

To go further in depth, God’s side of the story of Job shows the pride He takes in Job and the favoritism that resides in the relationship. At first glance, it may seem that God does not care about Job when the agreement is made between the Devil and the Lord. However, after analyzing it carefully, it is evident that the agreement is a result of God’s faith He has in his servant. He trusts that Job will prove Satan wrong and never betray the bond that they share. The Lord’s favoritism towards him is revealed in Him saying, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him…” (Holy Bible, Job 1.8). Since God takes so much pride in Job, He is the one that presents the idea of Job being too strong for Satan’s schemes. Strangely, all of this is God’s way of showing His love and favor for Job; although, Job’s friends think otherwise. They believe he is being punished because he is in sin. As James Strahan said in The Book of Job, “An old and consecrated dogma never lacks defenders, and many attempts were still made to buttress the traditional belief which connected all suffering with sin” (Strahan). This puts Job through some confusion, so he tries to find a way to justify God’s actions. However, God suggests that people should not discuss divine justice since God’s power is so great that humans cannot possibly justify His ways. Ultimately, God proves His love and devotion to Job by believing in him and keeping him from the harm of the enemy.