Topic > Achilles and Job as Comparative Characters of the Iliad

Throughout human history, people have been infatuated with the role of the "hero." The concept that someone would be willing to risk life and limb for someone else never ceases to amaze. Just take a trip to Washington, D.C. The monuments and memorials to Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Washington himself have levitated these individuals to the status of demigods in this country. This idea of ​​the hero spreads into the realm of sport, with statues of great players and coaches outside stadium gates, inviting all to behold their glory. The heroic concept is not new, in fact it has existed since the beginning of recorded history. Obvious heroes like Achilles, endowed with unsurpassed anger and fighting ability, often overshadow "lesser" ones, such as the submissive and resolute Job. The idea behind the hero is one that dominates the way we see the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Achilles was a man wrapped in a legendary tale. He was the son of a god and immortal except in the heel. He is described as "strong, fast, and god-like" (Book I, line 129). His skill in battle was unmatched by anything except his fury. The first lines of Homer's Iliad concern the famous character of Achilles and are as follows: “Anger: sing; Goddess, the fury of Achilles, black and murderous, which cost the Greeks incalculable pain" (Book I, lines 1-3). When he fought, he turned the tide of the battle in favor of the Greeks. When he didn't, the Trojans had the upper hand. Odysseus even goes so far as to say "It is doubtful whether we can save the ships without your (Achilles') strength" (Book IX, line 234). Achilles is a hero because of his ability to win battles. He is famous for his infamous anger which has been the downfall of many men. He cares little about anything except his own glory. And even today he is remembered as a legend and a hero. Achilles is remembered for what he accomplished. On the other hand, Job is remembered more for what he didn't do. That is, to disobey and dishonor God. He was “blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil” (Job 1:1). He was as holy a man as one could be. He was also surrounded by all the physical things a man could want: a large family, abundant land, and thousands of slaves and working animals. Suddenly, God took everything away from him. When Job heard the news, what did he do? The Bible says that “he arose, tore his cloak, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will go. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; Praise be to the name of the Lord"" (Job 1,20-21). Job could have rebelled against God, but instead he submitted. In the next chapter, Job confronts his wife after painful sores break out all over his body. She tells her husband to curse God and then die. He calmly replies: “You are talking like a foolish woman. Will we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). Once again he is given the opportunity to react in anger against God, and once again he refuses. Many people today would not see Job as a hero, but in reality it takes the greatest hero of all to be able to submit to things that no one understands. Although both Job and Achilles are heroes, they are extremely different. Achilles was a man of action. He invoked fear upon his enemies, for the Trojans were "forwarded, indeed, that Achilles, after a long absence, had returned" (Book XVIII, line 264-265). He fought with passion and vigor and cut down the soldiers en masse. He was also wild and reckless. Job was a much quieter man. He never killed anyone or won any battle. Yet he loved his God with the same passion and.