When comparing Medea to Achilles they have a lot of similarities. Both characters show they are not in control of their emotions, but that their emotions are in control of them. In the Iliad Achilles refuses to fight, blinded by spite, putting everyone he cares about in harm’s way and committing sacrilege by desecrating Hectors body. This blind rage is very much apparent in Medea. When Jason abandon’s her she is so consumed by her anger she cannot even stand the sight of her own children, ultimately sacrificing them to cause Jason pain. Jason’s abandonment of his family sends Medea into a self-destructive spiral, but I still believe that Medea does show aspects of a hero. Throughout the story the decision to murder her own children hangs deeply on Medea. It’s not until half way through the story when conversing with the chorus that Medea decides to let her emotions lead her actions, and follow through with her plot. This transformation, as horrendous as it is, shows that Medea is not who she was at the start of the play. Medea has changed, her family isn’t important anymore. What was important to Medea is showing Jason she would not stand to be treated in such a way. Medea wants to show Jason that she can be as cruel to Jason, as Jason was cruel to her when he left her. I believe that Medea is a hero because she’s trying to change a social norm that should not be accepted; the fact that it’s socially okay for Jason to abandon his family to exile for a new wife is not okay and Medea will stand up for that inequality. In the play I believe Medea goes to such extremes because it’s supposed to show the audience that when you’re not in control of your emotions even a noble cause like social equality can turn to devilish intent.
I believe Job accepts Gods answer because he understands how un-important his own question is before God. Job cannot even begin to comprehend the divine power of God. So how could God reason his thoughts to Job? Job has learned everything he needs to, and his faith has been reaffirmed by the mere presence of God. I was satisfied by the end of the dialogue. It reminds me of Gilgamesh. It’s not the reward that matters, but the journey. Job’s rewards may have been a prosperous life, but it was his journey that brought him together with God.
I completely agree with your ideas on Job. In the end it doesn’t really matter why things happen to you, it’s what you’re going to do through and, for Job, whether His faith in God was worth going through the suffering for.