Elizabeth Shay December 5th 2010 Literature Humanities PAPER 2

A Struggle For Power The story of Esau and Jacob seems unique, because the names and places are, but the theme of this story, that of brothers fighting for dominance and power, is not an uncommon one in the Hebrew Scriptures. Indeed, it is the story of Joseph and his brothers, Cain and Abel and even Isaac and Ishmael. In light of the fact that sons often inherited wealth from their father, it is understandable why there was so much competition amongst brothers, and thus the reason for the new emphasis in the Hebrew Scriptures on fraternal relationships. The relationship between Esau and Jacob was further complicated by the fact that they were twins. Esaus right to the birthright and blessing is only his because he was born minutes before Jacob. One can therefore understand why Jacob yearns for the blessing and birthright that belong to Esau. It is the resulting fight for dominance that so beautifully weaves together the pages of the Iliad with those of the Hebrew Scriptures. The story of Agamemnon and Achilles is that of Jacob and Esau. The two pairs engage in a struggle for preeminence, and there are striking similarities in their relationships; both experience rivalry, subsequent anger, and reconciliation. The conflict in both relationships revolves around particular things that act as symbols for the power struggle faced by the Illiadic and Biblical pairs. For Achilles and Agamemnon it is Briseis, Achilles prize, who is taken by Agamemnon after Chryseis is returned to her father. In taking Briseis, Agamemnon asserts the authority he has over Achilles, who is not pleased, since he feels Agamemnon is dishonoring

him (Iliad 1.355-356). Achilles decides to demonstrate to Agamemnon the power he wields, and does this by withdrawing from the Trojan War. For Esau and Jacob however, it is the blessing that Jacob has stolen which causes the contention. While the taking of Briseis represents an indirect power display, the stealing of Esaus birthright is a direct act of attaining dominance. This is so as the first blessing given by Isaac explicitly promised that Jacob would be lord over his brothers (Genesis 27.29). The action that precipitates the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon is only symbolic of the power Agamemnon wields over Achilles. This is in contrast with Jacobs taking of Esaus blessing, which is more than symbolic; it will assure Jacob of eternal dominance over Esau. There are underlying reasons for the rivalry between Achilles and Agamemnon, which is akin to the sibling rivalry displayed between Esau and Jacob. Achilles is recognized as the best of the Achaians (Iliad 16.274), a title Agamemnon as leader of the Achaians feels he holds (Iliad 1.90-91). The power struggle the two engage in is for this title. Esau and Jacob on the other hand compete for the recognition that being firstborn brings. The system where wealth was inherited based on birth order, greatly contributed to the rivalry between brothers in Genesis, including Jacob and Esau. The intense rivalry and the actions it causes, lead to anger. Both Esau and Achilles contemplate killing Jacob and Agamemnon respectively. Athenes council dissuades Achilles from this, while Esau is hindered by his brothers escape to Haran. The anger that both Achilles and Esau face is motivated not only by the fact that they have been wronged, but also because they have been bested in the fight for dominance. Esaus bitterness at the fact that the blessing will forever make Jacob

more dominant than himself, is echoed in his agonized cry to Isaac (Genesis 27.38, 41). Unlike Achilles, who plays the power game with Agamemnon throughout the Iliad, Esau is rendered powerless when Jacob makes the winning move by stealing Esaus blessing. Achilles is able to exert some power over Agamemnon, in a way that Esau will no longer be able to. In fact, whereas the Iliad begins the story of the power struggle between Agamemnon and Achilles, Genesis gives us the ending of the power struggle between Esau and Jacob. Perhaps the most profound thing in the relationships between both Esau and Jacob and Agamemnon and Achilles is the reconciliation that occurred. Both Jacob and Agamemnon showed regret for their actions while Esau and Achilles demonstrated their ability to forgive. The contrast lies in the sincerity of the reconciliation. Agamemnons regret seems to be motivated by the desperate war situation he is in, rather than a sincere recognition of his wrongdoing. This does not mean he is insincere, in fact he does seem to feel badly for what he has done, calling himself mad (Iliad 9.116). However, unlike Agamemnon, Jacob seems to experience regret without any prompting, other than the fact that he is a changed man. Achilles, like Agamemnon, seems to be motivated by external factors. He in fact only approaches Agamemnon after Patroklos has been killed; which can give the impression that he is forgiving Agamemnon so that it is easier for him to exact revenge upon Hector. However, his speech sounds sincere, and it can be argued that the death of Patroklos helped Achilles realize the futility of holding grudges. Achilles even tells Agamemnon that he can decide what to do with the gifts he promised to him (Iliad 19.146-150). This draws a parallel with Esaus initial refusal to accept Jacobs gifts (Genesis 33.9-11). Esaus forgiving of Jacob seems to be out of a genuine desire to renew his relationship with his brother, though one may argue he

could be motivated to improve his relationship with a man destined to be more powerful than him. The characters of Achilles and Agamemnon from the Iliad may not have been brothers by birth, but their relationship mirrors the fraternal relationship of Jacob and Esau. Many of the issues that all four faced, stemmed from their desire to attain dominance. This struggle for preeminence is responsible for the new emphasis on brothers in Genesis and is what makes the Illiadic and Biblical pairs comparable.

Word Count of essay: 986