Ancient Greeks vs. Modern Day Christians
Camlien Chau
January 16, 2015
ENG 101
Paper 1
Ancient Greeks vs. Modern Day Christians
The ancient Greeks of The Odyssey had perspectives on marriage, revenge and hospitality that differ slightly when compared to those of modern day Christians. Ancient Greeks had no morals about marriage, whereas modern Christians take it seriously and view it as something that should be cherished and sacred. Another theme, revenge, was seen as important by the ancient Greeks. Because of their egos, they felt the need to showcase their authority statuses. Christians, in stark contrast, are taught to follow the example of Jesus and to not seek revenge. The theme of hospitality has the same views between ancient Greeks and modern Christians. They both feel like it is important to provide tasteful hospitality for new guests and in return expect reverence and respect from them.
The ancient Greeks viewed marriage more of a status quo then an actual bond between a man and a woman. Today’s Christian views have taught us that a marriage should be a bond between a man and a woman. Greeks had a lot of infidelity and polygamy. For example, Zeus had many mistresses other than his wife Athena. No matter the situation, Greeks married in an effort to see who could take better care of the household. Christians were always told that marriage should be between one man and one woman. In the Bible, according to 1 Corinthians 7: 1-40 “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that
January 16, 2015
ENG 101
Paper 1
Ancient Greeks vs. Modern Day Christians
The ancient Greeks of The Odyssey had perspectives on marriage, revenge and hospitality that differ slightly when compared to those of modern day Christians. Ancient Greeks had no morals about marriage, whereas modern Christians take it seriously and view it as something that should be cherished and sacred. Another theme, revenge, was seen as important by the ancient Greeks. Because of their egos, they felt the need to showcase their authority statuses. Christians, in stark contrast, are taught to follow the example of Jesus and to not seek revenge. The theme of hospitality has the same views between ancient Greeks and modern Christians. They both feel like it is important to provide tasteful hospitality for new guests and in return expect reverence and respect from them.
The ancient Greeks viewed marriage more of a status quo then an actual bond between a man and a woman. Today’s Christian views have taught us that a marriage should be a bond between a man and a woman. Greeks had a lot of infidelity and polygamy. For example, Zeus had many mistresses other than his wife Athena. No matter the situation, Greeks married in an effort to see who could take better care of the household. Christians were always told that marriage should be between one man and one woman. In the Bible, according to 1 Corinthians 7: 1-40 “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that