A Comparative Analysis Of Rivalries Between Cain And Abel

Few relationships encourage the motivation to take action as that of rivalries. The struggle to best a contemporary that seeks the same, or a similar, goal produces emotions that inspire rivals to go the extra mile; for better or for worse. In the best of situations, a healthy rivalry produces a system where the competitive nature of both parties influences the one another to better themselves in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Both sides are allowed to prosper and grow under these situations and the result of the rivalry is beneficial to the whole. The contrasting experience arises when a rivalry pits the opposing forces against one another and one, or both, parties seek to gain advantage over the other by sabotaging or eliminating their competition. In examining the relationships between the biblical brothers Cain and Abel, and the relationships …show more content…
Cain’s regret is given voice by the verses: “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold thou has driven me this day away from the ground; and from thy face I shall be hidden” (Gen. 4.13-14). In killing Abel, Cain lost the very favor of God that he was trying to wrench from his brother. Instead of being in the good graces of God, Cain must accept his new fate and instead be cursed and expelled from the land. Achilleus’ regret reflects Cain’s in that Achilleus also feels that his punishment is too much to bear. He resigns himself to the conviction, “I shall never come home, and my father/Peleus the aged rider, will not welcome me in his great house, /nor Thetis my mother, but in this place the earth will receive me” (Iliad 18.330-332). His regret at causing the death of his friend causes Achilleus to accept his destiny and embrace his coming death. Despite the deep regret felt by both Achilleus and Cain, they must both submit themselves to their new fates because of their misdeeds and