Texts: Esther 4:11-14
Esther was alive around 470 BC, the end of the Babylonian captivity. The book of Esther spans about ten years, between the first return from captivity led by Zarubbabel, and the second return led by Ezra. Many Jews chose to remain in Persia rather than return to Palestine. King Xerxes was a lively man of much emotion, his huge empire extended from Western India to Ethiopia to the edge of Greece.
Overall the book of Esther reads like a good news or bad news story. For Esther, her story starts off like this. She was born into slavery in a foreign land, her family is together, both of her parents die, leaving her an orphan. She has her nice cousin, Mordecai, raise her, however the selfish king is gather up all the beautiful girls. If she does not satisfy the king, she still must stay in his harem for the rest of her life. She’ll probably never be married and have a life of her own. However, she is the most beautiful women in the king’s kingdom. She pleased the king more than anyone
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Courage is not an absence of fear. Rather, it withstands fear. One needs the fear to call it courage. The strongest source of courage in the face of fear is faith. When you place your faith in God, you find courage to face the threats and problems that are bigger than you can handle, since now you are into the only power that can overcome the problems. Esther did exactly that in her journey of faith. Esther feels the circumstances closing in around her and is trying to avoid it affecting her directly, however she can’t. The providential hand of God is bringing her to a strategic position, however all Esther can see is she’s in big trouble. The opposite of courage is not cowardice, but conformity. Esther’s temptation is not just a temptation to remain silent. Esther is tempted to try to blend in with everyone else in the palace, to distance herself from her people, her
...es these primitive standards, she becomes melancholy because she does not attune into the gender roles of women, which particularly focus on marriage, maternity, and domesticity. Like other nineteen year old women, Esther has many goals and ambitions in her life. Nevertheless, Esther is disparaged by society’s blunt roles created for women. Although she experiences a tremendous psychological journey, she is able to liberate herself from society’s suffocating constraints. Esther is an excellent inspiration for women who are also currently battling with society’s degrading stereotypes. She is a persistent woman who perseveres to accomplish more than being a stay at home mother. Thus, Esther is a voice for women who are trying to abolish the airless conformism that is prevalent in 1950’s society.
Based on the Merriam Webster dictionary, courage is defined as the,“mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” In the play, the characters are tested and forced to make life or death decisions, with
According to Google.com courage says “The ability to do some things that frighten one (Noun) Mr. Frank showed courage by letting the Van Daans in the Secret Annex and Mr.Dussel too. Another way he showed courage was when a robber broke into the shop where the Annex was above,
The character of Esther is widely criticized for her perfection as a character, both receiving positive acclaims and negative feedback. Esther’s reserved, quiet character illustrates the role of women during the Victorian period and what little impact on society women played. Critics of Bleak House generally praise the narration and Dickens’s use of Esther’s character, which gives direction to the novel.
Esther was a woman of principle who displayed great hope in a highly patriarchal period. Despite being a woman in a time where women were marginalized, she was able rise to a position of power and save her people from annihilation. She did this through the use of her beauty, her wits and her courage, attributes that at that time were greatly valued in a woman. As a female her story has much to offer to women of any faith, but particularly to a Jewish Women. Though her historical circumstances were very different
...she would end up if she didn’t change her ways. By losing Joan, Esther was able to release her old self and be reborn again.
Esther is cared for by two other woman, inferring she is a person of goodwill and people care for her. Ahsauerus is viewed as a man who is wrong, and immoral based on his clothing, posture, and facial expression. The relationship between the two leaves the viewer sympathizing for Esther as she is seen in a fragile state. Gentileschi is able to capture the agony of Esther by using different techniques and elements of art and constructs a painting that shows a
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (Lee 128). Courage is accepting a challenge even when all odds are against you. In Harper Lees To Kill A Mockingbird, many people, including Mrs.Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Miss Caroline Fisher put on an amour of courage before going into battle for something they know they wont succeed in. From drugs to court cases, courage needs to be put on like a suit of armor.
The book of Esther tells of a courageous young woman who uses her mind to please God. She becomes the wife of a great king and allows for protection of her own people, the Jews. Esther is a great role model for women of modern day times because of her strength, nobility, and honesty. She portrays a woman with power that most women of that day did not have. The story of Esther has empowered women of all backgrounds and will continue to do so well into the future.
But this isn’t the definition of courage. Courage is being able to act in the face of danger or in an uncomfortable state. Being stubborn and brash is the exact opposite, as someone acting as such may danger others and/or may be comfortable by standing alone. A prime example is shown in 12 Angry Men, as Juror 8 and Juror 3 represent courage and arrogance. At one time in the film, they both stand alone against a room full of people thinking against them, but how they act to it makes them who they are. Unlike how Juror 8 sways others individually, Juror 3 refused to act politely and focuses on himself, making others not appreciate him and seeing him as a barrier to
The fact that Esther couldn't really accept her father's death contributed to career problems: she had no idea of what to do with her life, she `thought that if my father hadn't died he would have taught me....`
At the end of the novel, Esther finally see’s a light at the end of the tunnel. She finally realizes that there is hope for her to become healthy again. Once Esther realizes that she will not always feel as bad as she does, she also comes to the conclusion that all the negativity and questioning in her life have made her into the person she has become. Esther finally realizes what her true identity is and she is okay with who she has become.
Courage is a state of mind that enables a person to overcome fear, pain, danger, or hardship. Although different from one another, all aspects of courage involve taking risks.
...eginning to end. For a king such as Xerxes that could have all he desired and saw himself as a god, to love and want to give half of his kingdom to this woman of no noble birth could only be done through God’s power. For it was for such a time as this that Esther was called upon, and she executed all that God wanted for her.
Firstly, courage is a quality that includes motivation and thoughts of an action. Without the action, the value of courage can not be raised up. Though the situation is hard to look