Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Polycarp66 AT aol.com]

In a message dated 2/6/2000 4:30:34 PM Central Daylight Time, 
gathas AT mail.usyd.edu.au writes:

<< 
 Yes, I was in fact referring to this claim. My memory fails me on this one 
too, though. I
 haven't, however, heard of a connection between Samson and Achilles. Both 
have the love of
 a woman (Delilah in Samson's case, Briseis in Achilles' case) as a real 
thorn in the side,
 and both meet tragic ends which happen to facilitate a great defeat of the 
enemy.
  >>

But the similarity seems to end there.  The circumstances under which the 
woman becomes a "real thorn in the side" bears no resemblance.  In the case 
of Samson, the woman is an agent provocateur.  In the Illiad Briseis is 
already Achilles' woman and is taken by his superior.  I see no correlation 
here.

gfsomsel