Last update May 12, 2001. Notes by Linda Monyak

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Topics

Some general notes on the characters of Esther

Some Definitions of Irony

King Ahasuerus

Mordecai

Esther

Haman

Some general notes on the characters of Esther

uCaricatures / Cartoon Characters

uExhibit wooden character traits which are amplified for story

uException is Esther who does develop and grow

uCharacters are manipulated to achieve ironic effect

Some Definitions of Irony

uThe use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning

uAn expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning

uA literary style employing contrasts between apparent and intended meaning for humorous and rhetorical effect

uIncongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs (from The American Heritage Dictionary)

King Ahasuerus

u"Question authority"  is key to understanding the role this character plays

uForgetful bumbler

uUses power ineffectually - his law promotes anarchy

-Banquet guests ordered to drink wine "as each one desired" (Esth 1:8). 

-Haman ordered to "do with them (the Jews) as it seems good to you" (Esth 3:11). 

-Response to Esther's first banquet invitation is "Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther desires" (Esth 5:5). 

-Orders Esther and Haman to "write as you please" concerning the plight of the Jews (Esth 8:8)

uLusts for greater wealth 

-Note display of wealth in ch. 1

-Accepts Haman's bribe (Esth 3:9-11)

uIncapable of controlling anger

-Anger at Vashti in Esth 1:12 leads to the law which essentially gives Vashti what she wants 

-Anger at Haman when Esther exposes his plan leads to Haman's death as well as thousands of others (Esth 7:7)

uPoor memory leads to poor decisions

-Memory of reasons for Vashti's absence and consequences of his own actions comes late (Esth 2:1f)

-Mordecai saves the life of the king, but Haman is rewarded and the king has to be reminded of this (Esth 2:22-3:1, 6:1-3)

Mordecai

uVirtuous foil to King Ahasuerus and Haman

uAdopted and cared for his cousin Esther - Accords well with biblical injunctions to care for the poor, the widow and the orphan (Esth 2:7, Deut 24:14-15,17-22)

uDemonstrates trustworthiness by revealing the plot to kill the king (Esth 2:21-22)

uMourns for the plight of his people (Esth 4:1)

Esther 

uOnly character to show signs of development and maturation

uInitially a passive young woman who allows others to direct her life 

-Adopted (Esth 2:7)

-“Gathered with the other young women” (Esth 2:8)

-“Taken into the king's palace and placed in the custody of Hegai” (Esth 2:8)

-Obedient to Mordecai

uKnows how to please others

-“The girl pleased him (Hegai) and won his favor” (Esth 2:9)

-“She won his (the king's) favor and devotion” (Esth 2:17)

-Wins king's favor even when she approaches the king unbidden (Esth 5:2)

uPublic mourning of Mordecai provokes a change in Esther who becomes, not angry like the king, but distressed (Esth 4:4)

-Esther begins to realistically assess situations and take appropriate action

-She sends clothes to Mordecai (Esth 4:4)

-Calls Hathach and orders him to begin investigation (Esth 4:5) After hearing Hathach's report, she gives an order for Mordecai (Esth 4:10, 17) (contrast with the king who must ask his advisors, “What do I do now?”)

-Esther's statement regarding Persian law on approaching the king often seen as example of feeble female whining - omits what the text tells us - Esther factually states what the law is (without consultation), she realistically grasps both its potential dangers and possibilities, she acts despite a realistic fear of death (Esth 4:11, 16)

uUnderstands the importance of timing - Esther's real request does not come out until the second banquet after the king has already stated she can have up to half the kingdom (Esth 5:3)

uUnderstands the importance of wording 

-Esther asks first for her own life, then the lives of her people (Esth 7:3-4) - this is not selfishness but perceptivity - everything placed in context of a loss to the king who sees all his subjects as property

-Esther knows to place all suggestions in the context of  pleasing the king (Esth 8:5) - King responds with "You may write as you please" (Esth 8:8)

uUnderstands proper delegation

-Designates Mordecai as the caretaker of Haman's estate (Esth 8:1-2)

-Fixes the practices of Purim (Esth 9:32)

Haman

uVillain who is granted undeserved honor and authority in contrast to Mordecai who deserves recognition for saving the king's life, but receives nothing (Esth 3:1)

uFall is as rapid and as his rise

uLoses  authority to act once Mordecai has been honored - eunachs "hurried Haman off to the banquet" (Esth 6:14)

uResembles the king

-Anger controls Haman - infuriated with Mordecai's lack of respect (Esth 3:5) disproportionate desire to kill all the Jews (Esth 3:6) also Esth 5:9(Note:  Esth 5:10 says Haman restrained himself - Did he?  Is this irony?)

-Seeks and without questioning follows the advice of his wife and Zeresh (Esth 5:14)

uNot law-abiding - hands out bribes (Esth 3:11)

uSelf-centered and covetous of the king's throne (Esth 6:6f)