Rethinking Unresolved Issues II

Ajax went to his doom, his ire toward Odysseus unquenched and issues unresolved. Death appears indiscriminate at times, not caring whether a person has made peace with others in his or her life. Death takes those who are in harmony with others and also those who are not. A student might be angry with a person for dying. The goblins that can plague a teen who has experienced a death under these circumstances are known as Bitterness and Resentment.

This can be particularly difficult in cases of suicide or drug overdose—situations that could have been avoided. But whatever the circumstances, the question remains, Can the living make peace with the dead?

Rethinking Unresolved Issues

As Odysseus encountered the ghosts of great and mighty figures throughout history, one stood out as aloof and bitter. It was the red and skeletal ghost of a former comrade at Troy, the powerful Ajax. This ghost scowled at Odysseus and cursed him. Following the death of Achilles, there had been a dispute among the Greek commanders as to who should rightfully inherit his armor. Ajax had laid claim to the armor, but Odysseus challenged him. The matter was settled, and Ajax was denied the armor of Achilles. In a furious rage, Ajax took his own life, knowing that he could never possess the raiment of the mighty Greek hero.

How does bitterness and resentment creep into our lives? What can we do about it?