Roles Of Women In The Odyssey

Even in modern time, the options and rights available to women are not fully equal to men’s. In many ways, women are seen as inferior to men, but as seen through the female characters in The Odyssey, by Homer, there have been high points throughout the past in women right’s. The women in The Odyssey help Odysseus throughout his strenuous journey back home showing that women had an influential role in ancient Greek society. Two of the best examples of helpful and powerful women throughout the epic poem are Circe and Athena.

Circe is a helpful, magical goddess whom Odysseus meets along his journey back to Ithaca. After Odysseus leaves Circe’s island, he travels to the House of Death and learns he must travel back to Circe’s island to bury a crew member’s body. When Odysseus and his crew return, Circe greets them kindly and thoughtfully

Athena, being a goddess and the daughter of Zeus, has a lot of power. She right away uses this power to help Odysseus. At the beginning of the epic poem, Athena tells her father, Zeus: “‘But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long-far from his loved ones still,’” (1.57-59). Athena helps by showing sympathy to Odysseus and asking her powerful father, Zeus, to assist Odysseus. Similar to Circe, as a “seer” (1.234). or immortal, Athena has a lot of power. Also, Athena is worshiped by most mortal men and women demonstrating that she is an influential figure in ancient Greek society. Athena has proved herself an important figure because the Parthenon was built in her honor. As well as this, homecoming is another prominent theme in The Odyssey. Athena helps Odysseus all throughout his journey to his homecoming. Athena is watching Odysseus to help him when he needs it. She most often does this by disguising herself. Early in the epic poem, Athena disguises herself as a young girl that guides Odysseus to the palace in