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Examples Of Femininity In The Odyssey

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Femininity vs. Masculinity : An Internal Balance The Odyssey by Homer tells the story of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca’s treacherous journey home after the Trojan War. Throughout the novel, Odysseus faces and narrowly escapes many perils along with the help of his patron Goddess, Athena. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and craft, serves as a patron goddess to not only Odysseus, but also his family who share his skill in trickery and wisdom. The similar talent in wisdom, deceit, and weaving shared by Odysseus and Penelope allows for a harmonious relationship. Attributes such as deceit and craft are typically considered feminine, and thus Athena, the goddess of these characteristics, is female. Odysseys inherit these feminine traits from Autolycus, …show more content…

Despite the almost constant peril Odysseus faces, he is able to survive due to the balance between strength, a typically masculine characteristic, and his remarkable wisdom and craftiness, feminine attributes. Athena expressed her fondness for Odysseus many times during his adventures. “At the same time Odysseus set off towards the city.
Pallas Athena, harboring kindness for the hero, drifted a heavy mist around him, shielding …show more content…

Penelope’s final feat of deceit takes place once Odysseus has revealed himself as her husband, however she fears it may be a ruse.“Take it out now, sturdy bed that it is,and spread it deep with fleece, blankets and lustrous throws to keep him warm.” (Homer 23.200-203)
Penelope instructs Eurycleia, a servant, to remove the great bed belonging to Penelope and Odysseus, all the while knowing that if Odysseus really is who he claims to be, he will object due to the fact that the headboard of the bed is a tree trunk, rooted deep into the earth. Penelope, while not possessing the same physical strength as Odysseus, rivals even him in terms of wisdom and guile, making Penelope and Odysseus a perfect match. Autolycus, the grandfather of Odysseus on his mother’s side, plays a major role in the development of Odysseus. Autolycus even goes as far to name Odysseus, a major part of a person’s identity. By having this tremendous influence on Odysseus’s identity, he is also responsible for the feminine characteristics that define Odysseus.
“give the boy the name I tell you now. Just as

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