Male Dominance Of Patriarchy In Homer's Odyssey

The second example in which dominance of patriarchy plays a role and impacts the perception of justice is through the characterization and image of the Furies. The Furies try to achieve justice but an obstacle, male dominance or Apollo, prevents them from taking justice. The Furies mention,

We are the Furies, yes, but now are rage that patrolled the crimes of men, that stalked their rage dissolves – we loose a lethal tide to sweep the world! (lines 514-517).

They describe themselves as seeking justice for the crimes of men, such as Orestes. Justice is intertwined with their mission, but they act on the impulse of revenge. However, in the beginning when they are introduced in the play, Homer writes,

But there in a ring around the man, an amazing company – women, sleeping, nestling against the benches… women? No,

Gorgons I’d call them; but then with Gorgons

You’d see the grim, inhuman…

These have no wings,

…But black they are, and so repulsive.

Their heavy, rasping breathing makes me cringe.

And their eyes ooze a discharge, sickening,

And what they wear – to flaunt that at the gods, the idols, sacrilege! even in the homes of men (lines 49-62).

This is a nasty depiction of the Furies. They are explained in the trial as blood-thirsty revengeful monsters. There is no sympathy shown for the Furies because they

She is persuaded by Apollo to bow to male superiority when he starts to talk about the sacredness of marriage rights as the principles of justice rather than the sacredness of filial bonds. He mentions before the trial, “Marriage of man and wife is Fate itself, / stronger than oaths, and Justice guards its life” (lines 215-216). He also argues for the defense of