The Portrayal Of Women In The Odyssey

World Literature Paper – Role of Athena and Penelope in The Odyssey Homer’s, The Odyssey is an epic which was written many years ago. At that time, in Ancient Greek society, the dominant role was played by men and the women were considered and given an inferior position. But The Odyssey was often considered a women’s epic because women played an important role. Women in The Odyssey are portrayed as powerful, wise and controlling because they ensure that the illusion of male success will go on - they speak as men through women.

The role of women in The Odyssey is to exhibit the many roles that women perform in the lives of men. There is a quote that states that behind every successful men there is a woman; to which homer would probably agree. As it was stated before, we can make reference to such quote by picturing The Odyssey without woman in the epic. Without woman, Odysseus would probably make it faster to Ithaca or would probably die in many of the obstacles that Zeus was putting in his way. Men’s position or respect, in ancient Greek mythology, was determinate by the things had successfully fulfilled in their life but no men had ever recognize that such success is part of the role that woman have in their lives.

The goal of this essay is to evaluate Odysseus’s conduct with the nymphs, the sirens, and his wife, Penelope. The role of women in the Odyssey is paramount and very well represented. In fact, there are more female characters in the Odyssey than a typical Hollywood movie would ever have. I personally do not believe that Odysseus was some kind of a woman-hating monster who used women to get what he wanted in life instead his mission in life was to get home to Penelope his wife and son Telemachus but was forced into some very difficult situations and circumstances along the way. For example, when he is almost completely seduced by Calypso and inevitably stay on her island for several years due to lust and lavish opportunity delaying his journey home.

This forlorn desperate monologue given by Aunt Harriett is what truly cements the treatment of women when they do not meet the societal standard. This idea that a woman who cannot produce healthy children is less of a woman is not a belief shared exclusively by men. Mrs. Wender is appalled by the fact her husband has not thrown her out for

Countless of these tearful songs have been written, describing the image of the woman behind a hero’s victory. In The “Odyssey”, Homer transforms the audience’s perspective about women significantly. All of them, whether beautiful woman or powerful goddesses, are occupied by sorrows. Especially, Penelope and Calypso--the two most influential women in both appearance and the complicated relationship with the guile hero. Although they have very different personalities and backgrounds--one is the queen of Ithaca, and the other is a magnificent goddess.

Another evidence, according to Hosseini (2007), “ “...You are not able to think like we can. Western doctors and their science have proven this, This is why we require only one male witness but two female ones” ” (p.390). This proves how

First, let us start with Carmen. Carmen, Ofelia’s mother, offers full submission to Captain Vidal. She does everything that he asks her to do for she wants to get out of her situation. She was blinded by power for she wants her daughter’s future to be secured and she was longing for a man in her life when she said that she was alone for too long. Carmen represents women who are disempowered and weak.

Several instances of strong allegiance to Odysseus can be seen as Odysseus returns to Ithaca and interacts with Eumaeus under disguise. Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, is one of the reoccurring examples of continued loyalty to Odysseus throughout the epic. Eumaeus mentions that anytime someone comes to Ithaca proclaiming “news” concerning Odysseus, Penelope will welcome them and ask for details, only to be disappointed and continue grieving. Even ten years after his disappearance, she shrugs off her suitors in hopes that he will someday return to her. She has come up with numerous schemes to avoid marriage, thus preventing another from ruling Ithaca in Odysseus’ absence through marriage to her.

Euripides’ The Trojan Women expresses the disbelief and hope of ancient Greek women during the Trojan war. The characterization and dialogue between Hecuba, Andromache, and Cassandra, shows the role of women in society during that time, as well as their different prerogatives towards the war and its consequences. Likewise, The Odyssey by Homer uses the main female character, Penelope, to convey the role of women and their opinions towards the social changes from the war. Both texts, collectively, use dialogue to develop hopeful and hopeless ideas within the women of ancient Greece. Euripides’ The Trojan Women tells the story of three women, Hecuba, Andromache, and Cassandra, who struggle with their lives after the murders of their husbands

Women were not taken seriously by men and rarely appreciated, just demeaned and seen as a lesser group of individuals. Their opinions didn 't matter to anyone but themselves. A poll in 1962 says 96 percent of women

The years leading up to the movement were very difficult for women. Women were considered weaker than men, therefore they were not treated equally. Women at this time were made totally dependant on men, and they had very few rights in their lives. Some examples of their hardships include: they were not allowed to vote, married women had no property rights, they were unable to be fully educated, etc.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, women were treated as inferior and there ideas were suppressed. Women’s places were in the homes. They had no voting rights, no career opportunities, no say, no freedom. These retrained women had enough, and so many stood up for themselves and others. Suffragette was the name granted to these women.

Franklin had Eleanor, Martin had Coretta, and currently Barack has Michelle. Throughout history, many famous men have enjoyed great success with their wives at their side. However, while the husbands are celebrated, the triumphs of their wives are gone unnoticed. The successes of women are often ignored due to the emphasis of male dominance and superiority in society. Wives especially are expected to be submissive and weaker than their male counterparts.

Many people are willing to go to the extent of lying about themselves to a man or a woman to impress them. In the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald creates contrasts and similarities between Gatsby and George Wilson. They are not the type of person their partner wants to marry, Gatsby made as much money as anyone could ever want but he still lacked the class that Daisy expected and required. No matter if matter if you’re wealthy or poor, if you become someone you are not others will always find out who you really are.

Along with the belief that women played a secondary role to men in Greek society, the female characters displayed certain traits that could not be shown by the men. In addition, the male characters play the most significant roles in this poem, but without the support of the females in "The Odyssey", Odysseus would not have made it through his journey. The author depicts women as strong subjects, they are real substantive characters. Most women in this poem are treated with the respect and seriousness they deserve. Despite traditions of ancient society, the author characterizes the women as the real counterparts of men, they have real feelings, real plans and are able to accomplish men on their own.