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Women in the Odyssey by Homer. The Odyssey by Homer encompasses a rather
modern idea of women and their role for its time. Homer ...
... The Women of the Odyssey Many people regard Homer?s epics as war stories?stories
about men; those people often overlook the important roles that women play ...
... there are texts in which contrary to the patriarchal society models, women are given
substantial importance within the plot. Homer`s The Odyssey, Heart of ...
Women's Roles in Homer's 'The Odyssey'. Homer?s epic The Odyssey provides
readers with an intimate look into the world of women ...
... The women of the Odyssey could have been treated as casually and cavalierly as
Andromache and Helen were in the Iliad. Homer, however, made another choice. ...
Submitted by tmewrpagn on February 3, 2008
Category: Miscellaneous
Words: 656 | Pages: 3
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The Odyssey by Homer encompasses a rather modern idea of women and their role for its time. Homer portrays women as creatures who are strong but are ultimately defeated. It is true that in most stories they are portrayed as being weaker, but the women in this poem are oddly strong or have a very strong presence. The three main examples are Calypso, Athena, and the Lotus Flower. Each of these examples has a predominant presence in The Odyssey making them sturdy objects.
At first the goddess Calypso presents a strong force in the very beginning of the poem. “Calypso, Atlas’s daughter, keeps the sad Odysseus” (Book I) “in her grotto” (Book V). The “godlike Odysseus” is the source of the masculine power in this book and for him to be held against his will is a statement that men are not omnipotent in the world; evermore of a statement is the fact that he is held by a woman, the inferior gender. The reason that The Odyssey is a masculine power story and not a feminine is because eventually, Calypso is forced to relinquish Odysseus under the orders of the god Zeus. Hermes, the messenger god, reports to Calypso “Zeus…[said]…his [Odysseus’s] fate is not to die here, far from friends” (Book V). Upon this news, Calypso releases control of Odysseus to return home to Ithaca.
Another female who represents overpowering feminine power is Athena. At first, Athena is the one who convinces Zeus to set free Odysseus from Calypso’s grasp. “Athena…answered Zeus… ‘But brave Odysseus’ fate does break my heart…are you Olympus’ lord not moved my this?’” (Book I) Here, Athena is rivaling the king of Olympus, Zeus, by appealing to his compassionate side. What must be understood is that it is Zeus who caused Odysseus to land on the island after Zeus punished Odysseus’ men for eating some of Helios, the sun god’s, sacred cattle. For Zeus to sway in decision presents the concept that men are not always sure in themselves as someone in power is supposed to be. The fact that...
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