Patriarchy In Homer's The Odyssey

Patriarchy…patriarchy is the system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. Patriarchy plays a huge role within the book The Odyssey by Homer, which includes several examples based on the interactions and relationships between men and women in the story. During this time period, in 800 B.C, the ancient Greeks limited the feminine populace to hardly any power. Their duties were to stay home, take care of the children, cook, or follow orders that were told. As for the men, they had free will and didn’t hesitate anything that came to their mind. For example, they would have multiple affairs with or without their wife’s knowledge, give unnecessary commands because they felt obligated to do so; they would roam wherever their hearts desired and most of all, males …show more content…
Patriarchy is the system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. Patriarchy plays a huge role within the book The Odyssey by Homer, which includes several examples based on the interactions and relationships between men and women in the story. When we take a look at how faithful Penelope and Odysseus licentious behavior, we can see how patriarchy and gender inequality are played in the epic. Society finds it okay for men to take control over the women by mistreating them, misusing them and for them to have affairs. Women are taught to expect this from men or their husbands, but women are not expected of this behavior. It is not tolerated one bit. If women had affairs, their sins could never be forgiven. Patriarchy is so strong during this time that even a mother’s son can take control and demand orders. In book 1, Telemachus orders his mother to leave and continue working back in her room. This is how we can understand how during this time ancient Greece is very