The Myth Of Atalanta Analysis

A Woman in A Man’s World
“The Myth of Atalanta” is an insightful tale that has been around since the times of the archaic age of Greeks and Romans tackling the controversy of gender. Since the Neolithic Age, gender specific roles were put into place. Men detained most of the occupations that required constant intellectual power and muscles, while women did all the laissez-faire work that did not put their lives in jeopardy. Men were perceived to be better than women in every aspect of life in the beginning ages of the world, and even today in the 21st Century. This extensive battle of the sex can be seen throughout history, and illustrated in many forms of literature. The story of Atalanta splendidly illustrates the theme of gender issues …show more content…
Not every sentence may play a significant role in the story’s development, but every event that takes place is important. In “The Myth of Atalanta” the events of the story reveals the message of the writer. The first event that indications a gender issue happens when Atalanta tries to venture on the expedition with the Argonauts. Jason turned her away, because he was afraid of the trouble a beautiful young woman might cause on the trip. Living in the modern era, one would insinuate that modern principles would be in place, but discrimination based on sex is still taking place in the world today. Women of today can relate to this situation Atalanta has faced that was based on her gender and appearance. Beautiful women are considered distractions instead of assets to the team, and in this case Jason turned away the one woman who is better than any man with a beautiful face. Furthermore, after Prince Meleager’s death Atalanta was warned by the oracle at Delphi that marriage would cause her whole nature to be changed. Atalanta’s warrior-like lifestyle would be traded in for the one thing her father’s neglect aid her to avoid; society 's true role of a woman. As a wife Atalanta would be within the restrictions of the average woman in that era. This warning by the oracle gives the readers an insight to the real impending doom of Atalanta; man. Being controlled within a marriage by a man would entirely change the way Atalanta live her life. The last significant event of the story involves the conning Milanion and the Goddess, Aphrodite. Milanion going to Aphrodite for help to win the race was an apparent expression of gender issues. Milanion going to Aphrodite to get help, confirms man’s determination to always concur and submit a woman. Milanion could not accept defeat from a woman, so he sealed his victory by using a weakness known for women to distract