"An Ancient Gesture" vs. The Odyssey--Heroism
The Odyssey by Homer depicts heroism as only possible out and about, in wars, in great journeys, etc., while “An Ancient Gesture” by Edna St. Vincent Millay speaks to that theme, making heroism a broader idea that can be shown even at home. The two different gender perspectives provide insight on both sex’s roles in society, which impact how they show heroic qualities and attributes. By appealing to a feminist approach, Millay reveals Penelope to be the hero in her story, while The Odyssey describes Odysseus's epic feats and his eventful journey home as heroic, embodying his aspects as heroism, providing little information on Penelope’s obstacles and her heroism at home.
Stories of the great Odysseus’ …show more content…
“An Ancient Gesture” by Edna St. Vincent Millay challenges The Odyssey’s depiction of heroism being a manly and out of home experience, describing Penelope’s faithfulness and actions to fend off the suitors at home as truly being heroic. This poem describes a young lady wiping her tears and then thinking how “Penelope did this too” (An Ancient Gesture. 2). Her affirmation of how Penelope also did this seems to be a consolement to herself, reassuring herself that crying didn’t show weakness, Penelope did it and she is a hero. “An Ancient Gesture” provides a different view of the events surrounding Odysseus’s homecoming; the story of what is happening at home. Millay begins by describing Penelope’s many struggles; how she “[weaves] all day” and “[undoes] it all through the night” (AAG. 3, 4). She describes how shocked and-- in an unbelieving way-- in awe she is of how Penelope, through all her seemingly pointless efforts to remain faithful, she still does it, and the author is in awe of how she remains resolute and steady to Odysseus. The way that Millay focuses on Penelope exhibiting these characteristics, she describes Penelope as a hero, though her tasks could be described as menial, and her actions as average and unextraordinary. Millay disagrees, describing the act of crying itself as “an ancient gesture, authentic, antique/ In the very best tradition, classic, Greek” (AAG. 11, 12). This segways to a slight repetition
The Odyssey by Homer depicts heroism as only possible out and about, in wars, in great journeys, etc., while “An Ancient Gesture” by Edna St. Vincent Millay speaks to that theme, making heroism a broader idea that can be shown even at home. The two different gender perspectives provide insight on both sex’s roles in society, which impact how they show heroic qualities and attributes. By appealing to a feminist approach, Millay reveals Penelope to be the hero in her story, while The Odyssey describes Odysseus's epic feats and his eventful journey home as heroic, embodying his aspects as heroism, providing little information on Penelope’s obstacles and her heroism at home.
Stories of the great Odysseus’ …show more content…
“An Ancient Gesture” by Edna St. Vincent Millay challenges The Odyssey’s depiction of heroism being a manly and out of home experience, describing Penelope’s faithfulness and actions to fend off the suitors at home as truly being heroic. This poem describes a young lady wiping her tears and then thinking how “Penelope did this too” (An Ancient Gesture. 2). Her affirmation of how Penelope also did this seems to be a consolement to herself, reassuring herself that crying didn’t show weakness, Penelope did it and she is a hero. “An Ancient Gesture” provides a different view of the events surrounding Odysseus’s homecoming; the story of what is happening at home. Millay begins by describing Penelope’s many struggles; how she “[weaves] all day” and “[undoes] it all through the night” (AAG. 3, 4). She describes how shocked and-- in an unbelieving way-- in awe she is of how Penelope, through all her seemingly pointless efforts to remain faithful, she still does it, and the author is in awe of how she remains resolute and steady to Odysseus. The way that Millay focuses on Penelope exhibiting these characteristics, she describes Penelope as a hero, though her tasks could be described as menial, and her actions as average and unextraordinary. Millay disagrees, describing the act of crying itself as “an ancient gesture, authentic, antique/ In the very best tradition, classic, Greek” (AAG. 11, 12). This segways to a slight repetition