How are the Odyssey’s themes applicable today even though the culture at the time it was written is so separated from the culture of the 21st century? The Odyssey is one of two ancient Greek poems written by Homer. Written in the 15th century, the way The Odyssey portrays women and their values greatly differs from the way society views women today. In “The Great Rooted Bed,” Eurycleia, the nurse of Penelope rushes up to Penelope’s quarters to tell her that Odysseus has returned home. As much as Penelope would like to believe that her husband has returned and defeated the suitors, she is cautious and goes to the great hall to see for herself. Odysseus shows Penelope his scar but this is not enough proof for her. To assure herself of Odysseus'
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He built the bedroom around the tree and would know that the bed cannot be moved. When Odysseus becomes upset that the original bed may have been destroyed, Penelope is relieved and accepts him as her long-absent husband. In Book 23 of the Odyssey, “The Great Rooted Bed,” Homer uses hyperbolic diction and syntax to portray an old fashioned culture in which women idolize men because society finds them to be the inferior sex. Homer uses hyperbolic diction and syntax to portray the sexist culture of the time throughout the Odyssey. Odysseus begins to have enough of Penelope’s tests and starts to get fed up with her. Recognizing that it truly is him, Penelope bursts out, “Odysseus- don’t flare up at me now, not you, always the most understanding man alive!” The selection of the word “most” in the context of what’s happening, demonstrates the values of …show more content…
Homer is displaying that women used to idolize men, as Penelope refers to Odysseus as “the most understanding man alive.” The author is showing that even when Odysseus is getting mad with Penelope, she still feels she needs to refer to him as such a hero. Later in the Book, Penelope is deciding on whether or not to accept this person as Odysseus. In this passage, the staccato syntax used by Homer portrays Penelope as an indecisive, weak willed woman because she is so worried about accidentally “betraying” him. Society doesn’t take the negative portrayal of women to heart in the Odyssey, but we continue to read it because of the lessons that can be learned from its unique
He built the bedroom around the tree and would know that the bed cannot be moved. When Odysseus becomes upset that the original bed may have been destroyed, Penelope is relieved and accepts him as her long-absent husband. In Book 23 of the Odyssey, “The Great Rooted Bed,” Homer uses hyperbolic diction and syntax to portray an old fashioned culture in which women idolize men because society finds them to be the inferior sex. Homer uses hyperbolic diction and syntax to portray the sexist culture of the time throughout the Odyssey. Odysseus begins to have enough of Penelope’s tests and starts to get fed up with her. Recognizing that it truly is him, Penelope bursts out, “Odysseus- don’t flare up at me now, not you, always the most understanding man alive!” The selection of the word “most” in the context of what’s happening, demonstrates the values of …show more content…
Homer is displaying that women used to idolize men, as Penelope refers to Odysseus as “the most understanding man alive.” The author is showing that even when Odysseus is getting mad with Penelope, she still feels she needs to refer to him as such a hero. Later in the Book, Penelope is deciding on whether or not to accept this person as Odysseus. In this passage, the staccato syntax used by Homer portrays Penelope as an indecisive, weak willed woman because she is so worried about accidentally “betraying” him. Society doesn’t take the negative portrayal of women to heart in the Odyssey, but we continue to read it because of the lessons that can be learned from its unique