Comparing Women In The Aeneid And The Gospel Of Mark

Women in the Gospel of Mark are seen breaking free of their societal limitations as women. They are no longer submissive or passive to demands of a male dominated society. Although The Aeneid and the Gospel of Mark both show women defying the traditional view of women in a male dominated society, Virgil and Mark have distinct ways of portraying women such that in The Aeneid, women are portrayed as ones who are often controlled by their emotion which leads them to take irrational decisions, hindering a man’s success, whereas in the Gospel of Mark, women are depicted as ones who take control of their life and prove to be a positive contributor to Jesus and his life. In The Aeneid, women are seen as an impediment to a man’s success which renders …show more content…
The relationship between women and Jesus depicts an element of mutual respect. “While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured ointment on his head” (Mark.14:3). The woman pouring pricely ointment on Jesus’s head depicts that the woman recognizes Jesus’ god-like existence which is plays a pivotal role in his life since he is indicated as the messiah. The women is seen as breaking the traditional view in a male dominated society. She was not submissive to the demands of her society. She stood up for what she believed in. Her decision on applying a costly ointment on Jesus’ head was questioned by others. However, Jesus said “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She had performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial” (Mark. 14:6-8). The woman showed respect toward Jesus and in return Jesus respected her by standing up for