Reflecting On and Contrasting Ancient Greece’s Gender Roles in Literature
Sandra Day O’Connor once said that “society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to learn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.” Unfortunately, in Ancient Greek society, the rights and mobility of women were constricted. Greek poems often discussed the mistreatment and disrespect of women. Sappho used the treatment of women as a subject in several of her poems, while Homer’s writing subconsciously echoed his culture’s attitudes towards genders. The poems from Ancient Greece generally reflected how Greek women were merely objects and men were expected to be masculine; however, some of the poems contradicted their gender roles suggesting that not everyone was content with the patriarchy.
The objectification of women was common in Greek literature. Sappho felt very strongly about the demeaning portrayal of women. In “One Girl,” Sappho …show more content…
Most men realize that women are not objects that are at their disposal; however, women are very sexualized and are used to sell products. There are high beauty standards set for women as well as men. The wage gap still exists. White women make about 75% of what their male counterparts make and Hispanic women make about 50% of their white male counterparts. Additionally, some third world countries still treat women the way that Europe treated women in ancient civilizations. The patriarchy dominated Ancient Greece’s lives and it still dominates the world today. The Greek poets represented their culture 's gender expectations, whether or not they did so intentionally. Hopefully, modern authors will be able to shed light on the struggles against the patriarchy and help smash it once and for
Sandra Day O’Connor once said that “society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to learn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.” Unfortunately, in Ancient Greek society, the rights and mobility of women were constricted. Greek poems often discussed the mistreatment and disrespect of women. Sappho used the treatment of women as a subject in several of her poems, while Homer’s writing subconsciously echoed his culture’s attitudes towards genders. The poems from Ancient Greece generally reflected how Greek women were merely objects and men were expected to be masculine; however, some of the poems contradicted their gender roles suggesting that not everyone was content with the patriarchy.
The objectification of women was common in Greek literature. Sappho felt very strongly about the demeaning portrayal of women. In “One Girl,” Sappho …show more content…
Most men realize that women are not objects that are at their disposal; however, women are very sexualized and are used to sell products. There are high beauty standards set for women as well as men. The wage gap still exists. White women make about 75% of what their male counterparts make and Hispanic women make about 50% of their white male counterparts. Additionally, some third world countries still treat women the way that Europe treated women in ancient civilizations. The patriarchy dominated Ancient Greece’s lives and it still dominates the world today. The Greek poets represented their culture 's gender expectations, whether or not they did so intentionally. Hopefully, modern authors will be able to shed light on the struggles against the patriarchy and help smash it once and for