Women in the Odyssey are often seen as second class citizens with no identity of their own and those women that are in power are seen as extensions of their husbands. However, many of them are cunning and clever and have more influence than they are given credit for.
Women in the world and time of the Odyssey are given little to no character development and are shown to have little to no political power and opportunities compared to men. When a woman is introduced in the Odyssey it is mainly her beauty, appearance and social standing, mainly in relation to her husband, that is described first and her personality is often left for us to determine based on clues later in the text. For example when Helen is introduced only her “striking” beauty …show more content…
She is also often talked down to by men, including her own son, “So mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks” (pg. 89), even though she is royalty, for the sole fact that she is a woman. Other women of high standing are also shown to have little political power regardless of their rank. For example, Arete is the Queen of the Phaeacians but is inside weaving while her husband is out dealing with politics. “Her mother sat at the hearth / spinning yarn / Her father she met as he left to join the lords at a council.” (pg. 170). The palace of the Phaeacians is also said to be bustling with feasters but all are men and the women are resigned to weaving and other menial tasks. “Some fifty serving-women in his house: some turning the handmill / weave their webs or sit and spin their yarn,” (pg. 182).The Goddess Calypso, who by all means should be in a position of power is also held in a lower standard because she is a woman. Calypso is used by Odysseus until he tires of her and then is promptly shunned once she doesn’t meet his fancy anymore. “Since the nymph no longer pleased,” (pg. 157). Calypso also …show more content…
An example of this is Athena who, even though she is below Zeus power wise, still influences his decisions greatly through use of flattery. “High and mighty King / lofty heart / Olympian Zeus,” (pg. 79). Other women in the world of the Odyssey also use their cunning and guile to outsmart men, such as Penelope who “deceived us [the suitors] blind” (pg. 96) by weaving a shroud for Laertes and promising that once she finished it she would pick a husband but instead unwound it every night unbeknownst to the suitors. This is a remarkably cunning and intelligent move for a woman that was shown on the surface to be immensely sad and broken down. Other women have power in sometimes unseen ways, such as Arete, Queen of the Phaeacians. Although she is resigned to housework while her husband deals with politics, it is shown that she may be far more powerful than outwardly apparent. “She lacks nothing in good sense and judgement- she can dissolve quarrels, even among men, whoever wins her sympathies,” (pg. 181). This shows that Arete is a mediator in many situations and that those who have her favor have a huge advantage politically. This is also shown when Odysseus is told by Nausicaa that the way to win her father's favor is to win her mother's first. Although Calypso points out the hypocrisy of the Gods, she is unable to do anything about it due to the patriarchal
Women in the world and time of the Odyssey are given little to no character development and are shown to have little to no political power and opportunities compared to men. When a woman is introduced in the Odyssey it is mainly her beauty, appearance and social standing, mainly in relation to her husband, that is described first and her personality is often left for us to determine based on clues later in the text. For example when Helen is introduced only her “striking” beauty …show more content…
She is also often talked down to by men, including her own son, “So mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks” (pg. 89), even though she is royalty, for the sole fact that she is a woman. Other women of high standing are also shown to have little political power regardless of their rank. For example, Arete is the Queen of the Phaeacians but is inside weaving while her husband is out dealing with politics. “Her mother sat at the hearth / spinning yarn / Her father she met as he left to join the lords at a council.” (pg. 170). The palace of the Phaeacians is also said to be bustling with feasters but all are men and the women are resigned to weaving and other menial tasks. “Some fifty serving-women in his house: some turning the handmill / weave their webs or sit and spin their yarn,” (pg. 182).The Goddess Calypso, who by all means should be in a position of power is also held in a lower standard because she is a woman. Calypso is used by Odysseus until he tires of her and then is promptly shunned once she doesn’t meet his fancy anymore. “Since the nymph no longer pleased,” (pg. 157). Calypso also …show more content…
An example of this is Athena who, even though she is below Zeus power wise, still influences his decisions greatly through use of flattery. “High and mighty King / lofty heart / Olympian Zeus,” (pg. 79). Other women in the world of the Odyssey also use their cunning and guile to outsmart men, such as Penelope who “deceived us [the suitors] blind” (pg. 96) by weaving a shroud for Laertes and promising that once she finished it she would pick a husband but instead unwound it every night unbeknownst to the suitors. This is a remarkably cunning and intelligent move for a woman that was shown on the surface to be immensely sad and broken down. Other women have power in sometimes unseen ways, such as Arete, Queen of the Phaeacians. Although she is resigned to housework while her husband deals with politics, it is shown that she may be far more powerful than outwardly apparent. “She lacks nothing in good sense and judgement- she can dissolve quarrels, even among men, whoever wins her sympathies,” (pg. 181). This shows that Arete is a mediator in many situations and that those who have her favor have a huge advantage politically. This is also shown when Odysseus is told by Nausicaa that the way to win her father's favor is to win her mother's first. Although Calypso points out the hypocrisy of the Gods, she is unable to do anything about it due to the patriarchal