During the times of Odyssey and Gilgamesh women were not seen in the same light as men. Women often occupied other positions such as vixens, and stay at home wives. Although women occupied different roles in from men, they still held a large amount of influence and power. By examining these three epics, you will also come to find another important aspect: hospitality. Hospitality is an important part of honor, relationships, and social exchange within these three different societies.
Odyssey
Role of women
One of the most prominent roles that women played was the position of a seductress or temptress. These women and their love became a problem and ultimately caused delays in Odysseus’s journey. Some very clear examples in the epic were …show more content…
She often lies to the suitors to get them to do what she wants them to do by claiming that she will marry which ever suitor that gives her the best gifts. Penelope also proves to be almost like her husband when she tricks the suitors claiming that she will choose one once she finishes a burial shroud for Laertes, her father-in-law. Every night she undoes the weaving she has done for the day. The trick worked until some of her house servants caught her. Another example of Penelope’s tricks, is her promise to marry any suitor that can string and shoot Odysseus's bow which she knew could only be done by …show more content…
In this epic, their main roles are to be servants, and fill the needs of the men. The Epic of Gilgamesh was a representation of how the women were perceived by this society of men. The first women mentioned in the epic Gilgamesh is Aruru which was the goddess of creation. Aruru was often used by higher gods to take care of what was wrong in Mesopotamia. There were complaints from other gods pertaining to how Gilgamesh ruled his kingdom. The Gods pressured Aruru to make a man ‘equal’ to Gilgamesh in attempts to stop Gilgamesh’s arrogance. Aruru designed Enkidu out of clay with the hopes that somehow Enkidu and Gilgamesh would become close and Gilgamesh would leave Uruk forever. Since it is known that only women are capable of creating life, Aruru represents the value and respect the men in this society had for
Odyssey
Role of women
One of the most prominent roles that women played was the position of a seductress or temptress. These women and their love became a problem and ultimately caused delays in Odysseus’s journey. Some very clear examples in the epic were …show more content…
She often lies to the suitors to get them to do what she wants them to do by claiming that she will marry which ever suitor that gives her the best gifts. Penelope also proves to be almost like her husband when she tricks the suitors claiming that she will choose one once she finishes a burial shroud for Laertes, her father-in-law. Every night she undoes the weaving she has done for the day. The trick worked until some of her house servants caught her. Another example of Penelope’s tricks, is her promise to marry any suitor that can string and shoot Odysseus's bow which she knew could only be done by …show more content…
In this epic, their main roles are to be servants, and fill the needs of the men. The Epic of Gilgamesh was a representation of how the women were perceived by this society of men. The first women mentioned in the epic Gilgamesh is Aruru which was the goddess of creation. Aruru was often used by higher gods to take care of what was wrong in Mesopotamia. There were complaints from other gods pertaining to how Gilgamesh ruled his kingdom. The Gods pressured Aruru to make a man ‘equal’ to Gilgamesh in attempts to stop Gilgamesh’s arrogance. Aruru designed Enkidu out of clay with the hopes that somehow Enkidu and Gilgamesh would become close and Gilgamesh would leave Uruk forever. Since it is known that only women are capable of creating life, Aruru represents the value and respect the men in this society had for