Women Stereotyped in Literature
Niceness, kindness, and smartness are often seen in women in modern literature and
society, but women once were tortured by stereotypes of stupidity, weakness and greed in
the past. Two representative myths, The Norse Myths and Genesis prove this to be true.
In “The Theft of Idun’s Apples” of the Norse Myths, the goddess Idun is portrayed to be
so innocent but weak and stupid that she easily gets tricked and kidnapped by the god Loki,
who needs to take her to Bifrost as compensation to a giant, Thiazi. The myths states how
easily she believes Loki’s lie about a beautiful golden apple in Bifrost and follows him into
captivity as follows:
‘Idun, it bears golden apples,’ he said, jabbing with his forefinger at one of the apples …show more content…
‘The same as yours. And perhaps, like yours, they contain unending youth.
We should take them at once for the gods.’ Idun smiled and nodded in agreement.
Don’t forget your own apples. We must compare them,’ said Loki, and he led the way
over the sunlit field and out of Asgard. (K. Crossley, 1981. The Norse Myths: pg 40)
Another Nordic goddess, Freyja is embodied with the stereotypes of greediness and
lack of moral and conscience. This is most remarkable in “Freyja and the Necklace of
Brisings.” Freyja finds a cave of jewelry made by dwarfs one day, and falls in love with a
beautiful golden necklace there. When the dwarfs refuse her payment of gold and
silver and request her to sleep with all the dwarfs who own it instead, she complies with
the demand obediently.
‘Only if you will lie one night with each of us will this necklace ever lie round your throat,’
said the dwarfs… ‘As you wish,’ murmured Freyja shamelessly. ‘As you wish. I am in
your hands.’ (K. Crossley, 1981. The Norse Myths: pg
Niceness, kindness, and smartness are often seen in women in modern literature and
society, but women once were tortured by stereotypes of stupidity, weakness and greed in
the past. Two representative myths, The Norse Myths and Genesis prove this to be true.
In “The Theft of Idun’s Apples” of the Norse Myths, the goddess Idun is portrayed to be
so innocent but weak and stupid that she easily gets tricked and kidnapped by the god Loki,
who needs to take her to Bifrost as compensation to a giant, Thiazi. The myths states how
easily she believes Loki’s lie about a beautiful golden apple in Bifrost and follows him into
captivity as follows:
‘Idun, it bears golden apples,’ he said, jabbing with his forefinger at one of the apples …show more content…
‘The same as yours. And perhaps, like yours, they contain unending youth.
We should take them at once for the gods.’ Idun smiled and nodded in agreement.
Don’t forget your own apples. We must compare them,’ said Loki, and he led the way
over the sunlit field and out of Asgard. (K. Crossley, 1981. The Norse Myths: pg 40)
Another Nordic goddess, Freyja is embodied with the stereotypes of greediness and
lack of moral and conscience. This is most remarkable in “Freyja and the Necklace of
Brisings.” Freyja finds a cave of jewelry made by dwarfs one day, and falls in love with a
beautiful golden necklace there. When the dwarfs refuse her payment of gold and
silver and request her to sleep with all the dwarfs who own it instead, she complies with
the demand obediently.
‘Only if you will lie one night with each of us will this necklace ever lie round your throat,’
said the dwarfs… ‘As you wish,’ murmured Freyja shamelessly. ‘As you wish. I am in
your hands.’ (K. Crossley, 1981. The Norse Myths: pg