The Image of Women in The Iliad
The Iliad by Homer is an epic ancient Greek poem that focuses on the Trojan and Achaeans War which lasted ten years in Troy. Agamemnon, the King Mycenae returns Chryseis, the daughter of Priest Chryses after a plaque hits them by Apollo and only Briseis is captured. Agamemnon evokes a heated argument with Achilles, the most powerful warrior over Briseis, the prize of honor for Achilles. Agamemnon is envious as he gets no recognition by the Achaeans for the battles won. Menelaus, the King of Sparta wife Helen is abducted by Paris, Hector’s youngest brother. Helen incited the war between the Trojans and Achaeans, but the Achaean later retreated. Hector, the Prince of Troy burns the ships of the Achaeans forcing them to withdraw. In doing so, Hector kills Patroclus, Achilles close friend and the war between the Achaeans and Trojans resumed. Examining Books 2, 3,9,22 and 24 of The Iliad from a feminist perspective the reader sees how Homer portrays the unfair treatment of women from the times of Ancient Greece through cultural inequality of women and male dominance. This is evident through the characterization of Andromache, Hecuba and Helen in The Iliad.
Andromache also referred to as the White-armed is a seen as a patriarchal woman throughout the poem because she has internalized the norms and values of patriarchy. She identifies with the patriarchal ideologies of the “good women” complying with traditional gender …show more content…
Even though patriarchal ideology has been present from ancient times it still prevails in our society today through social Medias and different agencies. Patriarchy has been programmed in many young women and girls today as Lois Tyson states in her Feminist Theory. All of us women are in the recovering process from patriarchy. I strongly support those women who demand equality in the social, political and economical
The Iliad by Homer is an epic ancient Greek poem that focuses on the Trojan and Achaeans War which lasted ten years in Troy. Agamemnon, the King Mycenae returns Chryseis, the daughter of Priest Chryses after a plaque hits them by Apollo and only Briseis is captured. Agamemnon evokes a heated argument with Achilles, the most powerful warrior over Briseis, the prize of honor for Achilles. Agamemnon is envious as he gets no recognition by the Achaeans for the battles won. Menelaus, the King of Sparta wife Helen is abducted by Paris, Hector’s youngest brother. Helen incited the war between the Trojans and Achaeans, but the Achaean later retreated. Hector, the Prince of Troy burns the ships of the Achaeans forcing them to withdraw. In doing so, Hector kills Patroclus, Achilles close friend and the war between the Achaeans and Trojans resumed. Examining Books 2, 3,9,22 and 24 of The Iliad from a feminist perspective the reader sees how Homer portrays the unfair treatment of women from the times of Ancient Greece through cultural inequality of women and male dominance. This is evident through the characterization of Andromache, Hecuba and Helen in The Iliad.
Andromache also referred to as the White-armed is a seen as a patriarchal woman throughout the poem because she has internalized the norms and values of patriarchy. She identifies with the patriarchal ideologies of the “good women” complying with traditional gender …show more content…
Even though patriarchal ideology has been present from ancient times it still prevails in our society today through social Medias and different agencies. Patriarchy has been programmed in many young women and girls today as Lois Tyson states in her Feminist Theory. All of us women are in the recovering process from patriarchy. I strongly support those women who demand equality in the social, political and economical