Throughout history, women have always been seen as the weaker sex, submissive and obedient to men. The Odyssey is an epic poem that follows the adventures of Odysseus, the hero, while he sailed to his home in Ithaca. Along the way, he meets hostile beings and deities, and is tested again and again by the gods. After twenty years and after losing all of his men, he finally returns home to his son and wife. In Homer’s The Odyssey, women may be portrayed as powerful and complex, but upon closer inspection they fit into three narrow roles: a mother, as aides, or a seductress to the hero, reflecting the obedience and dependence of women on men in Greek society. Mothers are recurring figures in The Odyssey, appearing frail, and in need for
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Athena is constantly helping Odysseus and Telemachus. “As she spoke she touched him with her golden wand. First she threw a fair clean shirt and cloak about his shoulders; then she made him younger and of more imposing presence; she gave him back his colour, filled out his cheeks, and let his beard become dark again,” (Homer, Book 16) Here, Athena makes Odysseus young and she presents him to Telemachus, his long lost son. Athena is constantly helping out Odysseus for no apparent reason. This reflects that fact that women are often serving men, only because they are women. Also, when Odysseus scares Circe into freeing his men, she orders her servants to serve Odysseus and his men. “Meanwhile her four servants, who are her housemaids, set about their work. They are the children of the groves and fountains, and of the holy waters that run down into the sea. One of them spread a fair purple cloth over a seat, and laid a carpet underneath it. Another brought tables of silver up to the seats, and set them with baskets of gold, (Homer, Book 10). In Greek society, women were expected to serve men. Here, Circe’s maids serve the men like they were kings, because it is their job as …show more content…
Calypso, Circe and even Penelope are examples of this archetype. Although they are powerful and trick men into getting what they want, they all must comply to the rules of a male-dominated world. It is clearly shown when Hermes tells Calypso that she must let Odysseus go. Calypso retorts“And now you are angry with me too because I have a man here. . . .I got fond of him and cherished him. . . . Still, I cannot cross Zeus,” (Homer, Book 5). Calypso has fallen in love with Odysseus and is heartbroken that she has to release him. Sadly, even a goddess like her has to do what the male gods say. Calypso must bend to her sexist society’s principles, and what men want. Penelope was making a burial shroud for Odysseus, promising to marry one of the suitors when she finished, only to destroy what she did everyday. As Antinous says to Telemachus “This three years past, and close on four, she had been driving us out of our minds, by encouraging each one of us, and sending him messages without meaning one word of what she says,” (Homer, Book 2) She, like a Siren calls out with fake promises of love, exploiting the desire of the suitors for her personal gain, which is to not get married. Ultimately, even Penelope’s actions are for Odysseus, as these two challenges postponed Penelope’s marriage and allowed Odysseus enough time to reclaim his kingdom. As powerful and strong Penelope may be, everything she did was for Odysseus. While
Athena is constantly helping Odysseus and Telemachus. “As she spoke she touched him with her golden wand. First she threw a fair clean shirt and cloak about his shoulders; then she made him younger and of more imposing presence; she gave him back his colour, filled out his cheeks, and let his beard become dark again,” (Homer, Book 16) Here, Athena makes Odysseus young and she presents him to Telemachus, his long lost son. Athena is constantly helping out Odysseus for no apparent reason. This reflects that fact that women are often serving men, only because they are women. Also, when Odysseus scares Circe into freeing his men, she orders her servants to serve Odysseus and his men. “Meanwhile her four servants, who are her housemaids, set about their work. They are the children of the groves and fountains, and of the holy waters that run down into the sea. One of them spread a fair purple cloth over a seat, and laid a carpet underneath it. Another brought tables of silver up to the seats, and set them with baskets of gold, (Homer, Book 10). In Greek society, women were expected to serve men. Here, Circe’s maids serve the men like they were kings, because it is their job as …show more content…
Calypso, Circe and even Penelope are examples of this archetype. Although they are powerful and trick men into getting what they want, they all must comply to the rules of a male-dominated world. It is clearly shown when Hermes tells Calypso that she must let Odysseus go. Calypso retorts“And now you are angry with me too because I have a man here. . . .I got fond of him and cherished him. . . . Still, I cannot cross Zeus,” (Homer, Book 5). Calypso has fallen in love with Odysseus and is heartbroken that she has to release him. Sadly, even a goddess like her has to do what the male gods say. Calypso must bend to her sexist society’s principles, and what men want. Penelope was making a burial shroud for Odysseus, promising to marry one of the suitors when she finished, only to destroy what she did everyday. As Antinous says to Telemachus “This three years past, and close on four, she had been driving us out of our minds, by encouraging each one of us, and sending him messages without meaning one word of what she says,” (Homer, Book 2) She, like a Siren calls out with fake promises of love, exploiting the desire of the suitors for her personal gain, which is to not get married. Ultimately, even Penelope’s actions are for Odysseus, as these two challenges postponed Penelope’s marriage and allowed Odysseus enough time to reclaim his kingdom. As powerful and strong Penelope may be, everything she did was for Odysseus. While